Are you worried that maintaining vending machines is more trouble than it’s worth?
Don’t be.
You may think that maintaining an industrial vending machine is complicated and will cost you more time and energy than your current inventory control methods. The fact is, vending machines have been around for a long time and in that time they have really evolved. Vending is now so advanced and user-friendly that just about anyone can maintain and service them. Now, the biggest maintenance issues just include refilling product or simple modifications that can be done with a Phillips-head screwdriver and needle-nose pliers.
To show you just how easy it can be to maintain your customer’s industrial vending machines, we offer these three simple maintenance tips:
Industrial Vending Machine Maintenance in Three Easy Steps
- Ensure Proper Placement
Keep vending machines at least 4 inches away from walls to increase airflow and reduce the risk of overheating. Keeping your vending machine out of direct sunlight will prevent overheating or UV discoloration. Additionally, make sure vending machines are positioned perfectly level on the ground. - Plug it In
Many times, providers receive a call that a vending machine they placed isn’t working, only to arrive and find the unit has been unplugged from its power source. Sometimes, the solution to vending machine malfunction is as simple as plugging it in. - Keep it Clean
Wipe down and sanitize surfaces regularly to remove dirt and bacteria. Approximately every 3 months, depending on the cleanliness of the location, use compressed air or a brush to clean the condenser coils. At least two to three times a year, use mild detergent, warm water and a soft towel to thoroughly clean all accessible parts of the vending machine, depending on use.
Do you see how easy it is?
1sourcevend offers distributors the opportunity to place vending machines that are easy to implement and even easier to maintain and service. How easy? 1sourcevend’s vending machine configuration is all modular, making it easy to configure your machine to dispense items the way you please. Want to change out a motor? Easy. Just pop it in. Want to add in new coils or move drawers around for new products. It’s simple.
Because serving customers well is their number one goal, distributors are often concerned about placing a vending machine for fear they won’t be able to support their customers to the best of their ability. Once we install our vending machines and inventory control software, our distributors are often shocked to see just how easy it is to set up and use. They often remark, “That’s all I have to do?”
Some customers have even found their vending machine maintenance tasks so simple; they just do it themselves rather than calling on the distributor for help. But if there is a concern or a customer prefers a technician service the machine, 1sourcevend is there.
The fact of the matter is that vending machines get dirty, especially in an industrial setting. While we always recommend having a good cleaning regime, our machines don’t require pampering. In fact, we installed ten machines in an Alaskan gold mine four years ago, with each machine vending a variety of items including safety vests, hard hats, gloves, flashlights, pens, headlamps, batteries and respirator filters. What do all those vending machines have in common? Not one of them have required additional maintenance or repair. You can’t get much more rugged than an Alaskan gold mine.
Which leads to another great features of our vending units, they can operate in a wide variety of temperatures — from the Arctic climates of the north to the warm and humid conditions of the south.
Another major difference between 1sourcevend’s vending machines and the competitors is the cost of our machines. Our lower price point enables industrial distributors the ability to offer flexible inventory control options to their customers. The lower cost of entry means more customers can vend both returnable, high value items like power tools, as well as high turn, lower cost items like disposable gloves, earplugs and sand paper. This makes sense for smaller customers, whose spend may not justify placing an expensive machine.
“I’m getting all of this customer’s business, or I’m keeping a competitor out, at a much lower price point. Our customers are happy with how the vending machines work.”
— Jeremy Kirkpatrick, M&M Sales & Equipment
Distributors often run into another logistical concern when considering placing a competitor’s vending machines in a customer location. In some locations, like government facilities or military bases, hardwiring equipment is impossible. Safety concerns, security risks or regulatory constraints often forbid providers from tying into existing networks. With 1sourcevend’s cellular connection capability, we can put our machines anywhere. Our software allows plug-and-play functionality from the start, with or without the use of a Wifi signal or hotspot.
“1sourcevend has been great. The service has been heads above everything else I’ve experienced. And the machines are plug-and-play. You can hook it up to a line, use Wifi, or use cell service. That’s made it easy. You can put the machines virtually anywhere.”
— Greg Davis, Quality Supply and Tool
Related: The Cellular Connection: Put Out Vending and Inventory Control Solutions Anywhere
Think about it. How often do you see a coil vending machine being repaired? Not very often. There’s a reason these machines have been around so long. They are industry proven and reliable and now you can install one for your customers for a fraction of the cost you’ve seen with competitor machines.
If you would like to learn more about 1sourcevend’s inventory control software and industrial vending solutions, request a free demo today.