Saturday, April 2, 2011

Changes in the Vending Business

All those have been in the vending business for a long time are aware of some of the significant changes in the technology of drink vending machines and can vending machines that have occurred over the past decade and more. They remember when a drink vending machine could dispense only sodas or fizzy drinks and nothing else. A can vending machine would normally dispense only chilled beers and some kinds of colas and fizzy drinks.


The sheer variety of products that are now packaged in cans and dispensed via a can vending machine is stupendous. Almost anything from preserved fruit to veggie crisps to cereal and/or chocolate bars or even home made granola bars can be dispensed from a can vending machine . Almost anything from fresh fruit juice to beverages can be dispensed hot or cold from a drink vending machine.


Perhaps the most significant change in their technology has been in the matter of currency recognition. This issue used to be a particularly vexed one for vendors and customers alike. Vendors did have to face challenges with regard to the inability of a can vending machine or drink vending machine to recognize foreign currencies. In an extreme case, a similarly shaped washer or token which might have had relevance other where but were worthless for the vendor might have been used in place of the coin which should have been used.


Customers who did not have the requisite change would face difficulties and might have even had to make do without the desired merchandise. Modifications in design have now ensured that vending machines in general come with an in-built currency recognition system. American vending machines can recognize the magnetic signature of American coins, but it means that they do not accept coins of other countries. Newer vending machines available in the market have been designed to address some of these issues. They offer options with regard to acceptance of payments through cash cards and currency (both notes and coins), give the change back in terms of notes and coins or even swipe plastic money.

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