Good Service Doesn’t Mean Frequent Service

Vending machines need regular servicing so that they are able to run smoothly and satisfy customer requirements continuously. Many operators service their vending machines only after it becomes 30% depleted or sold out one or more products.

You don’t have to wait till the machine becomes empty to keep the servicing costs low. Better service can be provided even with less frequent servicing of your Antares vending equipment. Given below are a few strategies to manage such efficiency:

#1. Increase the amount of the best selling products in your vending machine. Double up two or three such items that are rapidly selling out and on “space to sales” soda vending machines, give greater space to bestsellers.

#2. For the next few weeks, you need to monitor the sell outs so that you are able to recognize the products to be eliminated.

#3. Try to reschedule the Planet Antares vending machine for a 40-50% depletion level. For this, you will have to work towards scheduling it for service at a 30-60% longer interval.

For vending operators with mechanical vending equipment or less amount of time and technical support for gathering these metrics, there is the option for allowing the drivers to collect the data and making him prepare the service tickets. Such a ticket should include the following:

• How empty is the vending machine?

• Which products are selling best and the number of columns allocated to each?

• How many products have been sold out already?

Your drivers should focus on this information and get accurate figures for better servicing.
The manual route scheduling process can be automated with the help of software and latest technology. Your investment in such technology will enable higher efficiency and accurate results.

Two important types of vending route scheduling technology include the following:

a. Dynamic scheduling
This system allows you to automate the delivery schedule each day on the basis of various parameters like sell outs, number of days since last service and percent depletion. With dynamic scheduling, you can save company resources, driver’s time and fuel costs by avoiding any trips to locations that don’t require servicing of vending machines.

b. Remote monitoring
This system allows monitoring of real-time sales data. You will require other technology such as DEX, handheld, etc to remotely enable the machines. Servicing of vending machines in distant locations can be scheduled according to the information available.

These techniques will help you in not only reduced vending location visits but also in adding customers through better service without incurring more costs.