Efficiency is the backbone of profitability in the vending business. Operators who succeed are those who effectively leverage advanced management systems (VMS) to optimize their operations, cut costs, and boost sales.
Two key features of a robust management system are prekitting and dynamic routing. These tools can substantially reduce expenses and enhance overall efficiency. Let’s dive into how they can help save money.
The benefits of dynamic routing
Dynamic routing is about servicing the point of sale exactly when it needs to be serviced. Instead of visiting once a week for example, you visit when product inventory is low, when there is an abundance of cash to collect, it’s been some time since the last service, or a combination of factors. Effective routing offers numerous benefits:
- Eliminate unnecessary stops: With routing, you can avoid stops at points of sale that don't require servicing, focusing only on those that need it.
- Efficient route planning: Plan your routes based on crucial factors such as the amount of money to collect, sold-out items, and current inventory levels. This ensures your routes make sense for your specific operation.
- Time and cost savings: By servicing machines more efficiently, you save time and reduce fuel costs, maximizing the productivity of your route drivers.
The benefits of prekitting
Prekitting involves preparing and organizing the exact amount of products needed to restock vending machines, micro markets, or other points of sale before leaving the warehouse. This method offers several advantages:
- Time efficiency: A VMS tells you exactly what each point of sale needs in advance, allowing you to load your truck with the precise products required. This can save up to 15 minutes per machine serviced.
- Inventory accuracy: By prekitting accurately, you eliminate the need to return unsold products, ensuring that each point of sale is stocked appropriately without over or under stocking.
- Labor cost reduction: Reduced time spent at each machine and minimized errors lead to lower labor costs and more efficient operations.
Imagine you manage 30 locations equipped with a mix of vending machines and micro market technology. Each day, you need to determine which of these locations require servicing, identify out-of-stock products, and check on sites that haven't been visited recently. By logging into your VMS, you can instantly see a list of locations needing attention and the specific products required. Even better, the system generates the optimal route for servicing these locations, allowing you to pack up and hit the road efficiently.
Thanks to the advanced features of a powerful management system, your drivers no longer need to worry about what to pack or stock. The system provides all necessary information, removing guesswork, reducing errors and increasing sales through data-driven insights. This ensures that your points of sale are stocked with the right products at the right time.
One of the greatest advantages is the integration of your vending and micro market systems. With the 365 VMS, you don't need to switch between multiple platforms to service different types of machines. On the same route, you can seamlessly service your PicoCooler, micro market with an MM6 kiosk, and vending machines.
This streamlined approach reduces headaches, simplifies servicing large markets, and enhances profitability by making operations more efficient and effective.
Ready to start saving money? Contact 365 Retail Markets at [email protected] or visit their website at 365RetailMarkets.com.
