Crane Merchandising Systems’ Streamware brand announces the release of a new application programming interface (API) that will integrate its VendMAX vending management system with micro market technology. Enabling Micro Markets to be managed remotely in the same software program as vending machines, VendMAX’s new API will allow operators to perform key vending activities including but not limited to inventory management, cash accountability, scheduling and pre-kitting.
From within VendMAX, the management of a customer’s micro markets will be similar to the management of their vending machines: operators will be able to designate their micro market kiosks as a ‘point of sale’ (POS) type. Once set up, they’ll be able to manage planograms and access revenue and performance data in one place rather than having to use two separate software programs. The products and the planograms created within VendMAX will be transmitted to the corresponding micro market kiosks. Likewise, the sales and inventory information from each Micro Market will be transmitted into VendMAX.
“With the increase in micro market installations over the past few years, it was clear that a solution would be needed to align this new technology with existing vending software programs,” said Silpa Pande, Streamware product manager for Crane Merchandising Systems, in a prepared statement. “As a company committed to providing products and services that enhance operational efficiencies and improve profitability, we are proud to release this software API which accommodates our customers’ latest needs.”
Currently in field trial with one of the major providers of micro market solutions, Company Kitchen, once Streamware commercially launches the API, operators will be able to use VendMAX to view their entire business.
“Operators love the fact that with kiosks, they can offer both convenience and more variety. But they are also accustomed to the many benefits that VendMAX offers in terms of efficiency,” said Jim Mitchell, president, Company Kitchen. “Thus, we were thrilled to develop this new API to integrate our micro market business into VendMAX. Having all of the sales and product information for the entire fleet of equipment in one place will prove to save operators time, money and resources.”
Although, the field testing is currently active only with Company Kitchen, the API developed by Streamware is generic, and can be used to integrate with any standard or custom micro market software at the time of its official launch in July of this year, according to the company.
