M2M players partnering to leverage backend business systems
BERKELEY, Calif. & NORWOOD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 18, 2006–Cantaloupe Systems (www.cantaloupesystems.com) and Crane Streamware (www.streamware.com) announced today that both companies have completed the integration of Cantaloupe’s Seed(TM) Remote Monitoring Platform and Streamware’s VendMAX Remote software solution and it is now benefiting vending operators at several locations.
Cantaloupe’s Seed(TM) Platform provides wireless monitoring and alert notification of a vendor’s remote assets, while Streamware’s VendMAX software provides the vendor with front- and back-office operational management solutions. Working in concert, the two systems boost vendors’ operating efficiencies, leading to significantly increased ROI. The systems also become a major selling advantage as they enhance the purchasing experience for the end consumer.
Foley Food Service — Enhanced ROI and used Remote Monitoring as sales tool
Steve Foley, of Foley Food & Vending Service (www.foleyfoodservice.com) in Norwood, MA runs his entire operation with the VendMAX software system. By using VendMAX’s advanced forecasting system, Foley can pre-pack all his machines at his warehouse. “VendMAX has always worked great for us,” noted Foley, “but integrating with the Seed(TM) wireless platform has taken us to the next level. The DEX data from Seed(TM) feeds into VendMAX several times daily and makes my warehouse pre-picking dead-on accurate. It’s perfect for colleges and other unpredictable public locations. I’m now experimenting with Dynamic Scheduling and have found that having access to real-time sales data has saved me from making unnecessary trips to far away locations.” Foley, who has always used the adoption of technology to his competitive advantage, was amazed by how much Remote Monitoring helped in closing new accounts. Foley said, “Cantaloupe’s Seed(TM) has been a phenomenal sales tool, often allowing us to land new accounts without having to offer the highest commission. It’s a real differentiator. My existing customers can log in and see sales information from a special Seed(TM) website and be confident that the data is legit since it is real-time electronically transmitted.”
Glenn Butler, President of Cantaloupe Systems, added, “Offering remote monitoring during the bidding cycle is one of the major reasons operators have adopted this technology. It lets operators focus on service and quality rather than the lowest price or highest commission rate.”
A & B Vending — Found “Alerts” invaluable, especially for frozen machines
Erich Markee, Operations Manager at A & B Vending Co. (www.abvendingco.com) in Wakefield, MA uses Streamware data to facilitate the pre-kitting of his snack and frozen machines. “I purchased Cantaloupe’s Seed(TM) platform as an enhancement to Streamware’s pre-kitting program,” said Markee, “but I was pleasantly surprised to find that, in addition to optimizing my pre-kitting data, the Seed(TM) system contains an extremely beneficial alert feature. Several times the Seed(TM) alerts feature saved me from serious inventory meltdowns when my frozen machines had compressor or power failures. When one of my frozen machines loses power, Seed(TM)’s battery backup enables it to notify me and my service manager via text message. The first time this situation happens at a frozen machine, the system is paid for.”