Gimme Begins Shipping Vending Management System

ATLANTA -- Gimme Vending said it is rolling out its cloud-based hardware and software system, which delivers DEX data from a vending machine to an operation's headquarters as the driver completes service. The Atlanta-based startup has been testing installations during a soft launch on 1,000 machines. It announced last September that it had raised $450,000 in seed funding. | SEE STORY

Gimme's plug-and-play solution integrates with existing vending management systems and turns venders into data-producing "smart" machines, according to the company. It allows vending companies to track what's happening in the field where the cash and inventory are, in real-time, without end-of-day downloading, synchronizing or hand-keying. Its plug-and-play Gimme Key and iPad-based Gimme Drive app replace wired handhelds.

According to Gimme chief executive Cory Hewett, "The vending industry is ripe for disruption and efficiency. Our plug-and-play solution will do just that in a simple, fast and beautiful way."

Comprised of two apps, the system includes Gimme Command, which provides executives with an up-to-the-moment graphical view of cash and inventory data by machine and location, as well as progress on the route.

Gimme Drive is designed for route drivers to simplify the process of capturing DEX (Data Exchange) data and inventory counts from each machine. This component reports in real time in the Gimme cloud, driving efficiencies in prekitting and route delivery times, even in areas without cellphone coverage.

The app provides drivers with a single-screen map view of daily scheduled stops, as well as all machines assigned to that driver. It also provides drivers a visual "planogram view" of products in each machine, based on latest data from the vending management system, and an easy-to-edit, single-screen picklist for inventory items by machine, location or route.

Gimme Drive transmits inventory count updates and DEX file data to the Gimme cloud during each machine visit; data are immediately visible in the Gimme Command app. Drivers have the ability to make notations specific to a machine, location or customer that is visible to other drivers through the app's logbook feature. Both Gimme Command and Gimme Drive are powered by the company's rule-based workflow engine for intelligent data routing information.

To install the technology, a Gimme Key is plugged into a vending machine's DEX board. DEX data are then communicated wirelessly from the Gimme Key to the Gimme Drive app via Bluetooth Low Energy during each driver visit. The data instantaneously upload from the app to the Gimme Vending cloud, and are immediately accessible by executives through the Gimme Command app.