Vending machines have become more accessible with a lower cost of entry and software integration capability, making them ideal for point-of-use supply management in previously untapped markets.
Image courtesy of 1sourcevend.
In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses are looking for an edge that helps them stand out and keep up with record-high demand. Those companies are looking for more from their supply partners outside of traditional pricing agreements and are demanding more value in exchange for their business.
Value-added services like inventory vending programs are one way that businesses can deliver that value while increasing wallet share and customer stickiness. Recent advances such as low-cost technology and simple, yet powerful software in some of today’s vending solutions have made this value-added solution accessible to businesses large and small.
Vending programs give businesses more control over their inventory spend and usage and offer employees easy access to supplies needed for improved production flow. In addition to standard helix-coil vending machines, lockers units, drawer cabinets and tabletop machines are possible options to vend almost any inventory item.
When inventory machines are placed on a work site, users don’t have to worry about fumbling for change. Unlike the traditional retail vending machines used for snacks and beverages, inventory machines don’t require cash or credit cards to vend items. Instead, employees have access to mission critical items by way of a smart card, PIN or RFID.
In addition to ease of use, vending software provides increased visibility into vended items, helping with inventory tracking, forecasting and purchasing as well as employee compliance.
Beyond the traditional use
Inventory vending machines have long proven to be a viable solution for vending industrial workplace items of all sizes including: tools, disposable gloves, hydration products, janitorial and sanitation supplies, maintenance supplies, office supplies, personal protective equipment, safety items and spare parts.
Vending machines have since become more accessible with a lower cost of entry and software integration capability, making them an ideal choice for point-of-use supply management in previously untapped markets.
What’s more, today’s coil vending machines are durable with tempered glass enabling the machines to withstand harsh conditions and repeated use. As a result, vending continues to expand in industries such as the following.
Medical offices
Vending machines in doctors’ offices and hospitals are a familiar sight. However, vending goes beyond dispensing snacks and beverages. Today, vending machines are used to offer veterinary customers direct access to prescriptions and supplies in lobbies and carry necessary supplies for employees in restricted hospital locations.
Staff can enter a code or scan a badge for round-the-clock access to medical supplies, medications and first aid items. Combined with inventory control software, these medical items can be closely tracked for usage details and restocking information.
Vending machines do more than provide a convenient service. Fast access to mission-critical items can reduce wait times and allow response teams to do what they do best, respond to emergencies.
Mining
Mining is dangerous work. The risk of cave-ins, toxic air and extreme temperatures are just a few of the risks. Vending machines can vend essential mining products that include safety-related items, intrinsically-safe flashlights, PPE, hydration products, cooling products and high-visibility apparel.
Vending enables businesses to better track employee compliance, improve operational efficiency and reduce the likelihood of worker injury or illness. When used with inventory control software, businesses can document PPE usage and ensure better PPE compatibility, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Oil and gas
In addition to storing mission-critical supplies, vending machines provide added reassurance for workers on site. In dangerous industries such as oil and gas, workers are exposed to a myriad of dangers including the risk of toxic fume inhalation.
Fortunately, technological advances like gas detection monitors can continuously monitor conditions and alert workers if an area is unsafe. However, for those devices to remain effective, they must be carefully maintained, calibrated and stored.
Oil and gas companies are now turning to vending options like locker units to store expensive equipment. Not only do workers have secure access to the PPE they need to work safely, but some inventory management software actually locks in used items, then creates an alert for site managers who then routinely check monitors and battery life and verify functionality before unlocking the item for use again.
Automotive shops
Many automotive repair shops run multiple shifts. As a result, it can be challenging to manage inventory items throughout the day. Traditional vending machines as well as options like vending drawer cabinets for tools and lockers for power tools paired with inventory control software improve employee access, reduce consumption and drive accountability on inventory including disposable items like sandpaper and disposable gloves, as well as returnable items like cleaning products, paint thinner and adhesives.
Customizable reports generated from the software can also save time and avoid extended lead times when reordering supplies. When a stocked item runs low, it triggers a replenishment response reducing stockouts on commonly used supplies.
Correctional facilities
Point-of-use vending options are ideal in government locations where cash or credit cards are not authorized. Machines can vend uniforms and PPE options or common items like snacks and toiletries via dual-factor authentication.
In correctional facilities, items can be vended by entering the inmate’s number and security code for direct access to commissary items. Modern software options can update each inmate’s account in near real-time. Software solutions for this usage can also be set for a predetermined amount of time to transpire before time runs out and an account is locked.
Opportunities for inventory control vending machines extend well beyond industrial product distributors.