Retail
Byte Technology’s versatile smart kiosk technology is driving the growth of unattended retail in non-traditional sectors like healthcare and education.
Photo: Adobe Stock
April 11, 2025 by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group
In the dynamic landscape of unattended retail, innovation often lies in identifying and capitalizing on untapped opportunities. Byte Technology, a company specializing in smart kiosk hardware and software, has strategically positioned itself to enable kiosk operators and manufacturers to venture beyond traditional vending paradigms. By offering versatile and adaptable technology, Byte is facilitating the deployment of automated retail solutions in burgeoning sectors like healthcare, higher education and niche consumer markets.
Founded with an initial foray into full-service kiosk operation, Byte Technology’s pivot towards a pure-play technology focus in 2020 signaled a commitment to providing the foundational tools necessary for a diverse range of unattended retail applications. This strategic evolution allows the company to concentrate on refining its hardware and software platform, creating solutions that can be readily adopted across various industries.
Kiosk Marketplace spoke with Byte founder and VP of sales Lee Mokri in a zoom interview to learn more about how this kind of technology is being leveraged for diverse uses.
Tailoring kiosks to specific environments
A key differentiator for Byte is the adaptability of its smart kiosk platform. Unlike traditional vending machines often limited to specific product types, Byte’s technology supports a wide array of goods, from fresh meals and perishable items requiring refrigeration or freezing to retail products and even essential amenities. This flexibility opens doors for kiosk deployments in environments where conventional vending solutions fall short.
Consider the healthcare sector. According to Mokri, hospitals are increasingly seeking convenient, 24/7 access to fresh food for staff working non-traditional hours. Byte’s smart fridges are being implemented to address this need, offering a viable alternative to closed cafeterias. Furthermore, the platform’s adaptability extends to providing essential retail items like chargers, batteries and personal care products in areas catering to patients and visitors, demonstrating a move beyond typical vending fare.
«We’ve got others that use our cabinets and they’re putting health and beauty type products into it. Sundry type products outside hotels where it’s T-shirts and hats, towels and lip balm. And we’ve got some in children’s hospitals where the parents are there overnight and they’re looking for chargers and batteries and deodorant and toothbrushes,» added Mokri.
The higher education landscape also presents significant opportunities. Universities are leveraging Byte’s kiosks to enhance campus amenities, providing students with convenient access to meals and snacks in dorms and communal spaces. This not only improves student satisfaction but also offers on-campus food service operators an additional revenue stream, extending their reach beyond traditional dining halls.
«If I’m a student and it’s not even the middle of the night at 6 o’clock and I’m sitting in my dorm and I’m like, ‘I do not want to walk across campus to the cafe. I also don’t want to wait 30 or 45 minutes for a DoorDash and then pay 10, 20% in fees.’ Just walk downstairs and grab an entree that’s being served in the cafe here in the lobby instead,» Mokri said.
Tapping into niche retail markets with flexible technology
Byte Technology’s impact extends to empowering entrepreneurs and smaller businesses to tap into niche retail markets through unattended solutions. Mokri described compelling examples of ranchers selling frozen meats directly to consumers via Byte’s freezer kiosks, and bakeries extending their sales reach with automated pie vending. These use cases underscore the platform’s versatility in accommodating diverse product types and enabling businesses to reach customers in unconventional locations.
The core technology – featuring secure access, automated inventory management and contactless payment – provides the infrastructure necessary for these varied applications. Operators can customize the product offerings within the kiosks to precisely match the needs of their target environment, moving beyond the limitations of standardized vending selections. The kiosk itself tracks inventory and charges customers based on what they select.
«Take a drink, take a snack, take a meal. You can pick things up from the back and put them back in different places so it’s totally open shelving. But when you close the door, it’ll lock again and re inventory. So if there’s 100 items in there before you open the door and there’s 96 items after you close the door, it knows which four items are missing and charges your credit card,» Mokri said.
Charting new territory in unattended retail
Byte Technology’s strategic focus on versatile and adaptable smart kiosk solutions is proving instrumental in expanding the footprint of unattended retail. By enabling operators and manufacturers to effectively serve diverse sectors like healthcare, education and niche consumer markets, the company is unlocking new revenue streams and redefining the potential of automated commerce beyond traditional vending. As these non-traditional deployments continue to gain traction, Byte Technology’s flexible platform positions it as a key enabler in this evolving landscape.
About Sandra Carpenter
Sandra is the editor of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times. She has been working in editorial and research roles for over a decade and has experience in print, blog, social media and peer-reviewed publications.
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