A smart vending machine is an automated machine that eliminates the need for any seller or staff to deliver the product. By providing healthy snack options within the office through vending machines, employees are helped to stay fresh and think clearly while working more efficiently with focus. A smart vending machine helps to track the most preferred products and ensures the availability of those products to employees so their employees can feel valued and do their job in a better way.
In this blog, we will share with you the advantages of the vending machine as compared to the traditional pantry system and how vending machines boost the morale of the employees.
The Hidden Link Between Convenience and Productivity
Nowadays, we have a very busy work culture, and convenience in our lives can lead to an increase in productivity and quality of work. When employees feel comfortable and have quick refreshments without wasting time, like a hot cup of coffee, a protein bar, or just a chilled juice, all these small things help them to stay more focused, refreshed, and productive throughout the working hours. A smart vending machine plays an important role in fulfilling the craving for food of the employees. Also, vending machines are providing services that were limited to cold drinks, chips, biscuits, and colas.
Modern smart vending machines used in offices have functions that offer touchless screens to operate and 24/7 access to snacks, beverages, healthcare products like medicine, PPE kits, and beauty products. Vending machines are the best investment for the company, as they eliminate the need for extra staff to operate the machine and sell the products, as all functions, from selecting products to dispensing the item, are all done after payment by the machine itself, improving employee experience without adding operational burden on the company.
The Problem With Traditional Pantry Setups
The following are the problems with the pantry system that are overcome by the advanced vending machine in this era
Time-consuming: The traditional pantry system was time-consuming as it took longer than needed due to long pantry queues, brewing machines, or limited stock options available at the pantry, which turned a 5-minute coffee break into a 15-minute break and delayed other important tasks.
Staff for the management: Most pantry systems have setups in which the company has to depend on staff for refilling snacks, maintaining hygiene, or serving beverages. This not only increases management and maintenance costs but also leads to wastage of human talent and time.
Solved Hygiene problems: After post-COVID, hygiene becomes the priority of the employees and the management, where shared coffee machines or snack jars lead to a rise in hygiene issues.
Decrease in productivity: Wastage of time each day leads to loss of effort and disturbs the workflow flow which affects productivity and morale of the employee.
What Are Smart Vending Machines? (Simple Definition)
Smart vending machines are promoting automated self-service with the help of IoT and digital technologies. These advanced and smart vending machines are different from traditional vending machines in the following ways:
- Touchless payment options: Smart vending machines can be operated through QR codes, mobile apps, or sensors. There are no physical buttons needed.
- Digitally integrated: Smart vending machines are equipped with real-time inventory tracking, restock alerts, and analytics dashboards that will help you to manage your vending machine from an office.
- Online Payment Options: Advanced vending machines have the facility of online payment options with UPI, mobile wallets, and credit/debit cards, and no cash hassles that make purchases fast and save people time.
- Versatile: In smart vending machines, it provides the facility to stock everything from nutritious snacks, beverages, and personal care and OTC to medical products and wellness products. Smart vending machines are available 24/7, smartly managed, and hygienically maintained.
5 Ways Smart Vending Boosts Productivity
The following are the reasons explained below how smart vending machines directly impact workplace productivity
1. Saves Time During Breaks
The installation of smart vending machines means eliminating long queues and saving hours wasted on the purchase of coffee and snacks. If vending machines are installed in the office by taking care of time and distance, then employees can get snacks and beverages in 30 seconds, which will give them more time to recharge and return to work. Also, it will help them to stay focused and increase their efficiency and productivity.
2. Better Access to Healthy Options
Health plays an important role in maintaining the productivity of employees. A company can stock smart vending machines with healthy and energy-boosting items like granola bars, fruit juices, green teas, and protein snacks. This will help to balance nutrition and maintain a diet during the day and keep them alert, focused, and less sluggish after lunch.
3. Reduces Waiting and Crowd Management Need
Smart vending machines help in reducing crowds, which is a big problem with a shared pantry. Employees can access machines placed on different floors, which reduces the rush on one floor. It becomes more helpful during completing deadlines or relaunching any projects. It ensures contactless interaction with the machine that gives a sense of that hygiene maintenance.
4. 24x7 Availability
Automated vending machines can eliminate the need for pantry staff or cafeteria operations during late hours or during the night shift. This especially benefits IT parks, BPOs, co-working spaces, or companies with hybrid schedules where employees are working in both shifts according to their convenience and level of work.
5. Real-Time Data Helps Restock Smartly
Smart vending machines give real-time inventory consumption data and auto-notifications for restocking that eliminate the need for any staff for management of inventory as needed in the pantry system. This also reduces the chances of running out of products like coffee, snacks, and beverages while eliminating expired products in the machine. IoT and inventory tracking technology in vending machines also helps in optimizing inventory based on usage trends and preferences of employees.
Case Study: Smart Vending Machines in an EY company
Let’s imagine a change in situation before vending machines or after the installation of vending machines in the health sector or EY, a US-based company in India.
Before Smart Vending Machines in the EY company
Before vending machines, employees had to wait for their turn in long pantry queues during breaks that were short breaks of five minutes to half an hour. It also leads to the additional cost of monthly pantry staff, which increases the management cost of the machine. Pantry systems also lead to wastage of items and products due to underused or overstocked items.
After Smart Vending installation in the EY company
After the installation of vending machines, it reduces the extra time spent by employees on breaks. It reduces the need for pantry staff and extra costs for management. Availability of snacks, beverages, and coffee during working hours increases the satisfaction among employees. Also, the HR head can use vending machine data to refill the machine based on the popular choices of the employees to increase sales and satisfaction among employees.
Bonus: How Smart Vending Helps HR Teams Too
Smart vending is not just a reason behind the satisfaction among employees and increase in their productivity, but also helpful for HR and admin teams.
A Cost-Effective Perk
Smart vending machines are cost-effective as compared to traditional cafeteria or breakroom areas. HR can offer points for the good performance of the employees, which can be utilized by employees for the purchase of items, and they will also boost their morale without extra staff or space.
Boosts Employee Satisfaction
When employees feel valued by the company, they become more loyal and more productive. Vending machines add a premium feel and convenience to the office.
No Management Hassles
Admin teams in the company need not coordinate with vendors to manage pantry complaints or manage products in the machine, as smart vending machines serve automated billing, refills, and support that allow the team to focus on important tasks of the company.
Conclusion
In today’s busy and competitive work environment, there is a need to save time and utilize it in completing the most important tasks of the companies and adopt smarter ways to enhance productivity, morale, satisfaction, and employee experience without any additional cost. Smart vending machines are one of those smart decisions that can increase the productivity of the employees and help in achieving the goal of the company. These vending machines are fast, hygienic, intelligent, and customizable, which saves employees time and gives them comfort while making them feel valued.
“Make a call today for the installation of a vending machine at the workplace to recharge and refuel your team earlier!”
