How does the IDS application work in dispensing machines and what benefits does it bring?

Modern software with a functional management application turns vending machines into “smart” automatic warehouses that facilitate the distribution of supplies in the company and ensure accurate control of product flows. How does the IDS application work in vending machines? How does it promote efficiency in the plant? And what benefits does it bring to the company? Check it out!

What is an IDS application?

IDS – Integrated Distribution System– is the software of our ASD Systems dispensing machines, along with the application to manage them. At ASD Systems in Bielsko-Biala, we develop both the machines themselves and proprietary technological tools, supporting the processes of distributing materials and employee products in companies in various industries, including manufacturing and logistics.

The combination of IDS software with a dispensing machine provides maximum control over the distribution and consumption of materials, parts, products – and this translates into optimization of supply costs.

How does the IDS application work in the dispensing machines?

Running on a server, communicating via LAN or GSM, the IDS application provides machines with current, complete operational data on products, their categories and stock levels, as well as on employees’ authorizations to retrieve distributed materials and articles. Using a dedicated API, the dispensing machine connects to the IDS application on an ongoing basis, overseeing the integrity of the system, recording parameters and transmitting data on downloads, employees and products, which the system manager uses in his daily work.

All machines are authorized and connections are encrypted, secure. Our IT department adapts the application to the specifics and needs of the company – including various IT systems and ERP tools.

To use the IDS application, all you need is any device with Internet access and a browser. With a wide variety of functions, the application allows you to optimize distribution processes and warehouse operations, and supports the efficiency of work in various sectors of the company – in purchasing, production, health and safety or accounting departments.

What functions does the IDS application have?

• Real-time stock levels. The machine manager has constant and instant access to information on current stock levels of specific products given in real time. For minimum values he can set alerts: and easily take care of the continuity of distribution of goods.
• Granting access to products and download limits. In the IDS application, the administrator creates accounts and profiles for users and their groups – and to them he assigns permissions for the use of machines, he also gives employees access to specific products and sets limits for their downloads at a given time.
• Data reporting and filtering. The IDS application is a goldmine of data, and the filtering capability makes it easy to quickly find the ones you need at any given time. The tool automatically creates customized reports covering predefined data and sends them to the email addresses provided.
• Cost centers. The IDS application allows cost centers to be defined, with the employee already indicating a specific project or department when downloading the product, ensuring easy cost accounting within the company. The manager can also generate a report covering only a specific cost center.
• Modifiable loading schemes. In the application, the administrator will create editable loading diagrams, making it easier to replenish or operate machines. Each color in the scheme corresponds to a specific cell “value”, and the transaction history covering a specific machine is also displayed next to it.
• Modifiable menus and data import. The application’s menu, both during system setup and later, can be customized by adding groups, subgroups or product catalogs, photos and graphics. A smart importer automates data transfer from a file or via FTP.
• User permissions. Users of the vending machines can have various – defined – permissions, not only to retrieve products, but also to, among others, load, return products, correct their balances, authorize over-limit retrievals and returns, empty or service the feeder.

What are the benefits of dispensing machines with the app?

All these functionalities of the IDS application – combined with the use of vending machines – translate into numerous benefits for the company, including increased efficiency and quality of work, as well as financial savings. The organization of supplies becomes much faster and simpler, but at the same time the storage space needed is also reduced .

Accurate monitoring of product flows

Everything that generates costs in manufacturing companies is under control. User profiles allow you to closely monitor the consumption of products and materials by specific individuals, groups, departments or within a project, which reduces the risk of abuse such as misappropriation of company property. Access to specific products is available only to those employees who actually need them. At the same time, automatic distribution records and access to stock levels prevent situations in which necessary items are in short supply, and therefore work stoppages that generate huge costs.

Less product consumption and lower distribution costs

Specific products are used only by authorized employees, and in addition, they use them for a sufficiently long time thanks to the setting of download limits. This gives the advantage of reducing the consumption of products, so a big saving of resources. One person is enough to operate the entire system of vending machines – there is no need for stocking clerks on afternoon or night shifts, because thanks to the machines the employees themselves take the necessary products. The machines do not make mistakes – and this eliminates costly human errors. What’s more, they don’t get sick or take vacations.

Increased quality of work in many departments in the company

Access to detailed, error-free automatically collected data, the possibility of filtering it and generating practical reports and statements on its basis allows optimizing warehouse management and conducting an informed purchasing policy, and facilitates accounting in the company. On the one hand, automations with the application save the time of warehouse or procurement employees, reducing to a minimum the activities related to the handling of issues, and on the other hand, increase the efficiency of the work of the production department (quick access to products, materials), health and safety and purchasing, controlling and accounting, providing useful data and facilitating the organization of work.

We encourage you to contact our specialists: we will tell you more about the possibilities and advantages of our solutions in the context of your company – its specifics and needs.

FAQ:

• What are vending machines used for in a company?

These types of machines are used in companies as automatic warehouses – such as for distribution of MRO and consumables or parts, products, health and safety items or even office accessories.

• What functions does the vending machine software have?

Our proprietary IDS software with the application allows, among other things, to grant access to products to employees and limit downloads, as well as automatically generate reports and statements. The application gives quick access to inventory.

• How to order dispensing machines for supply distribution?

Feel free to contact ASD Systems specialists – our employee will prepare a customized offer for you and will take care of the development and implementation of a machine strictly tailored to the needs of the company.