VENDING SOFTWARE The lifeblood of business


The ability of vending software to significantly improve every day operations for operators, while integrating seamlessly with external solutions is taking functionality to the next level.


Indeed, software in vending is becoming ever more pervasive, powerful and integrated. But it’s the combination of all three of these strands that makes them more powerful, according to SB Software managing director Simon Black. “The whole is greater than the sum of


the parts, and successfully harnessing the ever-growing opportunities opened up by technology is setting the winners apart from the rest of the field. “Take our own field of expertise, the


Vending Management System (VMS). We see it as the ‘lifeblood of the operator’s business’ because it reaches into, and improves, every aspect of their day-to- day operations.” The truth is that the VMS is adding


increasing value to more and more aspects of business and it is now rare to find an operator who is still shuffling paper or trying to make do with spreadsheets without software. With its functionality surging ahead,


this is putting growing power at the fingertips of operators whether on a desktop or mobile device depending on where it adds most value. In addition, integration with external


solutions (for accounting, route planning or other solutions) is increasingly more seamless. “Our own philosophy is to provide the


best functionality in the field within Vendmanager (SB Software’s premier solution) and full integration to external


sources wherever we can,” Simon contends. “Against this dynamic backdrop, we


see commercial improvements in efficiency, and beyond, including visibility, profitability and customer service.” This will inevitably lead to the ability to


extract better information; improve the quality of data; and reduce the time lag by increasing frequency of reporting. SB Software aims to capitalise by


continuing to grow reach and relevance by bringing more of the machine park on board than ever before. “Think OCS and legacy vending kit for


example. We want to make things ‘simply better’,” Simon concludes.


Through the looking glass


Where once there was a lack of digital innovation in the vending market, now human interaction with digital systems is being taken to the next level.


In recent years the coffee to go industry has been steaming ahead with stylish and innovative new interfaces while the vending market seemed to be standing still, but things are changing. Little by little new products are being introduced to the market


which may well impact the sector well into the future. Take for example, a new fully integrated advertising platform which can be used in several retail and advertising situations from vending machines to fully automated shopping experiences. LOOKINGLASS Vending Edition uses Focustrack technology


(focus tracking at a distance) and has the potential to transform the industry according to Marc Woodhead, CEO and founder of Holograph. The company identified a lack of rich data capture and stimulating


interfaces associated with traditional vending equipment and by blending its existing Digital Experience Platform, a next-generation advertising screen, and state-of-the-art user experience, the company created the vending platform. Marc says: “This new experiential platform enables both vending


and signage owners to sell or use space for advertising – in the case of vending with up to 25% greater screen real estate than


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alternatives on the market. “It has the potential


to elevate digital signage to a whole new level, helping businesses sell more and engage more users. In addition, it hosts pragmatic features for an enhanced experience, including: • it records products purchased • is a cashless only platform • integrated QR code payment • relays important physical information (including uptime and failure) about the machine


• provides support for prompt reordering via machine learning • entices users to engage. Marc concludes: “Perhaps most importantly, it offers detailed rich,


real-time telemetry, delivering powerful data to understand and maximise selling opportunities. “By capturing viewpoints and dwell times, monitoring a user’s


interest in the adverts or content on the machine, counting footfall and monitoring attention grabs, it offers deep insight never available before.”


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