NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation is a leading global enterprise technology provider for the financial services, retail, and hospitality industries. Founded in the late 19th century, the company pioneered early business machines and evolved into a dominant force in transaction processing and self-service technology. Its extensive portfolio includes hardware, software, and services that power consumer transactions worldwide, from banking to commerce.

History

The company was established in 1884 as the National Cash Register Company by John H. Patterson in Dayton, Ohio, revolutionizing retail with the first mechanical cash register. Under Patterson's leadership, it became renowned for its aggressive sales force and innovative manufacturing techniques, significantly influencing modern salesmanship and industrial training. In the 20th century, it diversified into accounting machines and early computers, becoming a major player during the mainframe computer era through systems like the NCR 304. The company weathered the IBM-dominated market and later shifted focus to specialized transaction processing systems, database technology, and retail store automation. A pivotal moment was its 1991 acquisition by AT&T, after which it was known as AT&T Global Information Solutions before regaining independence in 1997. The 21st century has seen its transformation into a software- and services-led provider, culminating in its 2023 spin-off of its ATM and point of sale businesses into a new public entity, NCR Atleos.

Products and services

The corporation's offerings are centered on enabling digital commerce and self-service across key industries. For the financial services sector, it provides a comprehensive suite of banking software, digital banking platforms, and fraud detection solutions, alongside a legacy in ATM hardware. In retail and hospitality, its technology includes advanced POS systems, self-service kiosks for ordering and checkout, and back-office management software for inventory control and customer engagement. Its cloud computing platform, NCR Voyix, delivers these applications as a service, while its professional services arm offers implementation, support, and managed services. Key product lines have historically included the NCR Tower series of minicomputers and the NCR 9900 microprocessor.

Corporate affairs

The company is incorporated in Maryland and maintains its global headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NCR". Leadership has included notable figures such as former CEO Charles Exley Jr., who steered the company in the 1980s, and current CEO Michael D. Hayford. Its operations are global, with significant research, development, and manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving clients in over 160 countries. The corporation has faced various challenges, including significant litigation in the early 20th century under the Sherman Antitrust Act and more recent cybersecurity incidents affecting its software supply chain.

Acquisitions and divestitures

A key component of the company's strategy has been an active history of mergers and acquisitions to expand its technological capabilities and market reach. Major acquisitions include the 1991 purchase of Teradata, a leading data warehousing firm, and the 2018 acquisition of Cardtronics, the world's largest ATM operator. Other significant purchases have been Radiant Systems, Aloha Technologies, and Digital Insight, bolstering its hospitality, retail, and online banking portfolios. Conversely, major divestitures include the 2007 spin-off of Teradata as an independent company and the 2023 separation of its ATM and retail point of sale hardware businesses into the independent, publicly traded company NCR Atleos.

See also

* Diebold Nixdorf * Fujitsu * IBM * Toshiba * Unisys * History of computing hardware * Point of sale

Category:Companies based in Atlanta Category:Technology companies of the United States Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange