Vending Equipment

5 Tips for Selecting the Right Vending Management System
5 Tips for Selecting the Right Vending Management System 1800 1200 GAD Vending

Succeeding with Vending Management System

While most vending operators are well aware of the importance of a good vending management system (VMS), when it comes to continued investment in new technology, making the right choices can be tricky. With an ever-expanding field of providers and experts, operators face a lot of decisions. We break down the best way for operators to shop when they’re looking to add new features and functionality to their VMS.

1.    Pick an Open Platform Solution

When it comes to making a new investment, the last thing you’ll want to have to worry about is migrating data. Look for solutions that provide an open platform with multiple integration options data sharing between your VMS and other business systems.

2.   Pick a solution that is intuitive

New technology means time spent onboarding employees both new and seasoned. When it comes to investing in add-ons to their VMS, operators should focus on platforms that are intuitive and user-friendly to maximize employee use and minimize training needs.

3.    Pick a solution that allows employees to use their own devices

An investment in new technology seems expensive, especially when hardware is considered, but with a focus on mobile technology, these expenses can be negated. Operators should seek solutions that are mobile-friendly (across both Apple and Android operating systems) and ideally allow associates to access software tools right from their own mobile devices or tablets. Additionally, technologies that are compatible with cloud-based systems that allow for the dissolution of location-based servers.

4.    Prioritize real-time data

Data means actionable insights, but only if you have it when you need it. Prioritize live data that can be shared between drivers in the field and supervisors in the office to increase efficiency in every route visit.

5.    Pick a solution that allows phased upgrades

For operators with large workforces, the idea of having to update everyone’s devices can be daunting. Operators should look for platforms that allow for phased upgrades, enabling them to update as they replace old devices. This means you can follow an upgrade path that is modular and can be executed in phase.

The Takeaway

As you continue to update and invest in your Vending Management System, ask us how you can implement smart, economical solutions that maximize efficiency in your operation.

 

Self Check Out Solutions
Self Check Out Solutions 750 520 GAD Vending

GAD Knows Self Check-Out

GAD is a proud authorized distributor for Crane CPI solutions.

Think self check out is a solution for your business? Any size business can benefit with flexible and cost effective self-checkout solutions. We work for retailers, bars, restaurants, gas stations – anyone that needs help with quick checkout.

Self checkout satisfies grab and go, multi-payment solutions and self checkout. GAD offers turnkey solutions, custom solutions and creative payment solutions.

Don’t loose customers to lines. 81% of customers avoid stores with long lines.

Reimagine Kiosks
Reimagine Kiosks 988 675 GAD Vending

Reimagine Self Service Ordering and Payment

If it’s easy, convenient and stream line, customers and employees have learned to take care of it themselves. Sometimes a kiosk replaces a long line for ordering. A kiosk can also be places to receive payments like utilities. A kiosk can provide an immersive experience. A kiosk can be an employee portal to buying from the company store, ordering from the cafeteria, or becoming immersed in more about the company they work for with timely messaging.

Reimagine a totally seamless ordering experience where your customers’ have the time, freedom and flexibility to explore the menu, add to cart, and check out all without waiting in line, making small talk or trying to read a menu and make up their mind at the same time. Make this fantasy a reality when you engage GAD to help you achieve your self service plan.

Capitalize on reducing staff. Helping your customer with a more immersive experience then they may get on their phone. Add flexibility and service without adding employees.

Reimagine Vending Coffee
Reimagine Vending Coffee 988 675 GAD Vending

Reimage Changing Your Brand Loyalty in 6 Square Feet

It’s hard to compete with Big Coffee when they have a shop on every street corner and a box on every grocery store shelf, but it doesn’t have to
be. Instead, colonize the corner of every car dealership, bakery, gym, and daycare drop off with custom, bean grinding coffee machines. Your brew is there to earn new loyalists whenever, wherever they feel the urge for caffeine. Our COTI customizable self-service coffee machine lets you design your
experience. When your customers want a cup of coffee, you’ll be the first brand they see.

Gone are the days of instant coffee. If you think self-service can’t offer a premium selection, luxury experience and high-end taste, think again. We
build and fill per your requirements. Want to offer specialty drinks? Want to have a coffee plus other hot beverages? Want the fresh ground bean experience? Just tell us what you want.

If you’re ready to promote your brand, open new revenue streams, and keep your propriety blends top of mind and palate for everyone, talk to us.

Reimagine Vending
Reimagine Vending 988 675 GAD Vending

Coming out of COVID there are new business facts many are struggling with – and reimagining vending can jump in to help your bottom line.

Is your business positioned to make a sale at the exact right moment, 24/7? Are your products were your customers are? Would eliminating staff help your overall business? Take a moment and brainstorm new solutions.

Sell at the Airport

What a better place to find specialty customers that are in a hurry and will spend at a premium to get what they want when they want it.

This goes for a variety of food options, drinks, and specialty items like beauty and electronics. And, GAD can help you customize your vending machine to enhance your brand vision.

If you are a manufacturer or importer, this is an excellent place to seek new end users and bring in a new revenue stream with minimal efforts.

And, with a vending machine, you limit theft, employee costs and can automate payment processing to reduce cash.

Sell at a Festival

It takes a tremendous amount of capital investment to promote a concert, festival or outdoor event. To become a long term business, it takes keeping the immediate gratification of event goers happy.

Most events only consider food trucks – which is a great idea but sometimes they have issues from not enough food to too long cook times to breaks in the music can cause very long wait times (drags down the entire vibe). If you are looking to speed up service to your event goers and increase your profits, vending can supplement your food service.

Add vending machines with snacks, healthy food options or quick meals. Vending machines can be there to dispense quick comfort items like sunscreen, breath aides, hand sanitizer and other beauty items. A vending machine can also dispense liquids. Even alcohol if you have necessary restrictions already in place.

Sell at a School

Middle and High schools are excellent locations for vending machines.

A specialty vending machine can be stocked with all types of student supplies like folders, calculators, pens and paper. And, most students have phones so they can pay without having to bring extra money to school. Vending machines can be specially outfitted to replace a school store. Consider stocking with school colors, branded t-shirts and any specialty items for game day.

This is an excellent idea for PTA’s or student organizations to raise money. It can be used as a learning tool for the business class as it can teach inventory, cost of goods, accounting and marketing.

Sell at a Swimming Pool

What’s better in the summer than a swimming pool? But that can be easily changed to a nightmare when you forget the sunscreen.

A swimming pool – neighborhood, city park or hotel pool can be a great place for a specialty vending machine stocked not just with sunscreen but googles, water wings, absorbent towels and so much more.

 

The best part is, this frees up staff to be invested in safety instead of selling something.

 

Sell at the Gym 

What does everyone need a the gym? Sell it in a vending machine!

Vending goes so far beyond just selling healthy foods and drinks from a vending machines. Try loading with….

  • Head phones.
  • Chargers.
  • Specialty lifting gloves.
  • Microfiber towels.
  • Specialty phone armbands.
  • After workout muscle pain remedies.

Looking for more inspiration? Try the QR code below. Call GAD and we can help.

Adding a Coin Counter is Smart Business
Adding a Coin Counter is Smart Business 1009 818 GAD Vending

The fastest, most reliable and highly accurate coin counter machine. Coinmax™ is a self-service coin counting machine which is fast, highly accurate, easy to use and best of all…affordably priced.

Make the most of coin-saving habits and leverage the high demand for coin redemption by adding a coin counting machine to your business.

  • Financial institutions benefit from increased branch traffic, enhanced customer loyalty and improved teller line efficiencies.
  • Grocery stores can make more profit as well as improve customer service by adding a reliable and easy-to-use coin counting machine to their storefront.
  • Gaming establishments can free-up cashiers, generate incremental revenue and recycle coin in-house.

All models feature:

  • Against the wall or through the wall configurations
  • DIP card reader for direct deposit options at credit unions or banks
  • On-screen advertising for promotions and up-selling with sound and video

Features

  • Bin or bag-style coin collection options:

– Single bin – 70,000 mixed coin capacity

– Dual bin – 140,000 mixed coin capacity

– Bag capture with 8 or 16 sorted bags

– 78,000 coins total in 16 bags

– 36,000 coins total in 8 bags

– Bag capture with 16 mixed bags – 80,000 coins total

  • Enhanced coin discrimination: suspect coins are uncounted and diverted to a coin-return cup instantly with no interruption to sorting. Accuracy is a critical component in coin processing. When properly operated and maintained Coinmax™’s high-precision coin discrimination technology differentiates coin more precisely, providing more accurate totals.
  • Advanced debris management: non-coin debris such as paper clips, screws, bolts and bent coin are diverted to a debris cup for easy disposal, preventing interference with coin processing.
  • Efficient bag management: simpler, more intuitive bag management screens present full bags to the attendant without reaching into the machine for access. Enables faster bag changing making less work for attendant and machine is back in service quickly.
  • Multiple user fee options: provide multiple levels of consumer-defined user fees.  Includes the ability to waive fees for account holders, assess fees for non-account holders and set transaction limit amounts to determine when user fees are applied.
  • Extensive transaction reporting: allows for the monitoring of tasks performed, transaction histories, usage and machine statistics for management reports.
  • Multiple languages: allows custom tailoring of language to your consumers.
  • Customizable transaction receipt: your logo or message can be printed on the top and bottom of the consumer receipt.
  • Coin program options: flexible coin program options let you buy, lease, rent or place a self-service coin counter in your store, branch, or casino.

Payback Math

While every business has a different payback calculation, this is just an example of what a grocery store could experience. Depending on leasing the coin counting machine or purchasing, expected payback on $2,800 a week in coin volume and a user fee of 11.9%, the years to payback are under 2.1 years.

Coin recycling is also critical. Business’ can reduce their purchased coin spend by recycling what comes through the coin counting machines.

This is the fastest, most reliable and highly accurate coin counter machine around. CoinMax is a self service solution and is fast, highly accurate and affordably priced.

GAD is a certified Crane Coinmax distributor. Our sales team can help you with the best locations for this machine and security tips and tricks.

How Vending Can Solve Fourth Wall Revenue
How Vending Can Solve Fourth Wall Revenue 2048 1011 GAD Vending

Most retailers have dead space that isn’t earning as much revenue as it should. Smart, large box retailers look at every inch to make sure they maximize not only customer experience but also profitability. And so should you.

Vending is an excellent way to achieve this.

First, vending machines aren’t cheap but they are unattended, use very little floor space and can be changed out to various uses as demand dictates. For example, who would have thought 6 years ago we’d be outfitting PPE solution vending machines? But the pandemic changed that.

Vending machines payment solutions have changed with the times as well. While cash is accepted, there are touchless solutions available as well. There are apps as well so returning customers can program their favorites in for quick ordering. The apps also help the vending owner with inventory control, out of service issues and so much more!

Plus vending machines can be so easily branded to your business. Give your customer added flexibility to choose what they want, when they want it.

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking how a specialty vending machine can satisfy your customer and increase your cash flow:

  • Give the bartender a helping hand! Bars are using vending machines to vend individual drink options like champagne, canned drinks and beer. (Visit your state’s liquor license requirements first.) These drink vending machines are also popular at festivals, entertainment zones, concerts and other venues with a closed area, high traffic and a party waiting to happen!
  • Put a vending machine near a swimming pool. Load it with sunscreen, inflatables and water wings.
  • In a school, vending machines can have office supplies, binders and all types of classroom necessities.
  • Showroom samples are easily branded in a vending machine.
  • Employee vending machines can have a mini store stocked with over the counter medications, simple safety items, and more.
  • Put in a Crane coffee vending machine with a whole bean grinder to replace a coffee station or expensive k-cup machine.
  • A beauty vending machine has many possibilities to maximize floor space. Try in a mall, airport or hotel – wherever they is high foot traffic.
  • Add a utility payment kiosk.
  • A coin changer machines are a popular machine. It helps your customer redeem their coins and gives you a source of change for your establishment.
  • Create an electronics vending machine with headphones, chargers and other electronics to create a shoplifting secure, unattended solution.

For more ideas, take a look at Crane’s LookBook here. Contact GAD for more ideas, brainstorming and information.

GAD Knows Vending

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

EV Charging Stations – Wallet Friendly Payment Solutions
EV Charging Stations – Wallet Friendly Payment Solutions 2048 1366 GAD Vending

Choosing Payment Technology to Succeed in a Dynamic Market

There’s no doubt that the time for electric vehicle adoption is here. To date it is estimated that there are more than 16.5 million electric cars on the road. Furthermore, all major auto manufacturers are pushing forward updates to their leading models to integrate more EV options for consumers. Thus, sparking the opportunity for several new players to enter this space.

However, with an increase in electric vehicle adoption comes a need for drivers to have convenient locations to charge their batteries when they are on the road, providing another major opportunity for the parking industry.

Wallet-friendly payment solutions to reduce EV charge anxiety 

One obvious difference between a traditional ICE and an electric vehicle is “refueling” time. For an EV, the experience is much longer in comparison to ICE vehicles, even with fast charging technology. Therefore, charge anxiety has, to an extent, replaced range anxiety in the minds of EV drivers. Battery performance has been a major focus in recent years and ranges of more than 350 miles are being quoted on specifications of new models.2

Additionally, a need that EV drivers are facing is paying for the power to get back on the road again. Therefore, a simple, convenient, and “wallet friendly” EV charger must be a consideration since ease and flexibility in a complex world is a win. Nothing more certain to increase anxiety than not being able to charge up and go!

As a result, minimizing charge anxiety and delivering a charging experience that is consistent, reliable, and simple is your task regardless of your role – as an EV charging manufacturer or parking operator.

Easing charge anxiety with reliability and consistency  

Fortunately, the Alio™ Pro is here to help you meet those needs, ensuring that you’re better prepared to support your end users. With the Alio™ Pro, you’ll be able to:

  • Accept everything in your customer’s wallet:
    •  We may all love an app but it’s often not feasible to expect customers to have an app already downloaded. So, Alio™ Pro accepts:

    • Offer your customer a reward or incentive to park at your property again:
      •  Simply add a QR code that creates a voucher or tie in a pre-existing loyalty or bonus program
    • Ensure reliability:
      • CPI handles 4 billion transactions weekly and is trusted by many of the world’s largest financial institutions and retailers.

So, where better to charge your vehicle than where it must be stationary! Park your car, plug in, and go about your other activities – shop, eat, work – with the assurance that your EV is ready to go when you are. Multi-tasking at its finest!

As a certified distributor of Crane Vending products, call the GAD sales team to learn how this can increase your cash flow.

1 Source: https://www.iea.org/news/global-electric-car-sales-have-continued-their-strong-growth-in-2022-after-breaking-records-last-year

2 Source: https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/electric/longest-range-electric-cars-ev/

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.

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

© 2023 Gad Vending. All Rights Reserved.

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