Technology Novel Styles And Sizes Enhance Visual Appeal Of 2016s Vending Machines

CHICAGO -- The full-line vending revolution is approaching its sixth decade, but vending technology continues to evolve, sometimes in unexpected directions. This year's OneShow vending machine and product exhibition, produced by the National Automatic Merchandising Association, demonstrated that manufacturers are continuing to refine the electromechanical components in the interest of even higher selectivity and flexibility, and applying innovative software to the task of driving and monitoring those components, as well as engaging the machine's customers.

The OneShow continues to grow, with approximately 300 exhibiting companies this year. The exhibit hours do not grow commensurately, so it is virtually impossible to see everything of interest. Here is a summary of the equipment developments that caught the eyes of VT's reporters.

Automated Merchandising Systems showcased its new Premium snack vending machine during OneShow. It builds upon the features of AMS's state-of-the-art Epoch series, including the round-cornered, smooth-edge door, and it's available in ambient, refrigerated, combination and outdoor models. What's new is a wider product viewing area without reducing the amount of merchandising space; it also retains the ADA-compliant delivery bin. Another feature unique to the Premium vender is an eye-catching lighted escutcheon.

AMS also took the wraps off "The Steeley," a sleek and stylish closed-front can and bottle beverage machine fitted with merchandising windows that hold vibrant product display cards. Named after the late Roy Steeley who founded AMS, the machine requires no shims for vending cans and bottles, thereby eliminating obstructions that can impede product motion and contribute to "bridging," according to AMS. The ADA-compliant machine is designed for easy back retainer adjustment and quick and simple rotor replacement. It holds 670 cans or 370 PET bottles.

MORE MEETS THE EYE: Tom Hutchison (l.) and Chuck Pitko shine spotlight on new AMS MicroVend, which can be merchandised with wide range of small, high-value items. At right, AMS's Rob Lewis and Aaron Neely highlight larger product viewing area and blue escutcheon lighting on Premium snack machine during OneShow.

Vending professionals also got their first look at AMS's new countertop MicroVend vender. Designed to accommodate a wide range of small, high-value items, it can dispense products like single-serve coffee capsules, cartridges and pods, portion-packed creamers, premium hot drink condiments and energy-drink shots. Measuring 22.25" W. x 25" D. x 40.5" H., with six trays, it's well-suited to offices, galleys, hotel lobbies and other areas that lack the floorspace for a full-size vender. Like all AMS vending equipment, it incorporates state-of-the-art electronics, and many of its parts are interchangeable with most other AMS machines. Visit amsvendors.com.

AVT Inc. unveiled its new Multi-Shopper, which can be customized to carry a wide variety of merchandise. It's designed to provide the benefits of both traditional and online shopping. The Multi-Shopper's integrated touchscreens provide product information about items featured in the machine, as well as instant access to a retailer's online inventory, allowing consumers to find and purchase complementary products. Its multimedia capabilities also help engage consumers. The machine can send "push" notifications" to attract nearby shoppers. Go to autoretail.com.

Crane Merchandising Systems exhibited its full line of vending equipment at OneShow, and unveiled three software products designed to enhance operational efficiency and management control for vending and micromarket operators.

New for Crane's Media-equipped machines is augmented functionality for the company's "Intelligent Store" system, which now can accommodate changes to machine planogramming and price settings by wireless commands.

"Intelligent Store subscribers will be able to create and update planograms for all types of Media machines and deliver them to the machine over the air," the company reported. By using Crane's Stream­ware Connect portal, operators can collect and process their own customer product information and add product graphics and custom tags. Prices also can be set and changed remotely, for one machine or many.

Also demonstrated at OneShow were two mobile applications that support vending operators with Crane Cashless and the VendMax management system. Both are available for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

The Crane Cashless Mobile app offers tools for Crane Cashless and telemetry customers that give service technicians real-time access to device status, alerts, configuration data, troubleshooting procedures and training materials. The app enables them to assess and resolve service issues quickly, and provides one-click access to Crane's support team.

The VendMax Route Driver Mobile app permits replacing a conventional handheld route computer with a smartphone or tablet. The app enables real-time synchronization of data over cellular or Wi-Fi wireless networks, making inventory data immediately available for improved prekitting accuracy.

CRANE INNOVATION:Crane Merchandising Systems' new president, Brad Tedder, met with vending operators during OneShow to discuss supporting technologies for CMS's flagship Media vending machine lineup. | See Story

For micromarket operators, Crane introduced Streamware MarketConnect, a new integration service that enables efficient control and oversight of an operator's micromarket business through the VendMax management system. It offers a single source of data entry, cash and inventory accountability, integrated prekitting, and consolidated sales and financial reports for vending, delivery services and micromarkets.

MarketConnect uses NAMA's Vending Data Interchange (VDI) standard to interface with micromarket data collection and retrieval systems. The standard is designed to ensure that any micromarket solution can be integrated with any vending management suite. As a member of the NAMA VDI Council and co-author of the VDI standard, along with 365 Retail Markets and Canteen, Crane Streamware collaborated with providers of micromarkets and other vending management systems to develop the integration standard.

MarketConnect, and the new mobile applications, are powered by Streamware Connect, Crane's global device and data integration platform. Streamware Connect enables data communications from and to practically any device or partner, and integrates seamlessly with VendMax.

Fastcorp, a division of Chapco Inc., highlighted the versatility of its DIVI (Dream It, Vend It) automated merchandiser, distinguished by its vacuum robotic delivery system that picks up and dispenses products of all shapes and sizes, weighing up to 4 lbs. The machine is available in frozen, refrigerated and ambient models, and operators can customize it with optional ambient product display shelves. Additional new options include integrated 10" or 42" touchscreens, a 7" nonintegrated screen and 22" Wi-Fi media player.

PIZZA TO GO:Fastcorp's Brian Weinstein and Colleen Morris serve showgers 6" pizza pies from Freedom Pizza machine. The personal pizzas are vended frozen, then reheated in a microwave oven built into the kiosk.

Fastcorp demonstrated DIVI's wide applications at the OneShow. A branded Freedom Pizza machine that vends 6" frozen pies was equipped with a built-in kiosk that holds condiments and two microwave ovens. A branded Fit Stop ambient vender -- ideal for gyms, merchandised with protein bars, energy shots and pain relief medicine, and equipped with a media player -- showcased DIVI's new live product display option and promotional capabilities.

VERSATILITY:Chapco Inc. president Brian Weinstein showcases Fit Stop-branded Fastcorp DIVI machine tailored to the tastes of workout enthusiasts, and Nestlé-branded premium frozen novelty vender.

Also on display was the Fastcorp Bulk Vender, which uses a design by Ducale, an Italian vending machine manufacturer. It can dispense as mana as five types or candy or nuts, among other bulk products, into one cup. The machine stores bulk product in vertical magazines. When a vend is initiated, the robotic arm moves forward, backward, left and right, receives a cup from the turret and positions it under the correct cylindrical magazine or magazines for filling. When the order is complete, the arm conveys it to the delivery door.

Another major development for Fastcorp is the redevelopment of its original robotic technology, and the consolidation of its equipment and component production into its Chester, CT, factory. Visit fastcorpvending.com.

InOne Technologies introduced a countertop coffee capsule vender and showed its All InOne Door, which combines InOne's popular vending machine upgrades in a single, easy-to-install replacement front.

The K-Cup Dispenser is a space-saving cylindrical vender that carries popular single-cup coffee capsules in a see-through vertically rotating drum. It accommodates a variety of cashless payment options -- credit/debit card, prepaid card and mobile -- and can be mounted to a wall or a matching cylindrical base, as well as a tabletop. It's designed to give management control over coffee capsule expense in workplace and hospitality locations, as well as retail accounts such as convenience stores and gas stations. The machine is offered in two models, with capacities of 108 or 120 capsules.

ALL InONE CONTROL: InOne Technology's Roy Berkman shows off InOne's new general merchandise dispenser. Offered in two models, it's designed for cashless vending. At right, InOne's Adrianne Douglass reviews features and benefits of the company's All InOne Door with Jerry Schreiner (l.), Vander Vending (E. Moline, IA), and Dennis Jorgensen, HVP Vending (Morrison, IL), during NAMA OneShow.

The All InOne Door upgrades many popular vending machines to Multi-Drop Bus compatibility, MDB and DEX (VIDTS) audit, bright energy-efficient LED illumination and InOne's drop sensors for assured product delivery. It's supplied with the sensors already installed, and equipped with InOne boards, so it's ready for field installation. Custom skins are available, and the door accommodates an optional touchscreen customer interface. It's available for Automatic Products models 121, 122, 123, 111, 112, 113, LCM2, LCM3, LCM4, 7600, 7000, 6600 and 6000. Learn more at inonetechnology.com.

Jofemar USA exhibited representative examples of its full line of vending machines, including Coffeemar fresh-brew venders, refrigerated and frozen food/ice cream equipment and glassfront Combo multiproduct dispensers.

JOFEMAR VISION: Jofemar USA's modular Vision Convenience Center is on display as, from left, Keila Floran and Armando Rodriguez, U.S. Caribbean Vending of Puerto Rico (San Juan), get details from Jofemar's Michele Sparks and José Iribarren. This installation shows two vending units flanking the "payment tower," with touchscreen product selector. The unit on the right is stocked with Apple products, including a 17" MacBook Pro; Jofemar's continuous-track vend mechanism and product delivery elevator can handle heavy products, moving them gently in two dimensions.

Taking center stage at the exhibition was Jofemar's Vision Convenience Center, which combines the company's Vision ES merchandise dispensing modules with a "tower" that houses the payment system and touchscreen user interface. Jofemar packaged-product venders feature extensively reconfigurable endless-track horizontal transport mechanisms and a sturdy delivery elevator to accommodate a very wide range of product sizes and shapes. Information on Jofemar products can be found at jofemarusa.com.

Microtronic North America introduced its e-vending solution, built around the MicroPay6 intelligent module that links a vending machine with Microtronic's Web server. The module incorporates a QR-code scanner to read codes displayed on patrons' mobile-device screens or on printed media, including coupons. The new e-vending app, personalized with the operator's company name and logotype, is available for Apple iOS, Android and Windows Phone equipment. The patron downloads the app and creates an online account that enables cashless purchasing. Users also can view operator promotions, review their account balances and add funds. A phone running the app can even be used offline to make vending purchases, and to add funds by inserting coins or banknotes at the machine.

MICROTRONIC E-VENDING: Terri Starnes-Bryant of Microtronic US demonstrates the ease of making a mobile payment at a vending machine (an AMS Microvend countertop model) controlled by new e-vending MicroPay6 terminal fitted with QR code scanner.

The operation can use its secure account to make promotional offers, including personal ones such as a free cup of coffee to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion. The operator also can launch specific actions based on individual behavior and, if desired, set up a tiered-status loyalty program (e.g. a system for designating patrons as "silver," "gold" and "platinum" customers and assigning preferential prices to each). All kinds of information can be sent to consumers, and information also can be requested of them, e.g. their reactions to a new product, or a survey to assess satisfaction. And a graphical "cockpit" gives managers an overview of aggregate account balances and revaluations for specified time periods, as well as total turnover.

Microtronic cashless payment technology is in wide use around the world, and has found favor as a means of enabling customers to make vending and micromarket payments with one payment medium. It's described at microtronicus.com.

Royal Vendors, widely known for its packaged cold beverage machines, put its 2016 OneShow focus on its Vision coolers and freezers, equipped with health timers for micromarkets. The display coolers and freezers feature one-piece cabinets with high-density foamed-in-place insulation; they measure 78" H. x 30" W. x 32.35" D.

Royal Vendors' health timer control is an automatic mechanical and electronic locking mechanism that prevents customers from taking food items out of the cooler or freezer if the temperature rises above 41°F. or 1°F., respectively, for a predetermined period. Royal Vendors' software allows for loading the cooler without activating the health timer lock. Should the cooler or freezer lock because of a temperature increase, a field technician can easily open it for servicing.

CHILLIN': Doing the honors at Royal Vendors' OneShow exhibit are Steve Jamison (l.) and Ray Kohlhepp. Vision coolers and freezers for micromarkets are in the spotlight.

The cooler's slide-in-and-out refrigeration module allows for easy cleaning, removal and replacement. The temperature control is not visible to the person loading the machine or the customer, which discourages idle adjustment. There is no exposed wiring on the outside of the cooler, optimizing safety and cosmetic appearance. The heavy-gauge steel refrigeration compartment grill is easy to remove for cleaning and service access. Doors stay in open position for ease of loading, and are easily reversible to meet location requirements.

A six-shelf model is standard, with full-length glass door topped by a decal and above-average storage capacity. Coolers are also available in five-shelf configuration with a separate lighted, customizable sign header above the door. Beverage can and shelf guides are also available.

The freezers are chilled by a refrigeration system incorporating a 1 HP compressor and running on 120VAC, at 15A. Other features include Low-E triple-pane glass door and frost-free operation. LED lighting is standard, and baskets, dividers and extra shelves are available.The complete refrigeration deck with evaporator and condenser can be removed and installed in the field, without cutting lines or wires, in less than 30 minutes. The fast-recovery refrigeration system features a unique duct design to maintain temperature under heavy usage.

Royal's freezers and coolers are NSF certified, UL listed and Energy Star Tier 3 compliant. Visit royalvendors.com.

SandenVendo America Inc. showed a representative selection of its versatile packaged cold beverage machines, and introduced the production version of its novel health-switch-protected air-curtain reach-in merchandiser for micromarkets. Previewed at last year's OneShow, the new RD2C open-air case expands the time-tested Visi-Cooler display merchandiser concept by combining the convenience of doorless access to merchandise with a flexible mesh screen that normally resides, rolled up compactly, across the front interior top of the cabinet. If the temperature of the interior rises above a pre-set safe temperature, the health switch causes the mesh screen to unroll and, when fully deployed across the front of the case, to lock in place until a service representative arrives to discard potentially unsafe product, restore the refrigeration and retract the screen to its rest position. SandenVendo reports that the patented mesh curtain mechanism is certified by NAMA. The manufacturer is online at vendoco.com.

HEALTH GUARD: SandenVendo's R. Scott Winters (left) demonstrates RD2C health-control-equipped reach-in cooler for William Rogers, Rogers Vending Co. (Elk Grove Village, IL), at NAMA OneShow.

Seaga took the wraps off a countertop vending machine designed to dispense Keurig K-Cups and compatible single-cup capsules. Measuring 17." H. x 26.5" W. x 24"D., the machine is sized for breakroom kitchens and hospitality and reception areas. It offers 16 selections of single-cup capsules with a 256-pack capacity. Features include live product display and a programmable scrolling vacuum fluorescent display that allows the operator to incorporate a sales message. The machine can be connected to any industry-standard telemetry system or cashless payment device.

Seaga also introduced a high-selectivity packaged cold beverage vender, the LV2018 "Lean" machine. It can display as many as 18 selections from 20 product lanes (two are double depth, to maximize capacity for the most popular items). It's designed to accommodate a very wide range of package formats, from round and square bottles through tall and slim cans; total capacity can be as many as 360 packages. The LV2018 features a "cassette-style" refrigeration deck, easy-change flavor cards and sleek retro styling. Made in the U.S., it measures only 39" W. x 34" D. x 72" H.

INFINITE POSSIBILITIES: Seaga engineer Dennis Hammer shows off new LV2018 "Lean" cold beverage vender. At center, Seaga's Kevin Horstman (l.) meets with Alfonso Barragan (c.) and James Crow of Vendwatch Telematics, who supplied telemetry device on Infinity machine at OneShow. On display is combination snack and beverage vender with "healthy" graphics, featuring new curved glass look. At right, Seaga's Angela Olson shines spotlight on compact countertop Keurig K-Cup vending machine.

Rounding out its innovations, Seaga showcased a new aesthetically pleasing curved glass design modification for the front door of its Infinity line of machines. Go to seaga.com to learn more.

Second Cup Coffee Co., which operates more than 300 coffeehouses across Canada, took the wraps off its Barista-To-Go vending machine. It provides a range of the company's Rainforest Alliance espresso beans and other beverages and uses fresh milk.

The machine, made by Germany's Sielaff, sports a large, attention-grabbing backlit front. Metal double selection keys with LED lighting simplify selection for various drink quantities, from a single espresso shot to large specialty beverages, with a 10-fl.oz. maximum serving.

AUTOMATED COFFEE SHOP: Second Cup's Yuri Spektor and Linda Bilanski roll out automated coffeehouse at NAMA OneShow.

The consumer selects a cup and places it under the dispenser before initiating a vend. A maximum of 15 selections can be offered, with a brewing capacity of 150 cups per hour.

The machine, which measures 78" H. x 39" W. x 39" D., features two 2.5-lb. capacity coffee containers and one 5-lb. soluble hot chocolate hopper. The machine's refrigerator unit holds up to 5 gals. of fresh milk. Two high-performance, low-noise grinders, a metal brewer, vane pump and mixer (adjustable to 17,000 rpm) work in concert to ensure a premium brew and the preparation of specialty drinks with a fine, creamy consistency. The company is online at mysecondcup.com

TCBY (The Country's Best Yogurt) rolled out the production model of its fro-yo machine, built by Stoelting LLC. (Kiel, WI), at NAMA's OneShow, and explained its revenue-sharing model designed to make the machine affordable and profitable for operators. The company previewed the machine at last year's OneShow.

Customers use a touchscreen interface to select their desired portion size, flavor and toppings; they then pay with cash, credit or a mobile service to receive a customized serving of frozen yogurt in less than 35 seconds. Patrons can choose 3-oz., 5-oz. and 7-oz. portions, either of two flavors and any of four toppings.

FRO YO: Greg Stak, director of sales operations at Stoelting, maker of the TCBY vending machine, guides OneShow-goer Alyssa Jed through customizing a cup of frozen yogurt.

The machine measures 66.3" W. x 41.83" D. x 79.64" H. and weighs 1,250 lbs. A management interface allows the operator to program the daily flavors and a cellular connection processes credit card payments. Machine doors open from the front to simplify cleaning and maintenance.

Electrical requirements are 240VAC or 208VAC at 30A for a receptacle accommodating a NEMA L6-30 locking plug, or 120VAC, 15A for a receptacle taking a NEMA 5-15 plug. The vender requires no plumbing or drain.

Service alerts are sent by text message to the operator. Maintenance and cashbox doors are accessed with different keys for tighter security. "Dashboard" reporting keeps the operator up to the minute on sales over Wi-Fi and 3G/4G cellular connections. Operators also can monitor product temperatures and maintenance, and determine the amount of product sold, in real time.

To operate a TCBY machine, operators first make sure that the location has the required space, storage and power available. TCBY will then coordinate a site visit to survey the planned installation and confirm that it's a fit. The next step for the operator is to configure Wi-Fi, 3G/4G or LAN to create a non-broadcasting hotspot.

Once the operator orders product and supplies and sets up credit card processing, TCBY will ship the machine directly to the location. It's mounted on four casters so it can be rolled easily. When the outer enclosure and two small sections of the machine are removed, it will fit through a standard door.

The machine can dispense about 150 servings before restocking. It must be cleaned every three days, which typically takes one to two hours a week.

Operators lease the machine and buy the yogurt mix, cups, toppings and spoons from TCBY, with which they share 40% of the profit. TCBY trains operators and provides the tools to help walk them through training their employees. Inquire by email to tcbyvending@tcby.com for more information.

U-Select-It formally introduced the Evoke line, and previewed a promising new vend delivery mechanism, at the 2016 OneShow. The first Evoke model, a glassfront snack machine, was on display; it will be followed by a refrigerated food vender, with more models slated for rollout in 2017. Also on display was an innovative "Push" delivery system which presently is undergoing final development and testing.

The Evoke series is designed to encourage consumer interaction through its new touchscreen interface, the centerpiece of a media-driven delivery experience. Features include shopping cart software to speed and simplify purchases of more than one product in a single transaction, and expanded capabilities for credit/debit and mobile payment platforms. The Evoke machine's user interface also displays nutrition facts, advertisements and promotions. Evoke venders offer enhanced product showcasing and merchandising flexibility, as well as sophisticated exterior stylings that complement modern workplace decor.

The Evoke Snack 5 features an ADA-compliant design and offers enhanced serviceability by separating product and control-system areas for fast, easy access, and by means of an intuitive service menu display.

EVOKE: Ash Christou (l.), Autoserve Vending (Melbourne, Australia), and Nick Aronis, VenTrader Pty. Ltd. (Hallam, Australia), get first look at new USI Evoke 5 snack vender as USI's Jim Chico (r.) describes its features.

The Evoke design incorporates Cantaloupe Systems' Greenlite and its new remote-pricing feature. Greenlite, a cloud-based cashless acceptance, remote monitoring and management solution, made its debut last year. The new remote-pricing capability allows operators to update machine price selections from any Web-based device through the Greenlite platform. Remote pricing complements Greenlite's existing suite of monitoring and reporting capabilities, which include sales tracking, machine health monitoring, prepicking and plano­gramming. This new feature offers the flexibility to update pricing as part of a promotional campaign, to move closeout items or to react to market conditions in real time. Remote price-setting eliminates the costs associated with special trips to the machine, as well as potential revenue losses occasioned by waiting to change machine pricing until the next scheduled visit.

PUSH: USI's John Van Horn (r.) demonstrates the ease and versatility of Push vend mechanism for Dominic Macerola, Rome Enterprises Inc. (Houston, TX). Now in the final stages of development, Push adjusts for a wide range of product sizes and shapes.

The "Push" mechanism is an alternative to horizontal vending mechanisms based on product spirals, pallets or belts. It employs repositionable column dividers on the shelf, each housing a small-diameter, fine-pitch helix that serves as a leadscrew to drive a snap-in paddle from the rear of the shelf forward. To fill a column, the paddle is simply snapped into place at the back of the column, and the products are loaded from the rear to the front. With each vend, the helix pushes the paddle forward until the frontmost product separates from the shelf. Large packages can be pushed by padd