 | 
| | Crane Media's 'All-In-One' Design Eases High-Tech Vending Migration
Issue: Vol. 53, No. 5, May 2013
Crane Merchandising Systems took the wraps off its high-tech Media series last spring, charting a new course in machine design with a fully integrated solution that centers the shopping experience around the consumer. With several thousand units in the field, the vending machine manufacturer says it's continuing to build upon the "future-proof" platform with new features and enhancements that rolled out this spring...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Better For All: Vending Industry Steps Up To Address Public Dietary Concerns
Issue: Vol. 53, No. 3, March 2013
As belief in the health and wellness dimension of dietary choices becomes more widespread, many operators are taking their healthy vending programs to the next level by expanding the better-for-you range of products in their machines, and finding ways to make sure that their customers have the information they need to choose the items that conform to their preferences. High-profile public health initiatives like Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign are increasing public awareness of nutrition and fitness. And the resulting laws and regulations, springing up at every level to modify the way America eats, have made "healthy vending" a merchandising and marketing approach that has become essential for every operation...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Evolving Workplace: Office Coffee Service Pros Update Strategies For New Needs Of Clients
Issue: Vol. 53, No. 2, February 2013
Today's economy has forced many employers to revisit their coffee service budgets. Many -- to the industry's dismay -- are even resorting to buying their own supplies. These and other challenges are forcing even seasoned workplace refreshment providers to take a new look at their marketing and delivery approaches. Two leading OCS pros, Jim Mosely of Georgia's Southern Refreshment Service and Tom Steuber of California's Associated Services, tell VT what they're doing to please today's clients...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Vending Operators Share Experiences And Offer Tips On Success In Emerging Micromarkets Sector
Issue: Vol. 53, No. 1, January 2013
Vending operators who are taking a wait-and-see approach to micromarkets were encouraged to jump on the bandwagon by those who have made the move, and who now are affirming the role these self-checkout stores can play in pleasing locations and boosting sales...
Author: By Tim Sanford and Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Interactivity Strengthens Engagement: Intel Sees Bright Future For PC-Controlled Vending
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 12, December 2012
The computer chip pioneer wants to equip vending machines with controller boards based on powerful microprocessors designed for personal computers, able to run applications that can do much more than determine the value of money inserted and detect product selections...
Author: by Emily Jed and Tim Sanford
|
| 
| | Give Them What They Want: Operators Leverage Frozen Vending To Hone Competitive Edge
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 11, November 2012
Differentiating a vending company is no easy feat in today's high-tech, fast-changing market. In their quest for that "wow" factor, many operators overlook a not-so-new category that locations still clamor for -- frozen food vending...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Holiday House: Focus On Operator Needs Drives Steady Growth Over Three Decades
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 10, October 2012
A key to building a successful business is identifying unmet -- and sometimes unrecognized -- needs, and then finding efficient ways to meet them. This approach is working well for the companies organized by Bernard (Butch) Winkler and his wife Lynn around their flagship enterprise, Holiday House Distributing...
Author: Tim Sanford
|
| 
| | Leveraging Technology: Networked Machines Sell More, Cost Less In Tough Marketplace
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 9, September 2012
Continued high unemployment and corporate downsizing are giving more vending operators reasons to implement business models made possible by converging telecommunications and information technology. Imperial Vending's Lance Whorton and Diversified Vending's Pat Nuzzolillo Jr. share their experiences using Cantaloupe's Seed, and how remote monitoring of line-item sales and cashless payments dramatically improved their routes...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Workplace Foodservice: Better Tools Keep Robotic Retailing Competitive
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 8, August 2012
Robotic retailing adapts to deliver dining solutions to downsized workforce. Healthier fare, micromarkets and cashless payments raise price ceiling and draw wider base of white-collar customers...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Global Beverage Trends: Tracking Consumer Preferences Builds Sales Through Vending Machines, Expert Says
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 6, June 2012
Vending operators who stay informed about the trends shaping the fast-changing beverage market can best position themselves for success in the largest segment of their businesses, said Ross Colbert, global beverage strategist for Rabobank...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Record Crowds Converge In Las Vegas For NAMA OneShow; Innovation And Technology Signal Vending Industry's Reinvention
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2012
Game-changing innovations in vending and coffee service drew the biggest crowd yet to a NAMA OneShow and generated a buzz over new prospects for industry growth...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | How Crane Plans To Revitalize Vending: User-friendly 'Media' Series Links Patrons And Suppliers
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 4, April 2012
The Merchant Media glassfront multiproduct machine and BevMax Media cold beverage dispenser are first models in Crane's new vending machine line. Both feature customer-friendly product delivery systems and offer unprecedented integration of patron instruction and payment options...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | AMOA's Andy Shaffer Will Focus On Combating Music Piracy, Recruiting New Blood And Speeding Decision-Making Process
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 3, March 2012
"AMOA needs to put on its boxing gloves more often when it finds regional issues that impact operators and the industry nationally. Music piracy is one of those issues." So said Andy Shaffer of Shaffer Services (Columbus, OH) as he prepares to take the helm of the Amusement and Music Operators Association...
Author: Marcus Webb
|
| 
| | Ahead Of The Curve: USA Technologies Sustains Growth By Adding Value For Vending Operators
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 2, February 2012
When USA Technologies unveiled the ePort in 2000, it was offered in the context of a service that was the first of its kind: one-stop turnkey payments processing and telemetry for small-ticket, unattended self-service retail applications like vending. There have been many changes over the ensuing 12 years, but the company's flagship comprehensive payments processing and telemetry service continues to keep USAT in the forefront of the market...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Plan Ahead: Operators Need Policies For Leaks And Water Damage
Issue: Vol. 52, No. 1, January 2012
As the popularity of pure water service grows, office refreshment equipment requires a greater degree of plumbing interconnection than it did in the days when pour-through brewers were dominant. This great enhancement to customer service and volume comes with increased risk of leaks and consequent damage claims...
Author: Tim Sanford
|
| 
| | Grab 'N' Go: Emerging Self-Checkout Micromarkets Find Favor As Vending Machines Alternatives, Route Complements
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 12, December 2011
Self-service micromarkets are taking hold in the vending space, as early adopters impressed with the results are deploying them in larger numbers and inspiring others to follow suit. The features and benefits of this new retailing concept were explored by a panel of experts at the recent Atlantic Coast Exposition in Myrtle Beach, SC...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Expanding Vending Machine Menu: As Fresh Food Gains In Popularity, Frozen Options Still Meet Workplace Needs
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 11, November 2011
As more people turn to the supermarket frozen food aisle for convenient mealtime solutions, many vending operators say their customers' confidence in their favorite microwaveable meals is carrying over to frozen food machines...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | BC Coffee & Supplies: OCS-Focused Distributor Stays At Top Of Its Game
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 10, October 2011
BC Coffee & Supplies claims the distinction of being the nation's first dedicated office coffee service distributor. Three decades after its inception, second-generation owner Mark Nichols says his company continues to emphasize office coffee service...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | What's Next? Vending Technology Experts Survey Fast-Growing Toolbox
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 9, September 2011
The continuing flow of innovation into the vending industry is sampled in a two-part business program during the National Automatic Merchandising Association's recent OneShow in Chicago. Dr. Michael Kasavana moderates...
Author: Tim Sanford
|
| 
| | Changing The Game: Missouri's Dynamic Vending Sustains Growth With A Fresh Food Emphasis
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 8, August 2011
Josh Koritz recalls having an epiphany five years ago while standing in front of one his food machines. There was nothing he would consider eating, and little about the array of prepackaged foods inside seemed to make his machines a destination. He was convinced that his customers deserved freshly made foods and that, whatever the investment, he would provide it to them.
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | One Size Does Not Fit All: Vend Brokers Evolve To Meet Market Changes
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 6, June 2011
The wave of consolidation that has swept through the vending industry's operator and supplier segments over the past decade has also altered the broker segment. Larger brokerages have emerged, as independents have merged or been acquired. The rationale is...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Research Flags Gen Y As Target For Industry Growth Campaign
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 5, May 2011
Research commissioned by the National Automatic Merchandising Association has found that consumers generally have a favorable view of vending, and those belonging to "Generation Y" are its biggest fans. The findings are the basis for a major NAMA public relations campaign with strong social media components...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Vending's Virtual Eye-Catcher: Kraft, Next Generation Wrap Up Diji-Touch Beta Test
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 4, April 2011
Kraft Foods and Next Generation conclude beta test for revolutionary Diji-Touch snack vending machine, which appears to have passed with flying colors. Next steps: a nationwide pilot and full commercialization...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Indulgent Shelf-Stable Milk Drinks Broaden Vend Mix
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 3, March 2011
Consumers across all demographics have developed a taste for the creamy satisfaction and rich flavors of contemporary milk-based drinks, and vending operators are better positioned than ever to represent the booming category in their cold beverage mixes...
Author: Emily Jed
|
| 
| | Start Your Engines, Or Your Motors: Industry Leaders Blaze Trail For 'Greener' Route Vehicles
Issue: Vol. 51, No. 2, February 2011
Hybrid and electric vending trucks are no longer a far-off future vision as the shift from conventional to alternative power accelerates...
Author: Emily Jed
|
