Facebook, by using customized vending machines for dispensing computer accessories at its headquarters, has reduced the cost of managing replacement accessories by about 35 percent, according to Fortune Magazine.
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Editor’s Insight: This is not the first time vending machines have been used as industrial supply dispensers. An entire industry for industrial supply parts management has existed for many years.
What’s interesting about Facebook’s experience is that the IT department came about this solution through trial and error. The company first tried keeping the components in cabinets and have employees swipe their cards at a kiosk to mark which accessory they removed from the cabinet. Tracking software provides a management function to a vending machine, an added benefit beyond the dispensing function. 07-07-11 by Elliot Maras
