Digitalisation and new technology concepts – EuVend & Coffeena 2019
The revolution of the vending machines is just beginning. In the past, vending machines were considered to be emergency solutions during service gaps, but nowadays, vending machines are enjoying new popularity. They are modern, customer-oriented and omnipresent as an autonomous and modern sales channel.
However, the variety of possibilities is by no means complete, and tailor-made solutions are required. At euvend & coffeena, 9-11 May 2019, companies from the vending industry will present their latest products and solutions and show where the sector is headed.
The consumer’s first point of contact on the vending machine is the control panel. Here pushbutton systems are still customary, although touch systems are becoming the standard. They can be designed individually and in a user-friendly way, and offer new creative possibilities.
“Intuitive displays can for instance be used for advertising videos or special campaigns that generate further turnover,” said Oliver Garn, executive director and country manager Austria/Netherlands at Evoca Germany. “Modern machines with touch systems are perceived to be of higher quality and the operating and selection process is faster and more simple for the customer.”
Gert Mulder, branch manager at Animo sees the aim of digitalising the control panel in optimising the service performances: “The service can be significantly improved for the customer through digital options, for example through the implementation of apps, but also through seasonal product offers and campaigns such as ‘happy hours’ or couponing.”
The communication with customers will continually develop and offer new possibilities – Sielaff will display of ingredients, nutritional values and allergens on the screens alongside item choices.
Overall, services will be optimised and digitalised in future.
“With the right solution achieved for example by means of an app, the consumers can not only see where a vending machine is located, but also which products are available,” forecasted John Kolthof, executive director, CCV Easy, a brand of the international CCV Group. “What’s more, the collected data provides an insight into the consumer behaviour, which enables the service and support to be further improved and become more efficient.”
Regarding payment methods, the addition of contactless and mobile payments is just the beginning. Mauro Maule, CEO of Magex said: “Consumers are increasingly looking for a high-tech machine that offers the best possible user experience. For example, with Magex machines it is possible to pay with cash and credit cards, but also with the smartphone app, QR codes or promotional codes.”
Depending on the area of application, further payment methods could also be considered. “In the case of office vending machines, it could even be possible to deduct the amount spent from the wages,” said Hansjürg Marti, executive director of Schaerer Germany.
AI is also being applied to vending machines, with intelligent systems capable of sending automatic notifications to operators when a maintenance check is due, or a fault occurs.
Manufacturers are developing systems that can measure stock levels, frequency of sales, and order replenishment as required.
“Schaerer Germany GmbH is presenting a system at euvend & coffeena that provides information on which beverages are demanded the most, at which times the most coffee is sold or the performance of individual locations. On the basis of this data, different measures can be introduced, such as displaying targeted advertising campaigns on the machines or adapting the machine’s contents to suit the customers’ preferences,” said Marti.
In spite of all the innovations, the exhibitors of euvend & coffeena are unanimous on one point: the high quality of the products remains to be the most important benchmark for the customers and consumers. “Quality will remain to be the trend, because anyone who eats and drinks away from home, simply expects this,” said Matthias Molnar, sales director DACH professional filter products at Brita.
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