CRANE
 
STREAMWARE TO INTRODUCE "VENDMAX REMOTE" AT NAMA
Open Architecture Remote Monitoring Solution Works with Multiple Providers
Norwood, MA, August 30, 2004 - CRANE Streamware, a Crane Co Company, will introduce VendMAX Remote, its open architecture remote monitoring solution, at the NAMA conference in October. An add-on to VendMAX 4.0, VendMAX Remote enables the software to remotely communicate with vending machines and to accept data from a variety of remote technology providers using wireless, telephony, or Web-based solutions.
Streamware also announced that Pepi Foods of Bainbridge, GA, will be the first VendMAX Remote customer, using Protel, Inc. as its remote provider.
With VendMAX Remote, customers can receive DEX data or sales and item level data from vending machines equipped with remote monitoring technology. Glenn Butler, Chief Technology Officer, said VendMAX Remote is a natural enhancement to Streamware's core software product. "VendMAX already has the widest support for item level DEX reads, providing an exceptional amount of actionable data to operators today," observed Butler. "Adding remote monitoring capabilities simply takes the product to the next level, providing our clients with more options for managing their business."
Butler noted that VendMAX is the only software solution for vending that is not tied to a single remote provider or technology. "We don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" solution for our customers," said Butler. "Our solution allows users to adopt the remote monitoring system that suits their company's unique requirements. There are several excellent remote monitoring solutions available today that use wireless technology, telephone lines, and the Internet to enable remote monitoring of vending machines."
Several features in the Streamware software will be enhanced by receiving remote data:
  • The forecasting system which predicts truck and machine loads will use the latest remote data for greater accuracy.

  • A new dynamic scheduling system will rely on remote data provided nightly from machines to more effectively schedule services with and without fixed routing.

  • Depending on the remote provider, additional alarm conditions will be available for operators to better monitor machines.
Butler noted that VendMAX's forecasting and dynamic scheduling will function without remote monitoring when implemented. "Some companies may continue to rely on the extremely accurate data collected via a handheld the last time the machine was serviced," said Butler. "Operators will have the choice of monitoring all machines remotely or remotely monitoring only unpredictable machines," Butler concluded.
How VendMAX Remote Works
When the driver's day comes to an end, VendMAX Remote begins its work. Each night, the vending machines send DEX data over the remote solution provider's network to the VendMAX Remote server. VendMAX Remote parses the DEX data and analyzes what has sold out of each column of every machine by the time the remote reading was taken. An additional forecasting algorithm is applied to predict sales for the next possible day each machine could be serviced. This data will be used for replenishment and dynamic scheduling.
A driver's route may be made up of some machines that are regularly serviced and some that are scheduled dynamiy based solely on the remote data and forecasting. The decision to service or collect a machine dynamiy is based on parameters set in the software -- including the amount of money in the machine or the number of sold out products. Using these parameters, VendMAX builds routes for each driver.
VendMAX can also build pre-kit bins for each machine, or combine product requirements into a truck load report for the day.
In the morning, the driver returns to the warehouse with the requirements for each machine already loaded into the handheld. He or she goes out on the route, making only one trip to each machine. When the driver returns to the warehouse, the handheld uploads its data to the system and the process begins again.
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