How can work clothes be distributed to employees?

There are several ways, and usually each company “designs” such a process “in its own way” – adapting it to the specificity of work or possibilities. In general, workwear is distributed by employees responsible for supplies or warehouse operations . In some plants, they are employed on their own from time to time to collect clothes and the rest of the necessary equipment. This, however, raises several problems.

• Collections of workwear should be recorded on an ongoing basis – after all, it is a tax deductible cost. However, employees do not always comply with this obligation.
• Work clothes must not be missing – otherwise some work may not be possible. And this is associated with the need for periodic inventory of the warehouse, for which time is needed and which is not always consistent with the actual state.
• Work clothing should only be used at work and in a responsible manner. If every employee has unlimited free access to the warehouse, there may be problems with “disappearing” clothes, for which the employer has to pay for.
• Workwear must be available regardless of the shift, and this translates into the need for people responsible for procurement 24/7.
• If the release of workwear is not regulated and registered in the company, problems with its settlement arise, especially when all employees are divided into different departments or projects.

All these problems of the traditional distribution of workwear (but also health and safety articles or protective equipment) are solved by vending machines .

How do automatic workwear dispensers work?

At ASD Systems, we specialize in the automation of distribution processes in companies with workwear, health and safety articles, protective equipment, equipment and tools. We offer several variants of dispensing machines, from which you can choose the one that works best in terms of the type and size of the products dispensed. Regardless of the model, all machines operate on a similar principle.

1. The garment dispenser needs an identifying solution. It can be, for example, a proximity card reader. The employee applies the card, the system identifies him and allows him to perform a given activity, e.g. take clothes.
2. After prior configuration of the system, the employee can immediately indicate the place where the cost is generated – e.g. a specific department, sector or project. The system saves this data.
3. Then the employee selects the appropriate item (e.g. trousers) using e.g. a touch panel or button and receives the product.
4. If an employee has selected the wrong product by mistake, they may return it. Such situations can also be excluded by assigning employees only to a few specific products they need.
5. Data on product downloads are updated in real time in the software of vending machines. 
6. The machines are replenished in three different ways (e.g. through a door or a drum scanning system). You can set alerts for minimum and maximum values.

How are vending machines dispensing work clothes managed?

All our workwear dispensers are equipped with our proprietary IDS software and application. One person and any device with Internet access are needed to manage the entire machine system in the company.

• In the IDS application, the manager can keep track of stock levels. If a product is about to run out, it receives an alert and replenishes the machine.
• IDS software allows you to assign employees to products – only those that are needed for their work.
• You can also set a limit of product downloads in the system – e.g. per month.
• The data in the IDS application is always presented in real time. They apply to all products and all employees. They can also be filtered almost freely.
• From the IDS application level, you can create various reports and statements and set commands for their automatic sending to people from various departments (e.g. finance or accounting).

What are the savings generated by vending machines for work clothes?

Our calculations show that the automation of processes such as the issuing of workwear can generate up to 50% savings on supplies. What’s more, apart from just reducing the consumption of products, the company saves money for the working time of at least a few people!

• Employees have 24/7 access to workwear. The work of several people responsible for the supply is performed by automatic machines.
• The warehouse is under constant control – without the obligation to inventory or manually record product downloads!
• 50% reduction in product consumption – thanks to limiting the number of downloads and narrowing down the products available to employees.
• Simplifying the organization of procurement – thanks to alerts and access to inventory. This translates into a complete lack of downtime (due to the unavailability of a certain product) and the implementation of an effective, informed procurement policy.
• Reduction of warehouse space – all supplies in one or more vending machines!

FAQ:

How much do vending machines dispensing work clothes cost?

One product cell costs only a few dozen zlotys. The price of the machine depends on the model and version – basic or pro – i.e. functionality. What’s more, other types of products can also be placed in the clothing vending machine – from health and safety, through personal protective equipment, to auxiliary materials. 

How do vending machines that deliver occupational health and safety and work clothes work?

Downloading the product from the vending machine is as simple as presenting the card (or using a different solution for identification), indicating the place where the cost is generated (optional, but very useful function), selecting the product and picking it up.

How are vending machines dispensing work clothes managed?

Via software and application (IDS in ASD Systems vending machines). It contains all data about products and employees as well as real-time states. The application allows you to filter results and generate reports.