Touchless Payment

Uncomplicated Payment at EV Charging Stations
Uncomplicated Payment at EV Charging Stations 2048 998 GAD Vending

EV Charging Open Payment Solutions

In Europe, electric vehicle adoption has been on the rise in recent years, with projected market unit sales expected to reach 5.5 million vehicles in 2027.1 With this growing demand for electric cars comes a requirement for a convenient charging experience that all drivers can enjoy.

However, an easy, reliable charging experience is currently not the case in much of Europe for drivers that use unfamiliar chargers. This is, in large part, due to drivers facing an inconsistent payment structure across charging stations. For example, one charging station could require payment from a specific subscription app or a contactless payment option and another could require a different subscription app. This results in drivers potentially finding themselves in the unfortunate and frustrating situation of being unable to use chargers if they don’t have the correct app or contactless payment option. And with 90% of charging stations in Europe not being equipped with a credit card reader, drivers have much higher chances of finding themselves in this scenario.2

Life is complex enough and with vehicle manufacturers executing on improved battery performance, it’s not surprising that charge anxiety is likely replacing range anxiety. In simple terms, EV drivers want the same frictionless payment experience as buying a latte or purchasing petrol at the petrol station. Let’s not create payment anxiety on top of this.

Having found a charger that’s up and running, surely making payment simple and consistent must be a win for everyone in the value chain? Let’s keep the complex function of electric vehicles in the technology and performance of the vehicle itself and not bring it into the everyday aspect of payment at the “pump.”

Having to download an app, or having a subscription to a club may suit many, but as electric vehicles become ubiquitous, doesn’t the consumer have the right for more payment flexibility? Drivers already deal with range anxiety associated with route planning and journey duration, adding a complex way to refuel, or continuing to proliferate app-based payment as the only option will only create a new type of anxiety around payment. Working towards a more sustainable future needs accessibility for all, so ensuring payment is familiar is a very easy way to remove a headache and pain point for drivers.

Fortunately, CPI provides an open payment solution that provides drivers with a familiar payment experience that prevents payment anxiety and meets all regulatory requirements around PIN acceptance.

1 Source: https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/electric-vehicles/europe

2 Source: https://chargemap.com/pass

Park. Tap. Charge.
Park. Tap. Charge. 2048 1366 GAD Vending

GAD has been on the forefront of cashless payment solutions through our manufacturer, Crane Vending.

With CPI payment systems, GAD has been installing, training and servicing cashless payment solutions in both attended and unattended solutions. GAD has been installing and servicing vending, change machines and ATM’s for decades.

The newest craze is EV Charging Stations. With so many EV’s coming to highways in the US, many are not finding convenient and easy to pay stations. But the solutions from Crane make it easy.

Tap and pay solutions make it really a Park, Tap and Charge solution. If this is what your business is looking into for your retail parking lot, employee EV charging stations or for a food establishment give the GAD sales team a call. We can help you with determine the best unattended or attended payment solution for you.

The FUTURE of Self Service Coffee
The FUTURE of Self Service Coffee 654 691 GAD Vending

Consumer Choice After COVID

The world will not look the same after COVID. In a few short months, we’d gone from carefree to cautious, with the pandemic reshaping the way we live, learn and work. From how we shop for groceries to the way we go about getting our daily cup of coffee, we’ve all got accustomed to a different way of life—especially when it comes to retail.

While people will eventually return to a new normal with family, friends and coworkers, the new habits we’ve developed as consumers may never completely go away. This means that even after the pandemic, self-service technologies have the opportunity to flourish by offering less employee contact and more convenience for increasingly conscious customers. 

So how can self-service meet the needs of a post-COVID world? And what can office coffee service operators specifically learn from self-service retail trends as they continue to adapt their businesses?

The Value of Self-Service

Simply put, people are willing to pay a premium to avoid contact—and will continue to do so, even after the pandemic. According to McKinsey, “Post-crisis spending on in-restaurant dining is expected to be lower than pre-crisis levels, largely because consumers will still be wary of being in densely populated public spaces.” And “after the pandemic, consumers will likely spend more on food delivery, prepared foods and groceries than they did before the pandemic.”

Self-service retail models give people a way to access the goods and services they want, without contact—a choice that has become increasingly popular as of late. This is especially true in the food service industry, where restaurants and food retailers have turned to self-service to help customers minimize contact with cashiers, servers and each other.

For example, the following solutions have been widely adopted:

  • No-touch menus that can be accessed via QR codes rather than handed out on paper
  • Contactless payments like EMV cards and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
  • All-in-one mobile apps that allow customers to order, pay and pick up orders at curbside
  • Electronic tablets that enable customers to order and pay from their table

In addition to increasing safety, these types of self-service technologies can decrease labor costs, and ultimately, increase customer satisfaction.

And it’s likely that even long after COVID is behind us, the demand for self-service will remain—or become even stronger. As consumers become more reliant on the convenience and safety it provides, they are likely to seek out more self-service options in the future.

The Demand for Digital Experiences

Even before the pandemic, the ease and convenience of digital offerings were shifting consumer expectations. But after months of isolation and contact reduction, consumers have become even more accustomed to the perks of the digital experience online: customization, rapid payment and delivery, saved preferences, and, of course, minimal or no contact. Those expectations are driving consumers to seek out digital-driven experiences that provide those same benefits in the physical space.

To meet this demand, operators and retailers will continue to look for ways to provide safer, more convenient experiences—and self-service digital kiosks offer exactly that. Just as online platforms like Amazon and Netflix save user preferences and offer immediate gratification, a self-serve digital kiosk gives consumers a faster, easier way to access the products and services they want. That ease of use and almost infinite flexibility—with the added bonus of a nearly contactless experience—is what consumers are looking for in an increasingly digital world.

With that in mind, we expect to see retailers adapting their experiences across the board in order to serve their customers digitally—whether they’re installing touchscreens for ordering, implementing mobile apps or adding new digital payment options like mobile wallets. Customers will continue to expect a seamless digital experience with minimal contact, and with technologies evolving rapidly, operators have more ways than ever to meet those expectations.

The Benefits for Office Coffee Service Operators

The benefits of self-service retail for consumers are clear, but the trends driving this digital shift also bring considerable benefits for operators of all types. In the Office Coffee Service space, adapting operations to include more self-service options can allow operators to not only increase the hygiene of their operations, but to improve the customer experience as well. By providing modern, digital-first experiences that give people more options for their coffee and less contact during the experience, operators can increase both customer retention and loyalty.

Office Coffee Service is a microcosm of the larger digital trends we expect to see in the future: fast, seamless, intuitive digital experiences that give customers the choice of less contact, more customization, and more ways to pay. Modern free-standing self-service coffee machines with touchscreen interfaces give customers an easy way to browse beverages, customize their drink and even save their preferences. Optimizing the experience for your consumers is about more than increasing sales. It’s about meeting the needs of loyal users who expect a perfect, consistent experience in a digital-first world.

Takeaways for Operators

  1. As consumers demand faster, easier, more customized experiences with less contact, it’s never been more clear: the future of in-person retail is digital self-service. In a world where consumers have more online options than ever, it’s vital to provide an in-person option that offers the same benefits and level of service.
  2. Shifting spending patterns during the pandemic have shown that consumers will pay a premium for rapid, convenient, contactless services, and it’s likely they’ll continue to do so in the future. Now is the time to invest in providing that same experience to them in person, with modern machines and digital experiences that offer even more options while reducing touchpoints. Technologies like self-service kiosks can minimize contact with cashiers and other customers, as well as contact with shared surfaces or equipment.
  3. Self-service digital coffee machines do more than just offer a convenient and contactless experience. They also offer consumers more options for customization, allowing them to easily explore new drinks and modifications without any extra labor on the part of the operator. An expanded menu with an increased level of customization can lead to more revenue for operators—without lifting a finger.

With the increased demand for self-serve digital experiences, there has never been a greater opportunity for Office Coffee Service operators. During a time when consumers expect convenience, efficiency and fewer interactions with others, self-service kiosks are one of the easiest ways to perk up business. By giving 21st century users the experiences they’ve come to expect, you’ll increase both loyalty and sales—and that’s a sure bet for brewing success.

GAD Knows Experiential Vending Solutions

Learn More About Crane Vending Cashless Touchless Options
Learn More About Crane Vending Cashless Touchless Options 711 608 GAD Vending
Crane_Cashless_Brochure

Crane is the industry leader in cashless, touch-less options for vending and game machines. GAD Vending is an authorized distributor for Crane in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

3 Additional Ways Owner/Operators Can Keep Their Machines COVID Clean
3 Additional Ways Owner/Operators Can Keep Their Machines COVID Clean 368 255 GAD Vending

From Crane CPI Touchless Division: The public’s heightened concern for hygiene and safety has piqued interest in vending machines as an on-site sales solution that takes human-to-human contact out of the equation. You may find that your business is picking up, as a result, and that’s good news.

At the same time, operators may need to address customer concerns around hygiene and machine touchpoints. One top of mind solution on the brains of operators and OEMs alike is a “touchless” vending machine. While this kind of innovation isn’t out of the question, it will be one that takes time to develop and a sizable investment in new equipment to implement. At the very least, upon availability, we can expect it to require expensive adaptations to existing machines, or the requirement for new machines all together.

Instead, we’ve compiled best practices for operators looking to decrease touchpoints without a hefty pricetag. Read below for three ways to keep your machines and your customers safe.

1.   Minimize existing customer touchpoints with contactless payment options

Vending machines may be more than a convenience – in some spaces, they currently serve as the only food source available to essential workers in hospitals and warehouses. Optimizing machines to serve all customer needs by accommodating any payment method they prefer to use is essential to a successful vending operation. Machines should take cash or credit cards at a minimum, and in the wake of COVID-19, there is a growing demand for contactless and mobile payment options.

Making contactless payment an option is a smart investment for unattended markets. A report by RTi Research showed contactless use up 30% post-COVID-19 as consumers look for ways to reduce their exposure to publicly shared surfaces. Switching to a card reader that accepts contactless payments is an easy fix, if they are not already enabled.

When upgrading machines to accommodate contactless payment, consider investing in cashless hardware that is compatible with mobile apps, as well. These apps enable customers to make their entire transaction using their phone, eliminating several payment touchpoints at once. After they’ve made their selection and paid for it in the app, they just grab their item and go.

2.   Use digital media to guide customer behavior

Digital media, or advertisements at the point of sale, help to dramatically influence customer behavior, according to a study by CPI and Crane Medianet. Two goals can be achieved by using digital media screens on your vending machines:

First, screens can educate and inform consumers. Timely topics include best practices for social distancing, proper hand washing, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Messaging can be used to explain how (or how often) machines are cleaned and disinfected, or alert customers to PPE available for sale inside the machine.

Second, screens with advertisements for available products can help consumers decide what to buy. Reducing the amount of time a customer spends interacting with the machine reduces their exposure.

3.   Follow best practices for machine sanitation

Cleaning surfaces between each customer interaction is not practical in unattended retail, but operators can follow a basic set of guidelines to help keep machines clean and safe:

Educate personnel

Any of your staff that interact with machines must practice appropriate hygiene, including wearing masks and gloves. Have them change their gloves between sites and change their facemask every four hours. Before and after interacting with machines at each site, route drivers or technicians should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, per CDC guidelines.

Prepare your machines 

Coffee and refrigerated vending machines must have temperature levels checked and expired products discarded, as always, but also be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect customer touchpoints at every opportunity – especially on high-traffic machines. Operators should instruct drivers or local site management on the proper sanitization of machine doors, screens, buttons, and payment peripherals.

Follow appropriate guidelines 

Check with organizations like NAMA and EVA and follow their recommended guidelines for operators preparing to reopen their machines. Operators should update their safety practices regularly to maintain compliance with local governments and agencies.

Take immediate action to solve an immediate problem

Touchless vending is on the horizon, and that’s an exciting prospect for the future. But the hygiene concerns raised by COVID-19 are an immediate problem for which operators need an immediate solution. Operators can take the above steps right now to keep customers and staff as safe as possible while they continue to provide convenient access to essential items. Contact GAD Vending in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri for more information on the latest Crane Vending solutions for vending machines and touchless payment solutions.

Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part IV
Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part IV 298 297 GAD Vending

Reducing COVID-19 Exposure Risk with Contactless Payments

Previously, we delved into why vending is the ultimate solution in the convenience services industry in Part I, finding the right product to keep your vending machines disinfected and safe for your customers to use in Part II and best practices to properly clean your machine in Part III. In this final installment, we will focus on why cashless payment options are more important now than ever before.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is possible for a person to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or their eyes.  Potentially contaminated surfaces and objects that pose as infection risks include dollar bills and coins.

When it comes to the potential spread of COVID-19 through currency, some countries are taking an aggressive approach to reducing the risk of currency spreading COVID-19. China, for example, has been quarantining the country’s cash. The government collected banknotes and then sanitized the stacks of bills. From there, the currency was kept in isolation for 7-14 days before being released into the banking system.

While the United States has taken similar measures on currency that has come from Asia, steps such as those taken in China have not been taken on a widespread basis in the US. Even so, as consumer behavior changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect to see an acceleration in the already growing trend of cashless as consumers’ payment preference of choice in vending.

Recognizing the risk of COVID-19 exposure through surfaces and objects, many operators are being proactive in reducing the risk to consumers by ensuring their vending equipment is cleaned and sanitized on a more frequent basis and updating their fleets with cashless card readers.

“We see the cashless payment trend increasing, even while the crisis is happening, with a shift towards the use of contactless transactions.  The ability to offer cashless payment capabilities encourages consumer confidence,” said Carly Furman, CEO of Nayax LLC.

While the COVID-19 crisis is sure to bring unseen changes to the convenience services industry, we believe there is an underlying, long-term opportunity for operators.  The current crisis may increase the growing share of cashless transactions in vending, resulting in increasing operators’ profits. In fact, in a study done of 250,000 machines over an 18-month period, the number of total transactions increased by 26% on machines that allow for cashless payments.

According to the same study, there is a 37% increase in dollar spend when customers pay with a card versus cash. Customers are more inclined to purchase more than one item from the machine, simply because it is so easy to swipe their card. Although mobile payments only account for 5-7% of payments, that number is estimated to grow during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as people are looking to move away from making contact payments, such as cash.  Apple Pay and Google Pay use near-field communication (NFC) to power contactless payments. With NFC, consumers simply tap their phone to a compatible terminal such as a Greenlite device and the transaction is complete.

This is an unprecedented time for all of us, meaning that we have to adjust to the way we live our lives and operate our businesses. Adding a cashless card reader, such as Greenlite ensures you will not miss out on a sale due to payment acceptance limitations while providing a safe, contactless payment option for consumers. It also keeps you safe by providing you with access to inventory reports, maximizing machine fulfillment when it is needed.

For any questions regarding safe practices for your vending business or information about your U-Select-It vending equipment, contact GAD Vending at (402) 553-2812.

Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part II
Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part II 2560 1707 GAD Vending

From our partner manufacturer at USI Vending Machines: 

What Products Are Recommended to Safely Clean and Disinfect Vending Equipment?

Previously, we delved into why vending is the ultimate solution in the convenience services industry in Part I.  Part II of our four-part series will provide guidance on finding the right cleaning agent to keep your vending equipment disinfected and safe for your customers to use.

As communicated by the European Vending Association, even with the secured product control offered by vending, it is extremely important to clean and disinfect vending equipment often, especially considering the current health crisis due to COVID-19.  Fortunately, the cleaning and disinfecting process for vending equipment is easy and cost-effective. All components on vending equipment, including electronics, keypads, plastic surfaces, and glass surfaces, can be effectively cleaned and disinfected with warm, mild soapy water.

Why is soap so effective against bacteria and viruses, such as the Coronavirus?  Soap is comprised of two-sided molecules. One side is attracted to water; the other side is attracted to fat. Viruses, such as the Coronavirus, are comprised of material surrounded by a coating of proteins and fat. When viruses interact with soap, the soap molecules rip that fat coating out. Soap literally demolishes viruses in as little as 20 seconds.  To learn more about why soap is U-Select-It’s preferred cleaning and disinfectant agent, check out National Geographic’s article Why soap is preferable to bleach in the fight against the coronavirus.

There are commercial-grade cleaning and disinfectant options such as Kay 5 Chlorinating Sanitizer, which is highly effective against bacteria and fungus, and is used primarily for kitchen equipment, soft serve and shake machines and kitchen utensils.  Another option is PURELL® Foodservice Surface Sanitizer, an EPA registered multi-surface sanitizer/disinfectant approved for use on food-contact surfaces with no-rinse required and is currently registered in all 50 states.

If you choose to use a commercial-grade product, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix these products with ammonia or any other cleanser. Also, check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date.  Expired products will likely not be as effective against coronaviruses. You can view all EPA approved disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 HERE.

For more information on best practices to sanitize your vending equipment or other equipment questions, please contact GAD Vending at (402) 553-2812.

How should you go about cleaning your vending machine? Find out more at our Part III..

 

Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part I
Vending Machines – A Controlled, Safe Method to Provide Food and Beverages to Consumers – Part I 981 890 GAD Vending

From our partner vending manufacturer at USI Vending:  

Why Vending is the Ultimate Controlled Dispensing Solution for the Convenience Services Industry

As organizations modify their operations and procedures to best keep employees and customers safe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping across our nation and the world, the need to safely provide food and beverage options remains critical.

According to the National Merchandising Association (NAMA), “Through our unique food distribution system, our industry can be the greatest source of “contactless” nourishment to over 40 million consumers with food and beverages daily, and it is all accomplished in an unattended retail environment, often with round the clock availability.”

Federal and State governments, along with the CDC, are encouraging social distancing, including reducing or eliminating face-to-face encounters with alternative options such as contactless delivery and self-serve options.  In workplaces, this includes re-evaluating how food and beverages are offered to employees. For example, in the past weeks, many organizations have shuttered cafeterias to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Recently the NIH and CDC released information on the Coronavirus’ lifespan on surfaces.

  • Airborne: 30 minutes to 3 hours
  • Cardboard: 24 hours
  • Stainless Steel: 2 days
  • Plastic: 3 days

These guidelines have prompted many organizations to further re-evaluate self-serve convenience service options deployed in their organizations such as unattended retail markets.  The risks in these applications is that the food and beverage products are not controlled in such that consumers can pick-up products and return them to the shelves for the next consumer to handle.  With COVID-19 having up to a three-day lifespan on items such as bottled beverages and clam shell salad containers, unattended retail applications may pose a risk of being a spreading point within organizations.

Unlike unattended retail markets where consumers can access and return the food and beverage products, vending requires consumers to purchase the product(s) before the consumer is able to touch the product(s).  Just think in a micro market setting how many people before you may have picked up that plastic bottled beverage or salad in a plastic clam shell before you and put it back on the shelf.

Besides the product itself having the opportunity to be handled by multiple people in a micro market application, another consideration is the cleanliness of micro market hardware itself.  For example, when consumers access products in micro markets they often come in contact with shelving holding the product. You have risk of direct exposure on the shelf itself, as well as transfer exposure from the product.  Being full secured access, this is not a concern or risk when it comes to vending, as only the operator has access to the interior of the machine including the shelving.

Vending offers the ultimate secured access solution and allows organizations to safely provide employees and consumers with food and beverage products, with little to no risk of contamination from numerous other individuals handling the product.

According to the European Vending Association, “Vending machines are a reliable and safe way to obtain food and beverages. Vending machine operators place food safety as top priority in their daily service, and are trained in protection against infections. During the current health crisis, operators have also put in place measures to ensure that the disinfection of machine surfaces is also carried out as regularly as possible.”

For more information or other equipment questions about USI Vending machines in the Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri area; please contact GAD Vending at (402) 553-2812

GAD Vending

Greater America Distributing (GAD Vending) is your premier marketer of vending equipment and amusement games in Mid America.  The company has been operating for over 30 years with offices in Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; and Grimes, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines.

Omaha

6161 Grover Street, Omaha,
NE 68106

1-402-553-2812
[email protected]

1-402-553-2812
[email protected]

Kansas City

3230 Roanake Road, Kansas City,
MO 64111

1-816-531-4300
[email protected]

1-816-531-4300
[email protected]

Des Moines

2105 SE 37 Street, Grimes,
Iowa 50111

1-515-278-4455
[email protected]

1-515-278-4455
[email protected]

Greater America Distributing

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