Benchmark celebrates 33 years in business

Benchmark celebrated 33 years in business today, September 13, 2018! Thank you to all of our customers and employees for a wonderful 33 years of working together!

Benchmark was founded on September 13, 1985 by Don Barnes. Benchmark opened its doors in Roswell, GA to banks of all sizes. In the early years, Benchmark provided proprietary banking equipment systems to banks. Back then, Benchmark provided refurbished equipment only, such as Bunker Ramo, IBM and ISC banking systems.

In 1996, Benchmark branched into more product offerings that we still offer today, such as the project services and software development divisions, repair services and additional bank branch equipment. In the early 2000s, PCs became more prevalent in branches which changed the peripherals offered. Benchmark opened multiple depot centers in the northeast to accommodate repairs and specialized projects in the area.

In 2003, check scanner opportunities boomed after the Check 21 Act was passed in 2002. Benchmark worked with multiple banks and manufacturers to develop and release the first RDC check scanner fulfillment program in 2006. Within 3 years of the fulfillment program launching, Benchmark shipped over 30,000 scanners to fulfillment customers. At this time, Benchmark branched into the new equipment market - adding to the refurbished market we were already in.

After recognizing an increased demand for cash recycler technology in the new branch environments, Benchmark developed the middleware solution CashWare in 2009. CashWare was developed to meet the need for software that would allow financial institutions to install any cash recyclers without having to change their teller applications. Since then, CashWare has been recognized by the manufacturers as a leading middleware product, and cash recycler manufacturers send us their latest technology to be CashWare certified.
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Benchmark's products, services and software solutions are always changing to accommodate the changing technology landscape in financial institutions. Benchmark has expanded its facility four times throughout the years - always increasing in size and allowing for more employees. We have been growing since 1985 and can't wait to see what the next 33 years looks like. When asked about working with Benchmark since the beginning, SVP of Technical Services Tim Stobbe said, "Over the years, we've continually adapted to changes in technology and to the needs of our customers. Every day is different, and there's never been a dull moment."