NCR Voyix

NCR Voyix Corporation
Company type	Public
Industry	Technology, Software, Consulting
Predecessor	NCR Corporation
Founded	January 1, 1884; 142 years ago in Dayton, Ohio, United States
Founder	John H. Patterson
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	James G. Kelly (CEO)
Products	Software, consulting services, self-service kiosks, point-of-sale systems, ATMs, check processing equipment, barcode scanning technology
Number of employees	14,000 (2024)

NCR Voyix Corporation, previously known as NCR Corporation and originally as National Cash Register, operates globally as a provider of software, consulting, and technology solutions. Its offerings encompass professional services and electronic devices such as self-service kiosks, point-of-sale systems, automated teller machines (ATMs), check processing equipment, and barcode scanning technology.

Established in Dayton, Ohio, in 1884 by John H. Patterson, the company initially dominated the cash register market before diversifying into computing equipment. By 1991, NCR had become the fifth-largest computer manufacturer worldwide. That same year, AT&T purchased NCR for $7.4 billion.

After AT&T’s corporate reorganization in 1996 and the subsequent spin-off of Lucent Technologies, NCR was reconstituted as an independent entity on January 1, 1997. In June 2009, the company moved its headquarters from Dayton to the Atlanta metro area near Duluth, Georgia. A new global headquarters facility opened in Midtown Atlanta in early 2018, strategically located close to Technology Square and Georgia Tech.

In October 2023, NCR Corporation divided into two publicly traded companies: NCR Voyix, which assumed NCR Corporation’s legal identity, and NCR Atleos, which specializes in the ATM segment.

As of 2024, NCR Voyix reported revenues of $2.87 billion and a net profit of $957 million. The organization employs roughly 14,000 staff members worldwide under the direction of CEO James G. Kelly. The company’s strategic focus centers on advancing retail automation and financial transaction technologies to sustain competitive positioning and drive growth across international markets.

Early years

The origins of the company trace back to Dayton, Ohio, where the National Manufacturing Company was founded to produce the first mechanical cash register, invented by James Ritty in 1879. In 1884, brothers John Henry Patterson and Frank Jefferson Patterson acquired both the company and its patents, renaming it the National Cash Register Company (NCR). John Patterson revolutionized NCR into one of America’s early modern enterprises by implementing assertive sales techniques and creating the first formal sales training school in 1893, alongside extensive employee welfare initiatives.

Prominent early contributors included Thomas J. Watson, Sr., Charles F. Kettering, and Edward A. Deeds. Watson was initially dismissed by Patterson in 1914 but later returned to become general sales manager; he introduced the famous THINK motto that would gain iconic status at IBM, a company he led after leaving NCR.

Kettering was responsible for pioneering the first electrically powered cash register in 1906 and engineered the Class 1000 model that remained in production for forty years. He also developed the O.K. Telephone Credit Authorization system used for credit verification in department stores. Deeds and Kettering subsequently founded Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco Electronics), which eventually integrated into General Motors.

By 1913, NCR commanded a significant market share but encountered legal scrutiny under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Although authorities secured a conviction against the company, executives succeeded in softening some regulatory consequences through appeals.

American Selling Force

When John H. Patterson and his brother assumed control, cash registers were expensive (around US$50), and only a limited number of "Ritty's Incorruptible Cashier" devices were operational. Patterson anticipated that demand would increase once retailers understood the machine's ability to curb employee theft. To capitalize on this, he created the "American Selling Force," a commission-driven sales team that followed a uniform script known as the "N.C.R. Primer," recognized as the first formal sales training guide. This approach focused on marketing the functional benefits to businesses rather than merely promoting the equipment itself. Demonstrations took place in hotel rooms designed to mimic store settings, complete with actual products and cash. Potential customers, referred to as "P.P." ("Probable Purchasers"), were engaged by addressing their concerns and illustrating losses from theft with visual charts before concluding sales through symbolic agreements.

Patterson also established the inaugural structured sales training school, initially named "Sugar Camp," and was an innovator in direct mail marketing with targeted initiatives such as the "Get a Receipt" campaign, among the earliest advertising efforts worldwide.

Welfare Work

Under John Patterson’s leadership, NCR earned the reputation of being "America's model factory" due to its comprehensive welfare programs, with Patterson often hailed as the "father of industrial welfare." The company maintained a dedicated welfare division and was at the forefront of early corporate welfare movements in the United States.

The initiatives included installing safety mechanisms, providing drinking fountains, baths, lockers, ergonomic seating for machine operators, indoor restroom facilities, and ventilation systems to ensure clean air. Female staff members received special accommodations such as designated restrooms, reduced working hours, supportive high-back chairs, a separate dining area for women, and domestic science education. In 1893, NCR introduced "daylight factory" designs featuring expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that enhanced natural lighting and airflow.

Expansion

By 1888, NCR had evolved into a multinational corporation through rapid growth and acquisition of numerous smaller cash register companies between 1893 and 1906. By 1911, it had sold one million cash registers and employed close to 6,000 workers. Founder John Patterson’s assertive business tactics—including litigation and purchasing over 80 competitors—helped NCR capture 95% of the U.S. market share.

In 1912, NCR along with key executives such as Patterson, Deeds, and Watson were found guilty under the Sherman Antitrust Act for engaging in monopolistic practices and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. Although public opinion was sympathetic due to their relief efforts following the 1913 Great Dayton Flood, their convictions remained until being overturned on appeal in 1915 because of procedural issues.

During World War I, NCR secured a government contract to manufacture 100,000 M1911 pistols for the U.S. Army; however, this order was canceled prior to delivery when the war concluded.

By 1922, NCR had sold two million cash registers. After Patterson’s death that same year, the company went public in January 1926 with a $55 million stock issuance—the largest in U.S. history at that point. Throughout both World Wars, NCR diversified its production lines to include fuses, aircraft instruments, aero engines, bomb sights, and cryptographic devices.

US Navy Bombe, code breaking machine

NCR developed the American bombe for the U.S. Naval Computing Machine Laboratory during World War II to decrypt messages encoded by the German Enigma machine. These devices operated at speeds six times faster than their British counterparts and were manufactured at an output of roughly two units per week by late 1943, reaching a total production of about 125 machines. This technological advancement bolstered NCR’s standing as an innovator in defense technologies and reinforced its position as a leader in wartime manufacturing efforts.

Post-war

Leveraging its wartime experience in communication and cryptographic machinery, NCR became a significant force in the post-war computing and communications sectors.

In 1953, NCR chemists Barrett K. Green and Lowell Schleicher secured a patent for "Pressure responsive record materials," which was commercialized as NCR Paper, a carbonless copy paper product. That same year, NCR expanded by acquiring the Computer Research Corporation (CRC), creating a dedicated electronics division. In 1956, the company introduced the Class 29 Post-Tronic bank machine utilizing magnetic stripe technology. Collaborating with General Electric, NCR unveiled its first transistor-based computer, the NCR 304, in 1957. The company also led innovations in MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) technology and launched the NCR 3100 accounting machines during this period.

The 1962 debut of the NCR 315 Electronic Data Processing System featured the groundbreaking CRAM storage device—the first automated substitute for manual magnetic tape libraries. Smaller systems such as the NCR 390 and 500 computers supported multiple input formats including magnetic ledger cards and punched tape. NCR’s initial all-integrated circuit computer, the Century 100, appeared in 1968, followed by the Century 200 in 1970 and Century 300 in 1973. The Criterion series, introduced in 1976, represented NCR’s first implementation of a virtual machine system.

Within its operations, NCR created the 605 minicomputer to operate accounting machines, controllers, and COBOL environments, accommodating peripherals like disk subsystems and communication processors.

In 1974, NCR’s scanners and computer systems enabled the inaugural commercial application of the Universal Product Code (UPC) at Marsh Supermarket near Dayton, Ohio—an important milestone in retail technology adoption.

By 1982, NCR’s Peripheral Products Division partnered with Shugart Associates to develop the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), which standardized communications between peripherals such as disks and printers. NCR produced the pioneering SCSI interface chip, the NCR 5380. That same year saw the launch of the NCR/32, a 32-bit VLSI processor architecture implemented in their 9x00 series and System 10000 computers.

By 1986, consolidation had reduced the American mainframe computer industry from eight manufacturers to four: IBM, Unisys, NCR, and Control Data Corporation. The company officially adopted the name NCR Corporation in 1974.

Small computers

In 1982, NCR introduced open systems architecture with the UNIX-based TOWER 16/32, selling approximately 100,000 units. These systems in the 5000-series utilized Motorola 68k processors and ran NCR’s proprietary transaction processing system TMX, primarily serving financial institutions. This product line marked NCR’s return to reseller distribution channels for the first time since the early twentieth century. The OEM Systems Division, formed in 1981, propelled design innovation, revenue growth, and market penetration of the Tower family by recruiting seasoned professionals from Data General, DEC, and Datapoint to lead sales and marketing initiatives.

Throughout the 1980s, NCR offered various PC-compatible AT-class machines such as the NCR-3390 "intelligent terminal," which ran a customized version of MS-DOS (NCR-DOS) supporting CPU speeds up to 10 MHz alongside an enhanced NGA graphics adapter tailored for business applications.

Additionally, NCR developed two proprietary mini-to-midrange computer lines:

I-Series: including models like 9010 (IDPS OS), 9020/9100 (IMOS), 9040/9050 (IRX), as well as System 10000 models running ITX OS—interactive systems compatible with TTY terminals and industry-standard protocols.
V-Series: models such as 8500 and 9800 operating on VRX OS; these systems resembled mainframes with "Page mode" terminals but shared hardware similarities with I-Series while featuring distinct operating systems and interfaces.

In 1990, NCR released the System 3000 family powered by Intel’s 386 and 486 processors. These high-end systems utilized IBM’s Micro Channel architecture along with SCSI peripherals. Through its subsidiary Applied Digital Data Systems, NCR offered the System 3600 supporting Pick and Prime operating systems.

NCR’s expansion into ATMs began with the Model 5070 in 1983 at its Dundee facility. Later models included the 5084 and Personas (58xx) series. In early 2008, it launched the SelfServ 662x/663x ATM series. Presently, NCR commands over one-third of the worldwide ATM market, facilitating cash withdrawals exceeding $18 trillion annually. Its expertise also led to contracts with U.S. military agencies to produce specialized machines supporting the Eagle Cash program.

NCR 5xxx series

The NCR 5xxx lineup marks NCR's introduction of its ATM range in the early 1980s. Originally produced at the Dundee facility in Scotland, manufacturing later extended to various international locations.

Notable iterations comprise:

50xx-series: Launched in 1983, this series included models such as the 5070 designed for interior vestibules and the 5080, a Through The Wall (TTW) unit. These ATMs were among the first to adopt a modular construction, simplifying maintenance tasks. The 5080 incorporated a smoked perspex screen with anti-vandal properties that shielded the keypad until a card was inserted. The upgraded 5084 TTW model from 1987 enhanced protection against vandalism and removed the retracting screen mechanism. The 5085 model introduced fundamental deposit features with envelope storage intended for later back-office handling.
56xx-series: Manufactured between 1991 and 1997, these machines featured color displays, heightened security measures, and usability improvements such as Media Entry Indicators (MEI) to highlight card entry points. During NCR's brief ownership by AT&T (1994–1996), some models carried the "AT&T" branding. Variants included the 5670 for interior cash dispensing, 5675 multifunction lobby units, exterior TTW dispensers like the 5684, drive-up multifunction 5688, and exterior multifunction 5685 models.
58xx-series ("Personas", 1998–2008): This generation expanded ATM functionalities with innovations such as intelligent deposit without envelopes using automated check recognition, coin dispensing capabilities, and electronic cash validation to enable immediate transaction completion. A transition from CRT to LCD screens occurred during this period. Models encompassed the compact interior dispenser 5870, cash accept and deposit unit 5873, exterior TTW dispenser 5874, and multifunction TTW configurations like the 5875. Starting in 2000, the M-Series introduced features including cash recycling, coin dispensing, barcode scanning, larger 12-inch LCD touchscreens, and a uniform wall footprint suitable for multifunction (5886) or single-function (5887) devices. Addressing the rise of drive-through banking, the specialized 5890 drive-up ATM incorporated dual safes to handle both currency dispensing/acceptance and check/envelope deposits without requiring a separate bunker.

NCR 66XX series

The sixth generation of NCR ATMs focused on advanced deposit intelligence and broadened secondary functionalities such as barcode scanning.

The 667x-series, part of the Personas M-Series (2005–2010), featured models like the interior lobby multifunction 6676 and through-the-wall multifunction 6674. The design of the 6676 included a clamshell-style front cover to facilitate easier installation and maintenance access.

NCR Self-Serv 20 and 30 series

Debuting in 2008, this series represented a comprehensive redesign emphasizing cost-effectiveness. The Self-Serv 20 series comprised single-function cash withdrawal machines, whereas the Self-Serv 30 series offered full-function devices supporting both cash withdrawal and intelligent deposit processing.

NCR Atleos 668x / 20xx machines

Beginning in 2015, NCR refreshed its SelfServ portfolio with the MFR (Multi-Function Refresh) design approach, moving from the earlier 20/30 series to the new 80 Series lineup: including the kiosk-style 6681, lobby model 6682, through-the-wall 6684, and island or drive-through variant 6688. These units integrated next-generation dispensers and depositors, high-definition displays, and built-in anti-skimming technology as standard features. In 2021, NCR introduced the 206x and 208x models incorporating cash recycling technology.

Acquisition by AT&T

On September 19, 1991, AT&T Corporation completed the acquisition of NCR for $7.4 billion and subsequently merged it with Teradata Corporation in early 1992. By the close of 1992, NCR's workforce numbered 53,800 employees. Despite generating revenues of $7.265 billion that year, the company recorded a net loss of $1.287 billion and continued to experience financial setbacks through 1995, necessitating financial support from AT&T. During this period, the employee count declined to 41,100 by the end of 1995. AT&T maintained its position as NCR’s largest client, contributing over $1.5 billion in revenue.

In a notable international transaction in 1995, NCR divested its microelectronics and storage systems units to Hyundai Electronics (currently SK Hynix).

The company was rebranded as AT&T Global Information Solutions in 1994 but restored its original name in early 1996 ahead of its separation from AT&T. This spin-off was designed to eliminate conflicts of interest since many of NCR’s prospective clients were competitors of AT&T’s communications business. The move enabled NCR to concentrate on its primary markets with focused leadership.

For its reestablishment as an autonomous entity on January 1, 1997, NCR enlisted the acclaimed graphic designer Saul Bass to develop a new logo and corporate identity as part of its strategic rebranding.

Teradata merger and spin-off

NCR initially formed a partnership with Teradata in 1990. Following AT&T's acquisition of NCR, Teradata was also brought under the same umbrella and integrated into NCR’s operations. Mark Hurd assumed leadership of the Teradata division in 1999, enhancing profitability by streamlining processes and investing in research initiatives. By 2002, the division had achieved profitability. In 2007, NCR spun off Teradata as a separate public company.

Independence

After regaining independence from AT&T, NCR executed several important acquisitions including Compris Technologies in July 1997, which specialized in software for restaurant chains, and Dataworks Inc., a San Antonio-based software provider acquired in November 1997.

In 1998, NCR collaborated with the Montgomery County Historical Society to safeguard the extensive NCR Archive, transferring three million items to the Society's Research Center by 1999.

That same year marked a strategic shift as NCR divested its computer hardware manufacturing operations to Solectron, refocusing its efforts on retail and financial sectors. In 2000, it acquired Ceres Integrated Solutions, a customer relationship management firm, along with services provider 4Front Technologies. Subsequent acquisitions included self-service technology companies Kinetics, InfoAmerica, Galvanon, and software developer DecisionPoint. In April 2003, NCR added Copient Technologies—a retail marketing software company—to its portfolio.

CEO Lars Nyberg stepped down in February 2003; Mark Hurd succeeded him as CEO in March. Under Hurd's leadership, cost reduction strategies and operational reforms doubled the company's stock value within one year and solidified NCR’s position as a leader in premium data-warehousing software.

Bill Nuti's management

In 2006, NCR broadened its offerings by acquiring software firm IDVelocity and Tidel’s ATM manufacturing division, strengthening its footprint in retail cash security solutions. On January 8, 2007, NCR announced plans to spin off Teradata into an independent entity; Bill Nuti remained president and CEO of NCR while Teradata was led by Senior Vice President Mike Koehler. The spin-off concluded on October 1, 2007.

Early in 2007, NCR restructured its ATM manufacturing units by eliminating 1,100 jobs across Dundee (Scotland) and Waterloo (Ontario). The Dundee facility closed in 2009 alongside plants in São Paulo and Budapest due to global economic challenges.

NCR ventured into digital media with the introduction of NCR Xpress Entertainment kiosks in 2007 and acquired Touch Automation LLC that same year. In 2008, it established a global reseller alliance with Seattle-based software company Experticity.

The corporation relocated its headquarters from Dayton, Ohio—its base for over a century—to near Duluth, Georgia in 2009. That year also saw NCR become North America’s second-largest operator of DVD kiosks through acquisitions of The New Release and DVD Play. In 2010, it expanded further by acquiring digital signage provider Netkey.

A significant strategic acquisition took place in August 2011 when NCR purchased Radiant Systems for $1.2 billion, incorporating Radiant’s hospitality and retail technologies into new business segments. Several key executives from Radiant joined NCR’s leadership team; however, some had departed by 2014.

In August 2012, allegations surfaced regarding violations of U.S. sanctions against Syria involving NCR activities, resulting in negative impacts on its stock price.

NCR sustained growth through further acquisitions: it acquired Retalix for around $650 million in February 2013 to enhance its retail software capabilities; followed by the purchase of Digital Insight for $1.65 billion in January 2014 to bolster online and mobile banking solutions targeting mid-sized financial institutions.

In September 2016, Mark Benjamin joined as president and COO bringing over two decades of experience in human resources management and reporting directly to CEO Bill Nuti.

This era highlights NCR’s strategic emphasis on expanding digital services and software expertise through focused acquisitions and organizational restructuring to preserve competitive strength worldwide.

Headquarters relocation and corporate restructuring

In January 2018, NCR shifted its main corporate office from the vicinity of Duluth, Georgia to a newly established location at 864 Spring St NW in Midtown Atlanta, GA 30308.

By April 2018, Mike Hayford was appointed as CEO, guiding NCR through a strategic transformation toward becoming a technology provider focused primarily on software and services rather than hardware.

In October 2018, NCR finalized the acquisition of payment processor JetPay, which allowed the company to offer integrated POS and payment solutions aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.

The year 2019 marked NCR's announcement to develop a new campus in Belgrade, Serbia, as part of its efforts to broaden global operations.

In January 2021, NCR agreed to purchase ATM operator Cardtronics for $2.5 billion, significantly strengthening its presence in the ATM service market.

October 2021 saw the inauguration of NCR’s largest European IT hub and campus located in New Belgrade, Serbia.

On September 16, 2022, NCR revealed plans to separate its Digital Commerce and ATM divisions into two standalone entities. This division was finalized on October 16, 2023, resulting in the Digital Commerce segment being named NCR Voyix and the ATM segment designated as NCR Atleos.

On August 6, 2024, NCR Voyix reached an agreement to divest its cloud-based digital banking unit to Veritas Capital for $2.45 billion. The transaction received approval from NCR Voyix's board and is anticipated to close by the end of 2024 subject to regulatory clearance. This platform has been recognized as an innovator in online and mobile banking services.

Offerings and capabilities

NCR concentrates its research and development efforts within three primary centers: Atlanta (specializing in retail technologies), Dundee, Scotland (focused on financial sector solutions), and Waterloo, Ontario. Additional R&D locations include Beijing, Cebu, Philippines, Belgrade, Serbia, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as several Indian sites such as Puducherry, Chengalpattu, and Hyderabad. Manufacturing facilities situated in Beijing, Budapest, Puducherry, and Chengalpattu serve as key regional export points.

Equipment

Platforms for item processing (primarily check handling): models 7780, iTRAN series (8000/300e/180e), TS
Computer systems: System 3000
Point of Sale (POS) hardware designed for retail and food service sectors including displays, printers, touchscreens, terminals, and scanners
- NCR Silver: a comprehensive POS solution compatible with iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch devices
- Self-checkout terminals (formerly FastLane), now branded as NCR SelfServ Checkout
Self-service machines such as ATMs and kiosks (EasyPoint, Personas, SelfServ)
Server models: S1600, S2600, System 5000, Tower
Fuel retail POS systems: Optic 12 and Optic 5

Service offerings

Electronic business solutions
Training and educational programs
IT infrastructure management and support services
Payment processing capabilities
Retail technology innovations
Self-service platform development

NCR Self-Service division

NCR Self-Service specializes in developing self-service hardware and software tailored for travel industry applications. Notable products include TouchPort II C for airline check-in processes and ResortPort catering to hospitality needs. Its Common Use Self-Service technology facilitates streamlined passenger check-in through shared access kiosks. Originally established as Kinetics in Lake Mary, Florida, this subsidiary became part of NCR following its acquisition in 2004.

Discontinued Products

Class 1000 register
Class 2000 bank posting machine (1922–1973)
NCR 2170 Retail System POS terminal and associated software
NCR Voyager SMP computing platform (preceding Intel SMP technology)
Electronic Shelf Labels (RealPrice; production ceased in 2008)
EasyPoint Mini touchscreen device (originally developed by Copient Technologies)
ATM series including Class 50xx, 56xx (4th generation), and 58xx/667x (5th generation)

Executive Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: James G. Kelly (February 2025 – present)
Chief Executive Officer: David Wilkinson (October 2023 – February 2025)
Chief Executive Officer: Michael Hayford (April 2018 – October 2023)
Chief Executive Officer: Bill Nuti (August 2005 – 2018)
Chief Executive Officer: Mark Hurd (2003–2005)
Chief Executive Officer: Lars Nyberg (1996–2003)
Chief Executive Officer: Jerre Stead (1993–1995, during the period when the company was renamed AT&T GIS)
Chief Executive Officer: Charles E. Exley, Jr. (1983–1993)
Chief Executive Officer: William S. Anderson (1973–1984)
Chief Executive Officer: Robert S. Oelman (1962–1973)
Chief Executive Officer: Stanley C. Allyn (1957–1962)
Chief Executive Officer: Edward A. Deeds (1931–1957)
Chief Executive Officer: Frederick Beck Patterson (1922–1931)
Chief Executive Officer: John H. Patterson (1884–1922)
Interim CEOs: Jim Ringler (2005), Bill O'Shea (1995), Gil Williamson (1993)

External Links