Back to the future for electromechanical vendors

24 March 2004 News

New Zealand company, Vending Management Services (VMSL), has developed and is offering an innovative product for upgrading electro-mechanical vending machines. Called the EMU, or electro-mechanical upgrade unit, it transforms an old computer-less vending machine into a state-of-the-art electronic machine with the simple addition of a computerised 'black box'.

"EMU simply plugs into the existing machine and the computer takes control of existing switches, sensors and motors without having to add any additional components," said VMSL's hardware solutions architect, Greg Bauer. "The device enables the vending machine to be reprogrammed without needing to be rewired, improves stock management and control, and allows different columns to have different pricing. The EMU also provides a platform for remote monitoring, electronic lock and cashless payment."

Previously, to provide this level of functionality an entire new vending machine would have to be purchased. "Electro-mechanical machines no longer support the widening range of products that vending operations are looking to market," said VMSL's business development manager, Toby Mills. "EMU allows these operations to continue using their existing fleet of machines for many more years and to benefit from improved inventory and fault management as a result of online telemetry."

EMU units are fully compatible with the company's Vendware and VSeTool fulfillment management solutions.

For more information contact Toby Mills, Vending Management Services, [email protected], www.vendware.net

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