Vending Equipment

Introducing The U-Select-It Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser
Introducing The U-Select-It Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser 2560 1707 GAD Vending

Getting expensive to provide PPE to customers and staff? Want to give people a quick and easy way to get their own PPE? The Sani-Center PPE Vending Machine provides easy access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety supplies via a contactless payment experience.

U-Select-It is pleased to introduce the Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser. The Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser is specially designed to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and disinfecting supplies safely and easily to consumers.

With social distancing being the new norm, consumers are encouraged to reduce the amount of face-to-face interaction. In addition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contaminated surfaces and objects including dollar bills and coins present a potential transmission risk for some infectious diseases.

The Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser allows consumers to access the essential PPE and safety products they need through a contactless payment experience and without having to wait in a checkout line or interact with a cashier.

The Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser allows consumers to pay for products with credit cards, debit cards or a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay and Google Pay that utilize near-field communication (NFC). With NFC, consumers simply tap their phone to a compatible device and the transaction is complete. The SaniCenter PPE Merchandiser is also equipped with PayRange, a mobile payment platform. Utilizing Bluetooth via a mobile phone, PayRange offers consumers yet another contactless payment option.

“The Sani-Center is designed to suit the practical needs of operators’ clients and is just another example of USI’s mission to deliver valuable merchandising solutions,” said James Chico, USI Vice President of Global Sales.

Available in two sizes, the Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser features up to 25 selections in a small footprint, ideal for space-restricted locations. While the larger Sani-Center Plus PPE Merchandiser features up to 36 selections, and provides maximum product versatility and capacity. Both models feature configurable flex trays, allowing products of various shapes and sizes to be purchased including small disinfectant spray bottles, travel sized hand sanitizers, medical face masks, sanitizing wipes latex gloves, kleenex, band aids, and other PPE supplies

Learn more about Sani-Center PPE Merchandiser from U-Select-It, contact GAD Vending for more information. (402) 553-2812

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

Best Practices for Cleaning and Disinfecting Vending Machines

Previously, we delved into why vending is the ultimate solution in the convenience services industry in Part I and finding the right product to keep your vending machines disinfected and safe for your customers to use in Part II. Part III of our four-part series will provide best practices to properly clean your machine, without causing damage to the equipment.

While U-Select-It recommends soapy water for cleaning and disinfecting vending equipment, the choice is up to you.  Regardless of what type of cleaner you choose, here are some Best Practices for Cleaning Vending Equipment.

  • Recommended supplies:
    • Disposable non-linting cloths (‘contact’, ‘non-contact’ & ‘external’)
    • Clean disposable gloves
    • Plastic scraper
    • Spray bottle w/ cleaning solution
    • Glass cleaner or similar for cleaning the window
  • Ensure the machine is Switched OFF before completing any cleaning tasks.
  • Do not apply or spray the soapy water solution directly onto surfaces that could or might leak directly onto electrical components such as the keypad or touch screen.  Where this is a possibility the soapy water should be applied to a ‘clean’ cloth which then should be used to wipe the surface to be sanitized.

Why do I need three separate cleaning cloths?  The ‘contact’ cloth should be used on areas of the machine that come into contact with areas of consumer interaction.  The ‘non-contact’ cloth should be used on internal areas of the machine. The ‘external’ cloth should be used on all external surfaces with the exception of areas of the machine that are exposed to consumer interactions.

Some Do’s and Don’ts:

  • Do not use metal scrapers
  • Do not put any of the machine’s internal parts on the floor
  • Do not take water for cleaning from a toilet area
  • Always wear protective gloves
  • Always use the correct cleaning agent for the application and follow the manufacturer’s instructions

In many grocery and retail stores, it is commonplace to see self-serve sanitizing wipes for customers to use.  To help ensure your equipment stays clean and provide peace of mind to consumers, if possible, provide sanitizing wipes at or near your equipment.

As with all individuals working in convenience services in a food-handling role, an operator who is suffering any form of illness should inform their supervisor and not perform any work sanitizing the vending equipment.

Safe sanitation is crucial now more than ever for your vending equipment. For more information on best practices to sanitize your vending equipment or other equipment questions, please contact U-Select-It at 1-800-247-8709 or your local distributor GAD Vending at (402) 553-2812.

With consumers using cashless often due to sanitary concerns, Part IV focuses on why cashless payment options are more important than ever. 

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 offers VOC Media Drink Vending Machines for fresh brewed coffee with no touch preparation.
GAD Vending offers VOC Media Drink Vending Machines for fresh brewed coffee with no touch preparation.
GAD Vending offers VOC Media Drink Vending Machines in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.

The Best (Vending Machine) Coffee
The Best (Vending Machine) Coffee 642 410 GAD Vending

Exceed your vending customer expectations by offering barista-quality coffee from VOCE. Using the same technology found at your local coffee shop, VOCE delivers consistently delicious coffee drinks made with fresh ground coffee beans or pre ground coffee in a touchless vending machine.

Transformative Coffee Experience

Vending machine coffee was the brunt of many jokes, and for a long time, that was okay. But Crane EMS took notice, did their homework and developed the VOCE Media Coffee Vending machine.

  • 18 delicious selections
  • Integrated touchless payment system
  • Reliable performance
  • Energy efficient
  • Simplified maintenance
  • Small footprint

Transform the office! Each drink is consistently delivered with stellar taste, aroma, color and appearance. Choose to use the whole bean experience. Each cup has fresh ground coffee, flavored to the customer’s wish. No shared condiments. No shared coffee pots. Each cup is prepared in a touchless, closed environment.

Get rid of the common coffee pots. Gone are the coffee pod manual systems. Finally, the common creamer, sugars, teas and drink mixes are no longer. The VOCE Media coffee vending machine is self contained, so there is less touch then a normal coffee station. If used in an employee break room, payment can be touchless with an employee badge.

The Crane VOCE Media hot beverage vending machine is available at GAD Vending in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

Meet Cora: Crane Cashless Next Generation Telemeter
Meet Cora: Crane Cashless Next Generation Telemeter 1165 673 GAD Vending
CORA-sell-sheet-final-12032018

CORA is the next generation retrofit telemeter from Crane. As an upgraded hardware solution, CORA is designed and built with a number of high tech features that maximize efficiency while keeping your machines up and running at peak performance. GAD Vending is a Crane Cashless distributor in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

GAD Vending offers VOC Media Drink Vending Machines in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.
GAD Vending offers VOC Media Drink Vending Machines for fresh brewed coffee with no touch preparation.
GAD Vending offers VOC Media Drink Vending Machines for fresh brewed coffee with no touch preparation.

Tell the Boss to Replace the (Gross) Common Office Coffee Station
Tell the Boss to Replace the (Gross) Common Office Coffee Station 642 410 GAD Vending

Common coffee stations – with all the pots and condiments – is a single germy touch point of employees all day. Fix your break room with an easy and popular fix – get a Crane VOCE Media coffee vending machine.

VOCE MEDIA DRINK SELECTIONS

Perception meets reality. From the moment when a made-to-order selection is made, to choosing the most convenient method of touchless payment, to the interactive messaging, to the delivery of a delicious finished drink. VOCE Media delivers a positive employee experience.

VOCE Media serves barista style specialty beverages that broaden appeal to everyone in the office, all day long. Using the same brewing process and equipment as popular coffee houses, the VOCE Media finished drink profile mirrors all of the important attributes of consistency, taste, aroma, color and appearance. The Crane VOCE Media drink machines can be loaded with premium coffee beans that are ground for each cup. Treat your employees to a better coffee.

VOCE MEDIA PROMOTES DAILY USE WITH TOUCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

Hot beverages are an essential part of our office life. Providing refreshment, enjoyment and comfort. Coffee and tea wake us up, stimulate good conversation and fulfill our occasional desire for indulgence with a wonderful hot chocolate. It’s a very personal process and that’s why the VOCE Media ATM user interface puts the end user in control. People create their favorite by determining the drink, strength of coffee, the amount of sugar or creamer – and receive a personal PIN for reordering.

Looking at everything in the office to create a COVID free environment? Get rid of the manual pod machine. No more coffee pots that someone has to fill, clean and sanitize. And, you can get rid of all the common condiments – gone is the old creamers, sugar and powdered drink mixes. Gone is sanitizing the common break room counter between every cup of coffee from the pot. Gone is morning coffee runs out of the office.

GAD Vending sells Crane VOCE Media hot beverage vending machines in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Call us to try a cup from a Crane VOCE Media vending machine.

 

Crane Vending Machine Touchless Purchasing options.

Looking at starting a small business? What about a vending machine business?
Looking at starting a small business? What about a vending machine business? 1000 656 GAD Vending

Coming out of stay-at-home into safer-at-home, many are looking for different ways to start a business with less contact. The vending machine route business could be for you.

  1. Be your own boss.
  2. Today’s hard work earns money for you, not someone else.
  3. Your time becomes yours. As your route grows, you set your hours (along with your customers) of when to fill, clean and service your machines.
  4. You control your business.
  5. Create a business with passive income so your family isn’t reliant on only one channel of income.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Like any business you’d look at to start, do your homework.

Research the vending machine business. There are many articles and books on what this business is about. If you want to shadow a vending route sales person, let GAD Vending know. We can help you find someone in the industry. You’ll want to learn what a typical day could look like. What the newest technology brings to the business. How you can manage your inventory and time during your day.

Ask if there is an existing vending route for sale. Do the numbers with your trusted financial team to determine the best ways to start your business.

Discuss within your family and friends to see if this business makes sense for you. With any business start-up, it’s important to have support of your network.

READY?

  • Start by contacting the SBA and SCORE. These organizations have resources for business planning, legal start-up, financing options and free business mentoring.
  • Talk with your banker, CPA and other trusted business sources.
  • Research the best vending machines, vending machine repair parts, payment acceptance options and refill inventory options.
  • Find the best locations for your vending machines, and go secure those locations.

Starting any business requires tenacity, hard work, and perseverance.  GAD Vending has sold vending machines, games, ATM and other equipment for over 30 years. Our sales and equipment repair service are located in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. We are here to be a resource for our customers, the vending machine route operator, and for you. Call us, we are here to answer your questions.

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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