Vending is not only about selling!

Vending machines can be found in various places: in hospitals, offices, schools, universities, airports, stations, at stops or in squares in the busiest and most connected parts of the city. They are usually owned by external companies that sell them through them .

We throw in a coin or present a card and buy a product or … service!

Vending machines offer coffee, cold drinks and snacks, but also, for example, ticket machines, parking meters, photo services, telephone booths and parcel lockers!

In the traditional definition, vending is not only fast, automatic sale without a seller. It is also an automated distribution or supplying people with the products they need. With the help of vending machines, you can also simply issue almost any items, e.g. to the company’s employees .

A brief history of vending

Some people see the origins of vending at the dawn of our era. It turns out that it was then that a device was invented that, after tossing in a coin, issued … a portion of holy water (the “machine”, of course, was used by the faithful in the temple). It may be an exaggeration to say that this was the first vending machine, but the fact is that such devices are not invented by the 21st century .

Vending, on the other hand, began to develop intensively in the second half of the 20th century.

In developed countries (especially in Great Britain and the USA) vending machines (i.e. vending machines ) with … almost everything started to appear . Using the machine, you could buy, among others stationery, stamps, cigarettes and snuff, chewing gum, food, drinks, books, cards, souvenirs (there are many examples!). 

Today, vending machines sell or distribute various items – from hot meals and drinks, through electronic equipment, to tools and auxiliary materials, health and safety products and office supplies in companies.

Vending, or automation

Vending was by definition and from the beginning of its history a way of automation. The key to success was the self-service of the machine – convenient for the customer and at the same time profitable for the owner who did not have to waste his time or hire sellers.

However, in the 21st century, this vending automation has jumped to the next level!

Technological development made it possible to create software and applications for vending machines. These turn out to be useful not only for sellers – i.e. owners of vending machines, but also for optimizing warehouse processes in a company – e.g. in a medium or large production plant.

Vending today is a good way not only for business, but most of all for warehouse automation and distribution of products for employees . The machines download, among others, equipment, tools, protective equipment, clothing and auxiliary or consumables. And that saves a lot of time and money!

Vending from ASD Systems

At ASD Systems (in Bielsko-Biała), we design and manufacture dispensing machines for the internal needs of companies, enterprises (especially employee distribution). The offer includes various models of vending machines – adapted to dispensing different groups of products and in several versions of the software (with different functions). 

What they have in common is IDS proprietary software and a management application . Their combination translates into efficient distribution and warehouse management, generates savings of up to 50% (for employee supply) and allows for the implementation of a conscious, optimal procurement policy.

How does ASD Systems vending work?

One machine or the entire network can be installed in an enterprise. Only one person and a device with Internet access are needed to operate the machines .

Employees are identified by the machine (e.g. via a proximity card) and can pick up the necessary product on their own, in a few seconds, at any time of the day or night.

A team of suppliers, labor-intensive inventory of the warehouse, mistakes in manual records, large warehouse space, lack of necessary products, downtime, financial losses – you can forget about all of this with ASD machines! 

How vending ASD Systems saves money?

The key to saving with ASD machines is the software and the application – they offer completely new possibilities that improve distribution and optimize the entire warehouse management!

• Limited access. Each employee may be granted access only to those articles that are necessary for him at his workplace. The problem of unauthorized downloads, misappropriation of products or misuse of products disappears.
• Download limit. In addition, access may be limited by time limits – employees must use the equipment properly, responsibly and take care of its good technical condition. This minimizes the rapid wear of the products.
• Cost centers. It is worth assigning employees to cost centers. In this way, when downloading a given product, they can indicate the place where the cost arose (e.g. department or project), and thus facilitate subsequent settlements in the company.
• Current data. In the IDS application, the manager can see, for example, inventory levels and information on product and employee downloads. Of course, all information is provided in real time and without errors!
• Practical reports. The application also allows you to create various statements and reports and automatically send them to individual people. This facilitates communication between the warehouse and departments: incl. purchasing, controlling, finance and accounting.  
• Alerts for products. Alerts can be triggered for a minimum number of products to replenish (or order) items on time and prevent shortages.
• Smaller warehouse. Capacious and configurable vending machines can completely replace the needed storage space.

FAQ:

Vending – what is it or is it just selling products? 

No, vending is not only about selling products, but also services (e.g. ticket machines, parcel lockers and parking meters). Moreover, vending does not have to be used only for sales. This means that it is also suitable for the distribution of products within the company, e.g. employee supply.

How can vending be used in the company?

In companies, vending is used to automate the warehouse. With the help of machines, you can, for example, give employees tools and equipment, clothing, health and safety products, protective equipment, auxiliary and consumables, and even office supplies.

Is it worth using vending in an enterprise?

Of course! ASD Systems vending machines are equipped with software and an application that is used to manage them. In this way, you can allocate access to products to employees and monitor their flow, as well as facilitate settlements between company departments. We have calculated that investing in vending in the company translates into 50% savings on employee supplies!