All-In-One Board Solutions Lower Costs Simplify Setup For Intelligent Vending

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People now want more from vending machines -- like the ability to pay with a credit card, check nutritional information, or use a coupon. Brands, too, have big ideas. Thanks to the latest generation of large touchscreens and real-time content management, brands can treat vending machines as yet another touchpoint in the unified commerce experience -- for example, by running targeted promotions and ads in high-traffic locations. Meanwhile, fleet operators are eager to see how remote management and data analytics can reduce costs and make operations more efficient. Instant price changes, along with the ability to centrally manage software updates, can breathe new life into vending and renew its relevance as a cornerstone of any retail strategy. It's an exciting future for those willing to embrace the changes.

However, delivering on these accelerating expectations is another thing. In 2014, Intel launched the Intel® Reference Design for Intelligent Vending, enabling machines to connect to the Internet and take advantage of cloud services, data analytics, and more. This original reference design included several hardware and software components that could be used to build new machines or retrofit existing ones. With application programming interfaces (APIs), it also became easier to write new software and control peripherals, such as coin dispenser and refrigeration systems.

Now Intel has simplified this design, making it easier and more cost-efficient than ever to build into machines. At Venditalia 2016, we debuted the Intel® Reference Design for Intelligent Vending 2.0. For the first time, it delivers an all-in-one board that includes the hardware and software needed to make machines smart. The newest reference design can help vending businesses work significantly smarter in four key ways:

1. One board reduces deployment cost and complexity.

Until now, several components were required to deploy intelligent vending. Technicians needed to match an embedded computer to a vending machine I/O sensor board and manage cabling. The new vending reference design includes an Intel® CPU, vending machine I/O, and API all on the same board. This means lower deployment costs, less cabling, and a simpler setup.

2. Better customer experiences will drive sales.

In our increasingly digital world, it's amazing that something as simple as not having enough change in your pocket can stop a purchase in its tracks. Making it easier and more enjoyable for your customers to buy products will lead to greater sales. The Intel Reference Design for Intelligent Vending 2.0 enables cashless payments from credit cards and smartphones, so nothing will get in the way of the next purchase. And with interactive touchscreens, you can promote brands, advertise offers, and add some excitement to the customer experience.

3. Data can help you respond to demand.

Want to know which hot items are running low? The new vending reference design makes it possible to capture real-time data, so you can proactively respond to customer demands. By collecting data from each machine, you can customize your product mix to maximize consumption by location.

4. Remote management makes operations smarter.

Dispatching technicians to check on machines can be a thing of the past once you take advantage of remote management tools. You can also easily update content and pricing in response to market trends, no matter where you happen to be. All that saved travel lowers operating costs while reducing downtime.

Ready to make vending machines work smarter? To learn more about the Intel Reference Design for Intelligent Vending 2.0 or configure your own design, contact intelligent.vending@intel.com for details.