Vending telemetry offers remote monitoring via the Internet
Vending telemetry enables companies to manage their business more effectively - an example of how Comtech telemetry solutions can be applied to vending
Lack of real-time status information from vending machines leads to slow response to field problems. Increase operational efficiency and customer service through a vending telemetry solution, which can overcome these problems.
Comtech offer M2M telemetry solutions, which enable our customers to monitor and control their on-site equipment via the Internet. These are generic products that can be applied to the vending telemetry market.
Automatic Vending Background
Automatic vending refers to sales from machines, which are available to dispense a range of goods and services 24 hours a day, every day, on the insertion of either coins or an electronic card. This includes retail selling of "goods" such as food and beverages, snacks, confectionery, cigarettes and items of general merchandise, e.g. toiletries, hygiene products and sports goods. Coin and card operated "services" include ticket-issuing machines, photo booths, photocopiers, amusement machines, etc.
Business Challenge for vending telemetry
The challenge for vending telemetry lies with meeting the needs of vending machine manufacturers, brand owners, service operators and site managers. Unknown stock levels and machine status restrict sales through down time. Lack of information results in both over and under maintenance resulting in in-efficient operations, logistics, route planning, stock control and replenishment where it is difficult to prioritise visits. Vending telemetry changes the way business is conducted.
- Brand owners need to deliver a consistent level of quality and prevent fraudulent use of the brand image.
- Service operators need to minimise cash shrinkages.
- Machine manufacturers do not want to support problems through the use of incorrect brands and consumables
- Site managers doe not want downtime issues and associated complaints.
Communication solution example - Vending Telemetry
Comtech offer communication solutions from simple modems through to off-the-shelf telemetry systems suited to many markets. Vending experts (OEMs and VARs) can system integrate our communication products with their vending "know how" to create a vending telemetry specific solution for end users.
| Solution | Description example | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Modem | Traditional Wireless GSM / GPRS modems "transport" card authorisation, audit (DEX, EVADTS) or proprietary vending protocols between machine and central application servers via the GSM/GPRS network. Note: these are "transported" rather than "integrated" within the modem. |
|
| I/O modem | An intelligent modem where monitoring of equipment status and alarms within the vending machine can be reported by SMS e.g. door open, stock empty, temperature low, water low, alarm, etc. | |
| TCP/IP modem | An intelligent modem that under control of the vending machine can log vending usage, status, transactions and alarms into a file that can be e-mailed or transferred to a file server for use with a central application. | |
| End-to-End M2M telemetry system | M2M telemetry system. An end-to-end monitoring system that under control of the vending machine can automatically gather stock status, sales information, alarms & maintenance data. The telemetry system provides administration, alarm notification (SMS, Email) and graphical reports. It enables remote update of network & machine configuration including price and advertising content for integrated displays. |
µWEAVE |
Related Links
Telemetry Products
Benefits of vending telemetry adoption
- Efficient operations resulting in fewer journeys, ensuring that the machines are never empty.
- Fast response to field problems in order to minimise downtime
- Inventory profiling in order to reduce stock holding and optimise the supply chain and logistics.
- High quality product with consistent delivery to maximise revenues through brand control
- Enables improved customer service through high quality, few problems and less complaints
- Vending telemetry provides greater profitability
- Audit trail for machine revenues
Further information
Call us on +44 (0)1204 664333 or email sales@comtechm2m.com to discuss your remote vending telemetry needs.
