Innovation, post COVID challenges top Vending Times best-read 2023 stories

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

2023 proved to be a year of challenges and opportunities for convenience services. Operators were enthused by the technology innovations that came on the…

Product shrink in micro markets: What can you do? Don’t miss this SSIS session!

October 10, 2023

Micro markets offer more product variety than vending machines or other self-serve foodservice formats, which is why they continue to expand at a fast pace in…

On the leading edge? Don’t miss the Self-Service Innovation Summit

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The annual Summit has gained a following as a global brainstorming session for everyone and everything having to do with self-service technology.

Convenience retail innovation mesmerizes attendees at Georgia World Congress Center

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The trade show offered a wealth of innovation such as checkout-free markets, smart glassfront merchandisers, AI enabled biometric identification and age…

Smart Charging Technologies taps OptConnect’s Micah Larsen

April 13, 2023

Micah Larsen Smart Charging Technologies, a provider of IoT energy management and equipment solutions, has named industry veteran Micah Larsen as…

Common misconceptions about managed connectivity

Much if not most of today's self-service equipment must be connected to a network in order to work properly. An expert reviews all the connectivity components…

Expanding into new services: Nuts and bolts

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Convenience services operators got a crash course on pivoting the business during COVID. Those lessons served them well when looking at new services to add in…

Exhibit floor sizzles with excitement at Self-Service Innovation Summit

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Attendees at the Self-Service Innovation Summit stayed busy between education sessions by visiting the exhibit area where vendors demonstrated advances in…

Coolgreens, Cash2Bitcoin among execs discussing profitability strategies at SSIS

December 5, 2022

With more sales channels reaching out for the consumer's dollar, convenience services has become more competitive than ever, and operators can no longer count…

OptConnect teams with Vendors Exchange International on connectivity services

July 26, 2022

Vendors Exchange International Inc., a provider of vending industry solutions, will offer OptConnect's managed connectivity services while enabling companies…

Summit honors 2021 Self-Service Innovation Awards winners

Networld Media Group honors the 2021 Innovation of the Year (B2B), Innovation of the Year (B2C), Reader's Choice Innovator of the Year (Company), Reader's…

OptConnect acquires Premier Wireless Solutions

November 30, 2021

OptConnect, a provider of managed wireless services, has acquired Silicon Valley-based Premier Wireless Solutions, an IoT network solutions provider, for an…

Self-Service Innovation Awards finalists announced

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Self-Service Innovation Awards will be presented during a presentation on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Self-Service Innovation Summit.

#SelfServiceSummit Sponsor Preview: OptConnect

OptConnect is North America's leading provider of managed wireless connectivity for the vending and kiosk space. OptConnect provides a secure and reliable…

4G and EMV upgrades complete?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service equipment operators need to upgrade to 4G to continue offering contactless payments when the 2G and 3G networks are discontinued. They also need…

Convenience services cautiously optimistic about 2021

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-service providers generally agree the pandemic has raised awareness of the need for new ways to boost customer interaction, but the immediate question on…

OptConnect introduces multi-carrier cellular router for unattended devices

December 10, 2020

OptConnect has introduced neo2, a compact LTE Category 4 multi-carrier cellular router for kiosks, micro markets, digital signs and other applications…

Self-Service Innovation Virtual Summit Sponsor: OptConnect

SILVER SPONSOR OptConnect is North America's leading provider of managed wireless connectivity for the vending and kiosk space. OptConnect provides a secure…

OptConnect receives patent for 'Connectivity as a Service' modem

October 22, 2020

OptConnect, a provider of managed wireless connectivity services, has received a patent for OptConnect ema. its embedded modem that provides…

OptConnect introduces mini PCI express adaptor

June 26, 2020

OptConnect, a provider of wireless connectivity products, has launched a mini PCI express adaptor card for its patented smart embedded modem, ema, according to…