CAPE TOWN, South Africa and BROOKINGS, S.D. - The ATM Industry Association is revamping its awards system for 2005, according to a news release.

For the upcoming ATMIA Awards for Best ATM Technology 2005, the association's awards committee has appointed three respected and independent industry experts from Asia-Pacific, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Those judges will nominate award recipients for the association's membership as a whole, which includes more than 600 members, to consider.

The Best ATM Technology Award will be awarded in three categories - hardware, software and ATM security.

The judges are Ingo Noka, head of Visa International's Payment Security Services for Singapore-based Visa Asia Pacific; Brian McLean, a general-management team member for Johannesburg, South Africa-based Standard Bank; and Martin Lewis, secretary of the UK's ATM Crime Group and executive of policy for card services for London-based APACS, the UK's payments association.

"These names evoke respect in the industry in their respective regions because of their knowledge and experience," said Mike Lee, ATMIA's chief executive. "By selecting a shortlist of finalists, our judges will enable our members to choose the winners from the very best entries. The winners will know that they have impressed both a panel of experts and our worldwide membership body."

The remaining four awards will be judged by members of ATMIA. Those awards, and their judging bodies, include:

• Lifetime Achievement Award (individual) - which will be chosen by ATMIA's executive board from a shortlist that is approved by ATMIA's international board;
• Most Influential Member Award (individual) - which will be chosen by members of ATMIA from a shortlist approved by the international board;
• Best Contribution to Promoting the Interests and Growth of the Industry (individual and organizational) - which will be chosen by members of ATMIA from a shortlist approved by the executive board;
• and the Global ATM Security Alliance Award for Best Contribution to ATM Crime fighting - which will be chosen by GASA's executive committee.

The following criteria will be considered for all award recipients: long-term positive influence on improving the industry, excellence in technology or levels of service, leadership in applying best practices, and specific and measurable achievements that produce tangible results.

The purpose of the awards, which are being presented in association with ATMmarketplace, is to reward and recognize excellence in the industry, Lee said.

A list of past ATMIA award winners is available on all regional ATMIA Web sites under Honor Roll.

To be considered for an award, or to nominate an individual or company, send a written submission of at least 500 words to Mike Lee, mike@atmia.com, by Sept. 21. The submission should explain why the applicant or nominee is worthy of receiving an award in a selected category.

A nomination form is available online at ATMIAconferences.com.