MACHINE UPDATE
Connectivity is key
It’s been a big year all round for vending machines. The Internet of Things has come to town and there are serious benefits for both end users and operators.
Internet connectivity is being used intelligently for both monitoring and management providing a significant boost to help route planners streamline their services. In today’s world where the emphasis is on reducing waste and
cutting carbon, the ability to limit call outs and the number of hours engineers spend out on the road, also provide a welcome boost to companies seeking ways to tackle their carbon footprint. But it’s not only the operators whose world is changing for the
better. Improved internet connectivity plays into the hands of modern-day Smart consumers who live highly connected lives through their mobile devices and are attracted by the most up-to- date technology. Zerica is one company that is leading the way by offering solutions which take advantage of the latest in IoT technologies with the ability to monitor and manage machines more closely. UK business development and account manager Gemma Tuxford
says: “Sensors on the machine are now transmitting valuable information using SIM connectivity. This data is then being used intelligently for management and monitoring purposes. For example, usage and volumes can be assessed and displayed graphically to help with more individualised customer management. “On an internet portal, you can access a personalised dashboard
via smartphone or PC to view at a glance when filters or CO2 canisters need changing for example. All this information helps with the planning of routine activities and the optimisation of routes for technicians. “The end result is that distributors and service companies can look
after machines in the field more effectively with a reduction in emergency interventions and an increase in remote resolutions. This is all of great importance in reducing the overall carbon footprint of servicing … and it helps keep support costs down too.” This year Zerica has won a number of awards for its IoT- related innovations and most recently it has been announced as a finalist in the Catering Insight Awards 2019 for its new internet connected and IoT-enabled touchscreen water coolers. The company’s exclusive IoT-enabled remote monitoring and management software, Auxilia, is said to be central to this success. One of Zerica’s key products is
the BeviLaNatura Hot’n’Cold which dispenses coffee, iced coffee, hot tea, iced tea, boiling water, juice and chilled water all from one single compact machine.
TELEMETRY Needless to say, smart telemetry and vending software play a key role in machine connectivity and the ensuing benefits. Vianet for example uses smart telemetry in vending machines to connect to the internet to provide real-time data on product stock levels and machine performance. Most recently, Vianet has rolled out its 5-
in-1 Mobile Workforce Management Platform from BigChange which has completely transformed its field service operations according to commercial operations director Craig Brocklehurst. “We now have complete visibility on the whereabouts and status
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