Why VirtualATM Is the Future of ATM Testing

Mastercard’s recent announcement of its collaboration with NCR Atleos and ITCARD to promote contactless ATM use marks a significant shift in how consumers interact with cash machines. By leveraging Mastercard's Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM), users can authenticate themselves via their mobile device before tapping the ATM - eliminating the need for a physical card or PIN and reducing transaction time by over 20%. 

As ATM fleet owners and processors race to meet this evolving technology, the ability to test and validate contactless ATM transaction processing becomes mission-critical. That’s where Paragon Application Systems’ VirtualATM platform really shines. 

The Mastercard initiative aligns with broader industry trends: a recent ATMIA report forecasts rising demand for contactless and cardless transactions, enhanced customer experience, and increased security across ATM networks. 

Built for the Contactless Future 

Paragon’s VirtualATM already supports full EMV processing for both contact and contactless cards, including intelligent NFC card reader interactions. This means financial institutions and ATM deployers can quickly and easily simulate and test the specific use cases that Mastercard and its partners are now promoting. VirtualATM also offers added capabilities such as 24/7 access for remote testers and multiple automation options.

Automation That Accelerates Innovation 

VirtualATM offers flexible automation capabilities, including record/playback and data-driven scripting, allowing testers to set up and run thousands of scenarios across multiple ATM configurations. This is especially valuable when rolling out new features like contactless EMV processing, where testing speed, accuracy, and security are critically important.  

With support for remote testing, cloud deployment options, and integration capabilities with CI/CD pipelines, VirtualATM enables QA teams the flexibility and accessibility to test anytime, anywhere, reducing operational bottlenecks and accelerating time-to-market for new features like contactless EMV processing. 

Real-World Benefits for ATM Fleet Operators 

• Faster Testing Cycles: Automated regression tests can be scheduled overnight, freeing up resources and reducing delays. 

• Improved Accuracy: VirtualATM captures detailed logs, screen comparisons, and ATM-to-host communication traces to ensure every test is accurate and complete. 

• Scalable Infrastructure: Need to test across multiple ATM models or software versions? Simply clone existing VirtualATM images and scale up instantly. 
  
  
• Security & Compliance: With support for Remote Key Loading and EMV standards, VirtualATM ensures secure testing environments that meet industry requirements.

By virtualizing ATM testing and leveraging automation, organizations can reduce lab hardware costs significantly - as explored in our analysis of cost savings at scale. 

Supporting The Future—Today 

As Mastercard pilots CDCVM-enabled ATMs in Poland and prepares for global rollout, ATM deployers across the globe must be ready to test and validate this new consumer transaction experience. Paragon’s VirtualATM has been specifically designed and built to support this kind of innovation. 

If your organization still relies on legacy technology tools and manual ATM testing processes, it is time to consider the many advantages that ATM virtualization and automation can provide. Faster test execution, expanded coverage, improved quality, increased control and collaboration, as well as remote access to the ATM test environment, will help your developers, testers, and QA resources be successful today and into the uncharted future. 

By embracing VirtualATM, banks and ATM operators can confidently test and deploy contactless, mobile-authenticated ATM experiences that meet the expectations of today’s sophisticated and demanding digital-first consumers. 

It’s time to invest in a modern testing platform that will help keep your ATM fleet available, secure, and compliant - while also helping your organization to consistently deliver a superior consumer experience at the lowest cost. 

Are you interested in learning more about how to virtualize and optimize your ATM testing operations? Paragon has extensive knowledge and experience providing innovative ATM testing solutions to the financial services industry. Contact us today to learn more.