Planet Antares Scam - Vending Services Scam Alert By Planet Antares

Planet Antares Scam Alert Tells Entrepreneurs To Be careful With Vending Scammers

2010-06-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

With growing number of vending machine users, there has been tremendous increase in demand for these machines across the globe. In fact the benefits associated with owning a vending business is luring more number of young and enthusiastic entrepreneurs towards it.

Off late the number of people starting vending business as a source of self employment has also increased. However vending scams have proved to be the main road block that is preventing wide spread of this business. In order to avoid these scams and become successful in your own individual vending ventures, every entrepreneur should make some changes in his/her way of thinking and approach towards this business. Planet Antares Scam avoiding tips are based on experiences of various vendors. Some excerpts from Planet Antares Scam alerts are given below.

First of all thorough market search is recommended. This research helps you in acquiring detailed information about the company, its activities, and the products it deals with and at the same time the demerits associated with its purchase if any. All this and much more vital information can be obtained on the net. In case you are unable to gather information about any company either on the net or any other source then may be it is a new business or even a fraudulent company established for misguiding buyers. In this case think twice before transacting with them. Always deal with reputed companies.

Some companies ask for initial or advance payment for booking these products. Do not pay any advances unless to take delivery of the product. There is every chance that the seller hands over a faulty product or used one and you are legally bound to accept it as you have already entered legal bond by making the advance. Even if you have to make an advance payment for booking the product, make sure you verify the product physically.

Another important aspect which buyers need to bear in mind for avoiding scams is to gather as much information as possible about the company, features of the machine it offers, its performance efficiency and anything relevant and that which would impact the success of your business. Finally we would like to conclude stating that purchase new vending machines and products of established and reputed companies like Planet Antares.

Planet Antares is engaged in manufacturing renowned vending machines capable of vending multiple products at the same time. Since 1987, amazing vending machines by Planet Antares have satisfied millions of customers across US and Canada. Planet Antares Scam alert initiative is not helping new entrepreneurs to start vending machines business safely.

Vending Business Tips Planet Antares

2010-04-15T03:39:00.001-07:00

Although we all love to run our own businesses, most of us take back step due to lack of required skill set or sufficient financial resources. Would you like to know about one business model that does not ask for specific knowledge or most importantly requires limited capital. Wondering what it could be? It is none other than vending machine business.

Vending is one of the most simple business models that could be taken up by almost anyone. Yes anyone with strong determination to become financially independent can start this business. However, few guideline or tips would help make this entire process as smooth as cake walk.

To begin with, a thorough market research is mandatory. This helps in acquiring sufficient knowledge about this business, existing market scenario, customer needs and demand for products. Every vending operator needs to abide by the rules governing vending machine business. You also need to obtain a license and maintain proper records of all financial transactions for tax purpose.

When it comes to vending machines and products, operators have wide choice to choose from. If you are new to this kind of business then it is advisable to start on a small note by purchasing a new vending machine and dispensing some standard products which have consistent demand.

Now that you are done with vending machine and its products, your next move is to identify a perfect location. Location plays a crucial role in making your business a huge success. Try to identify locations that have maximum customer traffic. Schools, offices, restaurants, shopping malls, bus and railway stations are some of the most popular locations. Make sure that the location you have selected is easily accessible to your target customers. In fact location and product selection are interrelated.

After identifying location and installing your machine in there, make sure you give due importance to its maintenance and servicing. Prompt maintenance and timely servicing can increase the life and performance efficiency of your machine and thus provide uninterrupted services to customers. All this would result in happy and satisfied customers.

Why Is Choice of Vending Machine So Important – Planet Antares

2010-03-30T09:18:00.001-07:00

Vending is a very unique business model that does not ask for any specific skill set or professional knowledge. Starting your own vending business is a very wise decision. However it requires a lot of ground work to be done. A thorough market research followed by proper analysis of data would help you understand the ins and outs of market and this business as a whole.

Now that you have understood about the business, it is time for you to look for a vending machine that is reliable and efficient. Operators have the choice of either purchasing a used machine or a new one. Each of these has its own benefits; however, the benefits of purchasing a new machine are far more than that of purchasing a used one. Operators can also take expert advice and select the best machine for your business.

Depending on your scale of operations and financial limitations, operators can choose either a mechanical or electronic or even go for a combination vending machine. Whatever the case, you will need further knowledge to get started and that is what a good company can provide, the knowledge and research for you.

Another key element for starting vending business is determining the design or build-quality of your machines. How is this important? The answer is quite simple, because a machine at a certain location might face many challenges in terms of environment or population and traffic. So, selecting an industrial grade machine would definitely benefit you and also keep you ahead of your competitors.

Size is another important aspect that needs consideration. If place is a constraint then you can go for compact machines otherwise you can go for large ones. Another benefit of choosing compact machines is ease of transportation. Operators should also see to it that these machines are functioning properly. This can be ensured by conducting regular checks and prompt servicing.

Vending Success Secrets

2010-02-25T08:17:00.001-08:00

The very desire to have your own vending business is sufficient to start one. Unlike other business models vending does not ask for any prior sales experience. Almost anyone can take up this business with just minimum investment.

To begin with operators can start this business on a small scale with one or two machines and grow over a period of time with additional machine at new locations. If you are looking at becoming your own boss, there is no business more apt than a vending machine business.

Location of course is one of the most important aspects that determines the success or failure of a vending business. Operations need to be very careful while identifying the most appropriate location for installing his/her business. A right location would is one that includes maximum customer traffic. Installing your machine in right location helps you enjoy low maintenance and low work load.

Choice of product is also vital for your business success. Operators need to identify products that have maximum demand among their target audience. Operators should also try experimenting with the products they offer. Instead of restricting themselves to one single product, operators can rotate products or offer more than one at a time.

The choice of machine is also crucial. For instance if you are targeting kids, the kind of machine you use should not only be attractive but also easy to operate. Although the kind of product you dispense, the type of vending machine you use, the place where you install and the price of the product you sell determine the success of your business, these are not the only factors that needs due considerations.

Modern market is customer driven one, so it is very important that operators understand the pulse of their customers and offer products and services that meet their expectation. The kind of service you provide and the maintenance of your machine can also boost your sales as they become imperative for attracting a customer towards your machine.

New Entrants of Vending Industry

2010-02-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

Change in eating habits and lifestyles have resulted in growing concerns about obesity. Obesity is fond not only among people of certain age but this problem seems to be persistent among people of all age groups. Increased consumption of junk food and little or absolutely zero physical activity are the main reasons behind growing obesity. Obesity has several adverse effects on our health and makes us prone to heart and other deadly diseases.

Initially vending industry was blamed for being the main accuse of increasing obesity among children. The reason behind this is that schools have always been the preferred choice among operators for installing their machines. As obesity is a deep rooted problem, blaming one particular industry in specific is not appropriate.

In order to curtail the spread of obesity, majority schools are undergoing healthy vending changes based on recommendations received from nutritionists, parents as well as state legislatures. Candy, chocolates, snacks, ice-cream, burgers, pizzas are being replaced by fruit juices, low fat snacks, milk and other natural products. These drastic changes in eating habits of customers have to be noted by vending operators from a time to time basis and necessary changes have to be made in their business in order to become successful.

Changing vending trends is an opportunity in disguise for vending operators and they need to be smart enough and encash this opportunity. Some of the latest trends adopted by vending operators are:Eating healthy food: Vending operators should make required changes to promote healthy eating.

Low carbohydrate food: Since customers are counting on the intake of carbohydrates, operators need to offer low carbohydrate and high protein products.
Healthy food: Schools and parents are encouraging healthy food for children and are replacing junk food with healthy products. Operators should make use of this opportunity.
Change in lifestyles: More and more individuals are seeking to make changes in their eating habits to lead healthier life styles. Customers are looking for products that can control their cholesterol and body fats.

Vending is undoubtedly a potential business as long as operators make slight modifications in the products they offer and thus live up to the expectations of their customers. For more information on starting your own vending business, get in touch with Planet Antares staff.

Glass Front Vending Machines Benefits

2010-02-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

Due to increased dependency on vending machines, several models of vending machines are made available in the market. Of all these Glass front vending machines from Planet Antares are latest and one of the recent entrants. These machines are considered to be up gradation over the closed ones. These machines are preferred because they are easy to use and allow customers to see the products which they are going to purchase. Glass front machines enable customers to see the products that are offered for sale. This makes selection easier and also creates an impulse for purchasing the product. Items thus displayed can lure the customers and create a desire for the product.

Just like any other vending machine, these machines are also suitable for being installed in locations with heavy footfall. Besides, these are more service oriented when compared to the typical closed ones. Some of the other advantages of using this machine are:

• Increase sales: It is believed that glass front vending machines are capable of generating more sales when compared to closed ones. One of the reasons being, customers can actually have a glance of the products which they are about to purchase. These machines have proved to be a great success in busy locations.

• Features: Glass front vending machines from Planet Antares come with several attractive features like LED illuminators, pull forward trays, easy dispensing trays and refrigeration units.

• Shelf space: More products can be marketed in this small shelf space when compared to other drop shelf units.

• Customer association: Customer participation and involvement is more in a glass front vending machine in comparison with closed ones.

• Wastage: The possibility of products getting wasted is very low in a glass front vending machine. The reason being electronic tracking system.

• Choice: Customers have a wider choice because this machine can accommodate more products in it.

• Branded items: Glass front vending machines are ideal for vending branded products.

Factors to Be Considered While Purchasing Vending Machines

2010-01-21T05:48:00.001-08:00

Before you take up any business, it is very important for you to have a clear cut idea of what you want. For instance if you are planning to take up vending business, decide which product you would like to vend, style of machine, your motto for starting this business, location you have selected and many other factors. There are several kinds of vending businesses which include snack and soda combo machine route, beverage vending route, healthy vending route, bulk candy and others. Which one would you like to establish?

Each of these machines is unique in its own way and customised to meet the expectations of a set of customers. Few factors you need to bear in mind while purchasing vending machines are:

• Size is important: Vending machines come in various sizes like Compact vending machine, full line vending machine and counter top machine. The location you choose influences the size of the machine you need to purchase. A small machine can be easily placed any where as it occupies less floor space whereas this is not the same with larger machines. However, each of these has its own benefits and drawbacks.

• Power conservation: The machine you purchase need to be energy efficient as none of us want to pay huge power bills.

• Unique machines: Identify products and machines that are not very common. Do thorough market research for finding products and machines that are unique. This will help you sell and locate your products without much difficulty since no similar products or machines are available.

• Where to buy the machine from: Now that you have finalized on the product, location and kind of machine you need, your next step would be to purchase a machine that best fits your business requirements. Planet Antares machines are always recommended as they have been year for decades and is trusted. Always prefer machines of reputed and established companies. Avoid purchasing used or refurbished machines. The price of these may be tempting but remember that you end up spending more than what you have invested. You will spend many time more that what you have saved by purchasing a used machine.

This guideline if followed is sure to bring you success.

Financial Freedom through Vending Business

2009-12-18T07:21:00.000-08:00

Vending business has grown to an unbelievable height and the revolutionary vending machines and other vending solutions by Planet Antares share the credit for it.

Today, the projected sales for Vending are over $40 Billion! Over the last more than 10 years the vending business has flourished in every sphere. The simple and the most common reason for that is development in the corporate world, which is at peak, and everyone is looking for more business and revenue. This leads to more productivity and efforts that sometimes reduce time of the break—lunch or tea. For such times vending machines are the best options for a quick and easy meal. Less wastage of time in breaks lead to increased productivity and better outcome. This saved time is consumed in work that results in better business and more profit.

Those who want to experience financial stability; freedom of time and a long-term rewarding business, venturing into Vending Business is also a very good choice. The vending business is self-contained and can run on its own, once given a good start. Apart from starting the vending business full time, vending business gives its distributors complete freedom to run their vending business part-time from home as well, which enables them to use their extra time for any other productive work. This factor increases their efficiency that enhances their chances of financial freedom.

For desired profits, selecting a reliable business opportunity is very essential. Planet Antares Inc. is an organization that apart from the best vending machines provides the best after sale services to its distributors. It not only supports and guides its customers while purchasing the machine, but also in acquiring a preferred location, product selection, maintenance of the vending machines. A well established business is bound to give you greater revenues that lead to better financial stability and freedom.

Vending business provides you the freedom of becoming your own boss. It is not restricted in the boundaries such as amount of money, time spent or effort made in the business. The only aim of the vending business is to provide you freedom of time and money that makes you independent.

Why Is Proper Maintenance Of Vending Machine Important?

2009-12-16T08:02:00.001-08:00

Success of your vending business depends on how well the machine is maintained. Thorough cleaning of vending machine is a part of its maintenance process. Servicing vending machine does not mean restocking them or making money from them. Servicing a vending machine means cleaning of all four corners of the machine.

Vending machines dispense a whole range of products right from snacks and beverages to iPods and mobiles. Since some of these are food items, you should be able to instil confidence in the minds of customers. Customer should be assured that they are purchasing products from the most hygienic place. If at any point of time during purchase, customer finds that the machine is not maintained neatly, he would be discouraged from visiting this place once again. A clean and well maintained vending machine will be able to catch the attention of a potential buyer and create impulsive buying instinct in him.

So, the next time you service your vending route, make sure you clean every nook and corner of your vending machine. This will not take much of your time. In case you have a route driver, make sure he cleans these machines every time he services these machines. The location where you have placed your vending machine will also expect it to be maintained properly. The location owner will also profit if the machines are maintained well. Well maintained machines will be able to draw more customers as all of us are drawn by clean, attractive and well maintained vending machines. In fact, we would look for these features whenever we purchase products from a vending machine.

Another important thing to be noted here is that vending machines should be free of insects and rodents. This will help in keeping the machine free from dust, dirt and vermin. It is the prime responsibility of a vending operator to ensure that only quality food is being vended from their machines. This will keep your customers happy and healthy at all times. And satisfied customers can boost your sales thereby making vending a successful business.

Need Of Vending Mechanics For Your Business

2009-12-02T11:54:00.001-08:00

Vending mechanics are skilled professionals capable of handling installation and repair works of your vending machine. They transit the machine and make necessary water and electrical connections at the instructions of the manufacturer.

Vending machines are used round the clock on all 365 days. Hence they are subjected to a lot of wear and tear and damage its spare parts. This is when you need a vending mechanic to diagnose and take up necessary repair works. In case of minor repairs, they can be fixed at the site of the machine itself.

For major overhauls, vending mechanics take the machines to service shops where they would be able to dismantle the machine, do the necessary repairs and reassemble them. But before you hand over the machine to the mechanic, ensure that the mechanic has sufficient know-how and follows technical guidelines, blueprints and repair manuals while fixing the problem.

Depending on the serious of the problem, mechanics use different wrenches, screwdrivers, pipe cutters and hammers for rectifying the problem. They would be able to use drills and other machinery at their own convenience in their workshops for problems related to water flow in vending machines or carbonation system and brewing devices.

It is the prime responsibility of an operator to maintain his machines properly by lubricating them and servicing them at regular intervals. Another thing which snack and beverage vending operators need to know is that mechanics repairing these machines, need to comply with state and local sanitation procedures and health codes.

In-spite of increase in number of vending machines, the employment opportunities for mechanics are very few. The key reason behind this is increased use of computerizes vending machines. Operators who use these machines do not specialized mechanics as in most cases these machines take care of themselves. However, all operators are not opting these machines due to financial crisis and thus there is still demand for skilled technicians and mechanics.

Securing Vending Accounts – Tips and Tricks.

2009-11-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

Vending business is all about location. If you have a vending location with high traffic, you can make great profits. It is important to devise ways to secure the profitable locations.

Step 1 – Zero in the location type you are looking for.
Based on your business plan, you should zero in to the type of location you want to serve. Profitability and product preference among targeted customers plays an important role in finalizing the location type.

Step 2 – Short listing locations.
One of the tedious tasks is to short list locations for further negotiations. This could be one of the most time consuming tasks. Various methods that you can adopt to short list locations are:-

a. Search locations and send mailers to location owners asking if they would be interested in having a vending account. If you get a favorable reply back, then you can proceed with further discussions.

b. Call various location owners to find out if they would be interested in having a vending account.

c. Visit personally various locations that you think would be beneficial. This could be a lot time consuming.

d. Take services of a professional vending locator. They charge certain amount for finding a location for you. They can also assist in paperwork.

Step 3 – Negotiating the deal with location owner.
Once you have short listed locations for vending business, you can start negotiating with the owners or authorized personnel. First of all you should try to promote vending service as an addition to facilities provided for people at the location. If things don’t work out, then you can pay up certain amount of commission for vending machine placement. You may need to frame up a contract based on agreed terms and conditions. For that either you can procure a standard vending contract or you can consult a lawyer.

Once you have a location with you, all you need to do is to place a vending machine and stock it with desired products.

For brand new vending machines contact Planet Antares. Also if you want to seek advice and guidance on how to set up a vending business, contact support staff of Planet Antares

Vending Business at Smaller Locations

2009-10-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

There is a general myth amongst vending business operators that choosing locations with low density population can never be profitable. In some cases the sales can be less at smaller locations but your margins would be higher at such locations. All you need is a little commitment and proper planning to make this into a profitable business venture. You might find out that installing your machine at such a location is a blessing in disguise.

A tiny or a small location can be a place with less than a 100 people. The first and foremost step to make your business work at such a location would be the choice of a vending machine. Planet Antares machines can be ideal for such locations where you have just a few accounts. Also be sure that being a small location, you will always have the advantage of facing almost zero competition. Right approach and planning is key to success of your vending business in such locations.

It is comparatively easier to manage a small location as you have to deal with lesser number of people and it would be easy for you to remain in touch with your customers and meet their needs. As a vending business owner you can take feedback from people and meet all their demands on a regular basis.

Planet Antares compact vending machines can be the best option fro your small location. These machines are most appropriate for locations such as beauty salons, offices, teacher lounges, waiting rooms and any other such locations. The machines are resilient and can offer high demand products to choose from.

Planet Antares support staff will show the way to success at small locations and make high sales in your niche market. There is no chance of making mistakes with professional help at your side. Vending operators can easily take over the benefits by using the reputation built by Planet Antares amongst people.

Technology-Influence On Vending Industry

2009-10-23T01:41:00.001-07:00

Vending industry can be traced way back in 215 BC when it was first used for dispensing holy water in temples of Egypt. The truth now is that you can just get anything you think of from this machine. In addition to the standard traditional products, you can also purchase books, flowers, eggs and milk. Modern machines also come with touch screen option where a basket stops on the conveyor belt at the selected items, and the machine drops each selection into the basket.

Vending industry has evolved remarkably in the last 20 years. Advances in both technology and products has skyrocketed this industry. As technological revolution continues, vending will offer new and innovative opportunities for consumers to streamline their busy life schedules. These advances will become more prevalent in near future once more and more manufacturers start adapting them.

Although predictions relating to this industry are unlikely, this industry has already become an integral part of our day to day activity in many countries. Few automated machines that have been introduced recently are even able to offer 200 different products at three different temperatures. Thanks to vending mechanical engineering for making this dream a reality.

Modern vending machines with their interactive multimedia functions are capable of communicating with other computers, conduct e-commerce and m-commerce transactions and open new avenues in advertising and promotions. Intelligent vending service operations are able to receive and maintain marketing, management and reports related to stock, cash and damaged goods.

Modern technology even allows customers to purchase products at the swipe of a card and provide interactive media services like news headlines, sports and weather telecast along with local and national advertisements and promotions. These modern intelligent machines are also capable of delivering internet content and services for enhancing customer buying experience.

To conclude, modern vending machines with their technology are allowing customers to gain access to freshest products 24 hours a day. It is not an exaggeration to state that there is no limit to what can be purchased using a vending machine.

Advertising: An Effort towards changing the present vending business scenario

2009-10-16T05:07:00.001-07:00

Advertising your product is a bare necessity for a business to soar new heights. Although vending machines do not require any heavy-duty advertising, it is still a good idea to publicize your vending machine products in order that the machine catches the consumer’s eye and is well recognized by the consumer. Advertising your vending products is an approach to public recognition and in turn maneuvering your worth towards the consumer. To keep pace with the competitors, to approach new customers, to serve as a long-term advantage, and also to generate human traffic, we use advertising as the key process in the vending business industry. Exposure to customers at every step will encourage buying behavior.

In the present day situation, it is observed that adverts have become a part and parcel of life. Everywhere we go, we get to view or hear a few, be it the radio, television, print media at home, offices, internet, train stations, bus stations, hoardings and the like. These adverts aim at providing

• knowledge and insight
• showcasing the products
• convincing customers
• reminding consumers of the products

Branded products are any day preferred by the educated, urban population. The products do not require any additional advertising as most of the consumers are already aware of the quality of these products. An operator should always stock branded products that are recognized by the customers. Consumers can easily associate with the popular brands.

Convincing the target consumers becomes easier with showcasing and stocking up branded products in the machine. Regarding the machine, Planet Antares Inc is itself a brand name in the field of vending machines; it carries a reputation that is by far the best in the vending industry. The machines produced at Planet Antares are eye-catching and attractive, and thus are capable of acquiring customer attention even if there are other machines around it.

Successful vending tips

2009-10-07T13:47:00.001-07:00

Making money from vending business is quite easy. With right investment in vending machine and careful selection of vending location, you can reap appreciable amount of money. To be successful, you don’t need to have any technical training or have some business lessons. Vending is a business that can be started by anyone and you can start generating profits right from day one.

To be successful in vending business, you need to know a few facts. Below are few suggestions that will ensure you reap profits instantly.

1. The only appreciable investment you have to make is purchasing a vending machine. You should always select the latest vending machine manufactured by renowned manufacturer like Planet Antares.

2. You should spend some time in researching various vending locations. An ideal vending location is the one with high foot fall. High profit locations for vending business are Shopping Malls, Offices, Business Establishments, Amusement Parks, Gyms etc.

3. Profit analysis for various products should be carried out before purchasing a product for vending machine. Product selection should also be done with customer’s preference in mind.

4. Vending machine should be serviced and refilled on time.

5. Feedback / Suggestions from customers should be taken seriously. Also a careful watch on vending trends will ensure you generate good sales (high profits).

It is advised to consult Planet Antares staff when you plan to start your vending business. Even if you are currently into vending business, you can discuss your problems with experts from Planet Antares. Planet Antares not only manufacturers state-of-the-art vending machines but also provides necessary assistance in setting up vending business.

Planet Antares for Successful Vending Business

2009-09-18T21:01:00.001-07:00

Vending business is growing like anything. Advantages like low investment cost, high profitability, easy administration, negligible employee cost, huge customer market makes vending as one of the most lucrative business of all times. Starting a vending business is easy. All you need to do is to find a perfect location, purchase a vending machine and stock it with products. Once done, vending business is all set to rock.

Even though vending is a very easy business, you need to partner up with the right vending company to assist you in making your business a roaring success. Planet Antares Inc has an amazing customer support program. Besides providing customers with state-of-the-art vending machines, Planet Antares is engaged in assisting vending operators to plan and run their business from scratch.

Why Planet Antares is the best? Well, below are few points about Planet Antares supporting this notion.

1. Planet Antares is in vending business since 1987. They have enough experience and understanding to assist vending operators in setting up their business for success.

2. Planet Antares vending machines are robust machines designed for longer and smoother operations.

3. Planet Antares vending machines are ergonomically designed and can be placed anywhere. They are compact machines; still you can stock variety of products in the same vending machine.

4. Planet Antares utilizes latest technology in its vending machines. They make sure that their vending machines are equipped with latest gadgets and equipments to enhance customers’ experience.

5. Planet Antares vending machines are reasonably priced.

6. Planet Antares always sells brand new vending machines which have passed series of quality control tests.

7. Planet Antares technical staff is prompt in addressing issues.

With Planet Antares by your side, you can effectively plan and operate your vending business. Planning to be a vending operator? Just call up Planet Antares.

Vending- A Perfect Business Opportunity

2009-09-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

If you have dreamed of earning monthly income from a system that works easily and automatically, then the best way to make this dream come true is by starting a vending business. Yes vending business is the most promising and up coming business. Looking for a part time business or a source to make some extra income? Vending business gives you sufficient time to spend with your family and at the same time makes all your self sufficient.

If you are a novice to business community, then do not worry there are several sites that can provide detailed information. A complete guide briefing you up with the step by step approach needed to take up while setting up a vending business is provided. In this recession time every additional penny counts. You need not quit your present job, while you plan to start your own vending business. A few hours devoted in a week are more than sufficient to successfully run this business.

Now since you have decided to set up your own vending business look for a machine that is:

• Reliable: Always prefer standard company/branded machines. These have long life and are less susceptible to break downs. Planet Antares is one of the companies that provide technically advanced vending machines.
• Easy to service: If servicing becomes a complicated issue then your maintenance costs will increase. This will reduce your profit margins.
• Easy to locate: Always prefer a machine that is easy to locate and relocate. Too complicated machine is tough to set up.
• Tailor made to meet customer needs: Choose machines that are designed specifically to provide customers with the kind of products they are looking for.
• Outstanding returns: The main motivation for setting up a business is to earn huge profits. A perfect machine, selling a perfect product and placed in a perfect location will ensure guaranteed returns.
• Vending business offers a lot of flexibility to its owners along with financial independence.

Some of the most popular vending machines opportunities are candy vending machines, gumballs, snack and soda machines, coffee machines, personal products, phone card dispensers, amusement entertainment machines, car washes machines, ATM machines, Healthy vending and many more.

Vending business is on the growing curve over the last few years and this trend is sure to continue in the near future. Vending industry is a 40 Billion dollar industry giving new entrepreneurs a means to start their business and grow quickly.

Planet Antares Inc has a unique vending program for operators. For complete guidance for setting up vending business from scratch, you can contact Planet Antares support staff.

Vending machines in small locations

2009-08-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

It’s a myth that installing vending machines at smaller locations is not profitable and because of this many vendors are hesitant about installing their machines at such locations. However, it is important that they understand that even though that the profits may be less comparatively but if managed well and intelligently, your vending machine could earn good profits even at smaller locations.

A small location can be a place with 50 or lesser people. Suppose this is an office in a deserted place. Employees or workers here need a place to eat and drink something during the working hours and if your vending machine can cater to these needs of workers, you can make a decent profit.

Planet Antares snacks and beverage vending machine would suit you the best for such locations. A vending machine that can vend both beverages and snacks would give the workers the convenience of getting food and drinks easily. On an average a person would eat and drink coffee at least twice and for some it would be more. So having coffee and some snacks would help you vend at least 100 cups of coffee everyday plus the snacks.

Now it would actually depend upon the vendor, how he can choose snacks that will be liked by all and how can he manage deliveries and stocks. It will also depend a lot on the customer service and quality of products in the machine that will decide if the location becomes profitable or not.

Planet Antares staff will play its role and help you select a location and guide you through the process of successful vending business. The Planet Antares team leaves no scope for you to make mistakes by providing you with professional help al the time. As a vendor you will surely benefit by the reputation built by Planet Antares in the industry.

Improve efficiency of your vending business through DEX

2009-07-31T03:12:00.000-07:00

While, vending industry is abuzz with technological innovations in vending machines, a number of vending business owners have adopted DEX in their vending operations. DEX is an acronym which stands for Digital EXchange. It is a Uniform Code Standard which was originally created for the grocery industry. This technology certainly increases the efficiency of your vending business as it provides accurate data on the following:

1. Cash Meter sales
2. Vend Count by column
3. Price set for each column
4. Value of Coin in the Coin box
5. Value of Bills in the bill stacker

Upto 25% boost in the overall sales can be witnessed with the help of DEX. This wireless data management saves time as well money which is involved in manual data collection. Planet Antares vending machines come fitted with DEX system and helps you to keep an effective control over your business operations.

How does DEX work?
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has established a communication protocol for the electronic retrieval of machine-level information. As a consequence, vending machines are now manufactured as DEX-enabled and are often labeled as DEX-compliant. DEX data retrieval can be accomplished via three distinct polling modes:

1.) Local polling
2.) Dial-up polling
3.) Wireless polling
Local polling incorporates a hand-held device (or pocket probe) designed to plug-connect to a machine-based DEX-port. Once the connection is established, the device is used to download transactional data. Dial-up polling (telephone line), and wireless polling enables remote access to DEX data without requiring a physical presence at the point of transaction.

Planet Antares vending machines are fitted with advanced DEX systems to provide accurate data instantly. To make the most of your vending business, go in for innovative vending machines from Planet Antares.

SMART CARD VENDING

2009-06-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Smart cards are electronic devices which resembles a great deal with the credit cards. However smart cards replace the magnetic storage unit of the credit card with an embedded microprocessor to store information. A typical smart card has three separate memory banks, two of which are ROMs (read only memory) and one is RAM (random access memory) - 8 kilobytes of RAM, 346 kilobytes of ROM and an additional programmable ROM with 256 kilobytes of memory, controlled through a 16-bit microprocessor. There are two general categories, contact and contact less.

The usage of smart cards has been widely popularized in the vending industry. Their use can be found in corporate campuses, colleges and universities, correctional facilities, hospitals, hotels, cruise ships and laundry facilities. They have revolutionized the vending industry by making cashless vending possible. If your establishment already uses ID cards, then you can easily convert to a single smart card, personnel, students and indeed authorized visitors can access and pay with the smart card for a wide variety of services typically found on educational and corporate sites.

Smart card in Planet Antares has lot of advantages. Vandalism has been controlled with their usage. Now cash is no longer required to be carried by the route people. In addition to this there will be no more jams, sales can be tracked by site, there would be no coin counting room and no more shortages. Use of smart cards has made it easier for working people and people who are on a tour. They generally don’t carry cash and in need they can just make use of the smart cards and get whatever they want. The cost of the card equipment for your Planet Antares vending machines is about the same as for coin and bill changers.

Almost all vending card systems in use today provide an interface between several different economic streams—such as between debit card and vending account; bank or institutional account and vending card; or even cash and card account.

Honor Box Vending

2009-06-15T10:49:00.001-07:00

Honor vending boxes are simply pre designed and colorful cardboard boxes that contain snack food items like candy bars, gums and chips for sale on the honor system. There is a coin box built to the vending box that doesn't lock, and customers are expected to pay for their purchases on the honor system. This vending system has become a sphere of influence for few specialists.

Planet Antares honor box vending provides an opportunity to those entrepreneurs who want to start the vending business with very limited investment. Honor boxes are an inexpensive option as compared to big and expensive vending machines. Place your honor boxes from small to mid size companies. Honor boxes offer you more locations than the traditional vending machines. They are small and easy to carry and place and for many prove to be more viable business option.

Cash accountability in honor boxes are mostly at stake. As it becomes difficult to keep the track of the exact money earned. Any shortage of money can be impugned even on the honest employees as there is no record of anything. If the employees themselves are engaged in the embezzlement, then tracking of even a small scale business becomes hard. Hiring trust worthy employees serves as the only reliable solution to this.

In order to ensure high sales and profitability filling the honor boxes with branded products prove to be appropriate. For persuading the buyers to buy the items from such boxes, the products should be identifiable.

The vending boxes can be put in the lunch rooms or reception areas and can be weekly restocked. Be cautious while stocking the boxes with the choice of products and brands. Customer satisfaction is again the key element in this vending. It becomes difficult to pull sales if customers are not pleased with the quality of your honor box services.

Even though it is a small scale vending business with very limited investment, you need to remain focused to make it productive.

Tips For Protecting Your Trucks And Drivers At Planet Antares

2009-05-15T06:03:00.001-07:00

There is no sure shot system for protecting trucks and drivers from theft and vandalism, vehicle break-ins and high jacking. However, measures can be taken to cut down on the chances of such events and provision of a reasonable amount of safety to the driver and inventory.

In your Planet Antares vending business, a driver security plan will include a combination of tools, such as alarms, door lock hardware, as well as procedures for communications and security awareness.

It is not easy to measure the relationship between training personnel of your Planet Antares vending business in the area of security procedures and the benefits that result from this training. However, many robbery incidents occur due to improper conduct of drivers and not following safety awareness practices. The only way to ensure safety is training.

Usually, the Planet Antares vending route driver has a truck that is visually identified as a service vehicle. The truck usually contains cash and merchandise. The driver has to be always alert to the surroundings, whether making a service stop or when driving.

It is best to begin the route in the early morning, when there are fewer motorists on the road. Often, drivers have to driver through questionable neighborhoods, hence they must exercise caution at all times and not allow concerns outside the job to distract them. A vending business vehicle may become a potential target for crime with its “vending services” sign. So, you can go fro a different name for the sign.

You should plan alternative routes as well as the delivery schedule in advance for your Planet Antares vending business. Make sure that the same driver is not present at the same place every day. They should make a mental note of road side emergency phones, where the nearest police station and hospitals are located. In case they are being followed, this can be precious information.

Don’t wait for a situation to occur before determining a course of action for the same. Planning must involve procedures to deal with both routine contingencies and major problems. For your Planet Antares vending business, you can print instructions on steps to follow in case of robbery, and post these on the vehicle dashboard as a constant reminder of the policies and procedures to be followed by the drivers.

Financial Freedom With Planet Antares Vending

2009-05-07T07:55:00.001-07:00

While everyone is looking for an ideal job that can pay for the rent and the monthly bills, you can bid farewell to a stressful life and start your own vending business. Imagine the happiness when you finally find the time to do all the things you wished for.

This is the main reason for the booming vending industry. Dozens of newcomers join the vending bandwagon each day, so why don’t you give it a shot?

Go anywhere and you will find vending machines. It’s like the business opportunity is waiting to be explored. You won’t even have to go to office or supervise a team of employees. All that has to be done is buying and install vending machines to start the cash inflow. On an average, Planet Antares vending operators spend about 15-20 minutes on servicing. The rest of the time is at your disposal.

It is possible to make about $30 a month with a Planet Antares vending machine. Multiply this by the number of racks in a machine and the number of machines placed at different places. This shows the scope of earning money in the vending business.

While many beginners think that there are no more spaces left to keep their vending machines, you will be surprised to find a lot of untapped locations with great potential. Once you get started on searching and strategy formation, you can match the location to your products and capitalize on undiscovered venues.

Bulk vending machines are very popular among customers, especially children and their families. It is best to place such machines in places visited by them frequently. Wherever people are waiting, they are probable to indulge in some impulsive shopping from vending machines.

As per the size and type of vending machines, their size may also differ. However, these are quite inexpensive to start with. A triple vending machine can be purchased for just $110. This is a great opportunity that combines low cost and high profits. Start with a few vending machines and expand as you get a feel of the business. No matter what you decide to do, vending is definitely worth a try!

Legal Issues Related To Planet Antares Vending

2009-04-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

Several vending machine companies like Planet Antares INC serve to thousands of locations with different styles, products and vending services. As an owner of the vending machine it is imperative that you understand the liability and the insurance needs that you will need to have for all timed to come.

Sometimes, you may feel that it is not your fault but you can be penalized, so for these situations you will need to have liability protection and insurance cover. For example if a popular snack being sold through your vending machine causes food poisoning to a customer and he complains, you must know how to protect yourself.

Product manufacturer may have the insurance cover but the consumer may start a suit against the vendor and the location before moving to the manufacturer. For situations like these you should cover yourself with insurance. Anything can go wrong but if your business operations are well maintained, you might not face any problems.

If you prepare your own food and serve it in your vending machines, it creates even more reason for having liability insurance as the manufacturer will not share the blame with you. At times people are found to do some uncalled for acts with vending machines and hurt themselves and during such incidents , they may choose to sue you for damages. An insurance cover will help you at such situations as well.

You won’t have to worry about exposed corners with quality, well designed vending machines like those offered by Planet Antares Inc. moreover, these are user friendly so instructions are simple to understand and follow.

Just to summarize the whole thing, in vending business , you must learn to save yourself and be self reliant. This can be done by protecting yourself , your vending account, products, equipment and customers.

Enhancing Vending Business Profits With Planet Antares Inc

2009-03-12T03:01:00.000-07:00

To a large extent, the success of your vending business is determined by the profitability of it. One of the main determinants of business profits is the level of sales in your business, including vending. For achieving that, there should be a large number of customers who buy your products on a regular basis.

As a Planet Antares vending machine operator, you must keep the vending machines at easily accessible locations so that customers keep coming back for high quality products.

Targeting a large number of potential customers becomes possible when you choose high traffic locations for your vending equipment. Such locations include subways, stations, bus terminals, airports, hotels and business offices. Planet Antares snack and soda vending machines can be easily placed at such locations. Install the vending machines in a well-lit area so that it is visible at all times.

Stock your vending machine with a variety of products including popular products as well as the conventional bestsellers. Certain items may be currently in demand but you should avoid filling your vending machine with such products alone. if you design an optimal product mix, your Planet Antares vending machines can generate substantial sales.

Check the vending machines regularly to ensure that there is no instance of customers waiting in front of an empty machine waiting for it to dispense the desired product. in case of glass front vending machines, customers can view the products that are being offered by the vending machine. This can also be one by putting signs at the front of the machine.

Your Planet Antares vending machines must be well maintained and serviced periodically. No problems must occur while customers operate the vending equipment as this may result in loss of future sales as well as business reputation. All repairs must be made in time and the machines remain clean and operate smoothly.

PET Bottles For Your Vending Machines

2009-01-13T02:58:00.000-08:00

As PET bottles become more popular among vending operators, there has been an increase in the dedicated beverage routes. These have gained considerable strength and popularity. Now, it is easier to invest with a plan that phases in dedicated routes than any other form.

In effect, complexities in life and business for the average vending operator have increased. Majority of the single service sales in the supermarkets are on account of plastic beverage bottles. For full line Planet Antares vending machines, they account for a smaller percentage. As a result, vending operators will have to offer customers the products that they want, not the ones they planned to sell.

As compared to 12 ounce cans, PET bottles sell for a higher price. Obviously, this is the perfect time for enhancing business profits and gross margins in the long run. Your Planet Antares vending business must take advantage of this trend.

Several vending operators claim that PET bottles have lower gross profit percentage as compared to the 12 ounce cans and also reduce the space in their route vehicles. What you need to understand is that your income is not measured in percentage but rather in dollars which you deposit in the bank.

The space problem can be resolved through use of larger capacity route vehicles and trucks. Lasting for about 8-10 years, these make a worthwhile investment for vending operators. Planet Antares vending operators have been successful in achieving a huge amount of market penetration through PET bottles.

As the brands competing for share in the snacks and beverages market rise, you will have to buy larger vehicles to provide for mixed product routes. Loading and unloading of dedicated beverage trucks will be recommended as it makes things quite simple.

Health Issues Faced By Vending Industry

2009-01-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

At present, the vending industry is submerged in issues of obesity, health and wellness. Just about everyday, there are more and more studies and surveys that analyze, conclude and calculate just how much fatter our nation’s citizens are becoming every year.

Planet Antares vending operators with school accounts recognize this concern and have been forced to address it by offering a wider array of healthy products. If you hesitate in adapting to the need of customers and their health concerns, you may end up losing the account.

Certain vending operators consider the issue to have no impact on them. However, the impact of health and wellness cannot be denied in all types of accounts and Planet Antares vending operators interested in succeeding need to learn how to help them address this complex issue.

Due to many reasons, there has been increasing focus by employers and consumers on health and well ness than ever before. This makes it impossible for a vending operator to sit back and hope for a solution.

In spite of the issue being large in the school and college campus, it is just beginning to move into the workplace. Numerous studies have outlined the risks associated with obesity such as heart disease, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke.

Planet Antares vending operators are reacting strongly and effectively on health and nutrition issues. This is one of the important action steps needed for the vending industry to meet the needs of a changing consumer and new market forces.

The challenge of promoting healthy products needs to be taken in view of the demographic momentum of aging baby boomers and continued media focus on obesity are powerful forces.
On the whole, enterprises with healthy employees will be successful in providing:

Higher employee morale
A better capability to attract and retain key people
A more alert and productive workforce

Bill Validators In Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-12-29T02:53:00.001-08:00

Looking for an interesting, lucrative way to earn some extra money?

I’d suggest you try vending.

To begin with, start with a small vending machine such as candy vending machines. if you’re more willing to invest money, go straight for larger equipment like Planet Antares snack and beverage vending. As technology continues to advance, new features are being incorporated in vending machines.

Dollar bill validators represent one such innovative technique in vending. In contrast to the coin accepting vending machines, these can accept bills and do not rely on coin mechanism alone. This allows you to procure and serve a wider customer base and maximize business profits.

Before you put a dollar bill validator in your Planet Antares vending machine or buy a vending machine which incorporates it, make sure that you know how the components function. Moreover, you will face situations when the bill validator gets stuck.

The functioning of vending machine dollar bill validators involves various techniques. Validators of high quality use multiple techniques to accept new and wrinkled bills. They are also capable of recognizing counterfeits and thus, allow customers to dispense products after inserting genuine currency only. Currency denomination will also be verified by the bill validator.

The following are utilized for bill identification:

Sensors
As US currency has magnetic ink on the bills, bill validators use a sensor to detect whether the bill is of the right denomination or not and if it is legal or fake.
Photocell
This technique is similar to a tiny camera in functioning. The bill is compared to patterns stored in memory of the validator to determine the different denominations required for different products.

Sometimes, bill validators may not function properly or display a “transaction failed” message when excessively wrinkled bills are inserted. The efficiency of the bill validator also depends on the quality of your vending machines.

Reliable equipment such as those supplied by Planet Antares Inc offers high-end features such as multiple payment options including dollar bill validators. This can act as a key to enhance customer satisfaction and convenience as well as provide greater returns to vending operators.

Quick Buying With Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-11-24T03:10:00.001-08:00

With the wide range of items being sold in them, Planet Antares vending machines are the ultimate way to shop on the go. Vending machines sell a variety of products that you would find in a grocery store.

The difference lies in the fact that vending machines allow you to buy all that you need much more conveniently and faster. That makes it the preferred choice among customers.

Generally, vending machines such as those provided by Planet Antares Corporation are placed in busy and high traffic locations that include:

a. restrooms
b. break rooms
c. next to entrances or exits
d. near waiting areas

Vending machines sell different kinds of products. In the US, vending machines usually sell snacks, beverages, newspapers, etc. Planet Antares vending machines sell snacks and beverages. Generally, people love such products and buy them on daily basis.

In Japan, vending machines are widely used because its highly mobile population that prefers to shop on the go on foot or by bicycle. They stock a variety of products even those which would be considered less conventional in the USA. This includes rice, eggs, toilet paper and underwear.

Planet Antares vending machines are widely considered as shops on the go due to the availability of any product that you may need when you are on the move or maybe when you don’t have enough time to sit down and indulge in a proper meal.

On an average, the prices of vended products are lesser than that you would find at the local grocery store or any other place. This results in preference for vending machines by a large number of people. Companies such as Planet Antares Corporation want to sell machines with wide range of items that the customer would want ready to purchase.

At present, vending machine business is one of best opportunities to earn money for anyone. The initial investment is minimal and the returns are adequate to match it in the first year itself.

Planet Antares Candy Vendors: Reviewing Of Plans

2008-11-12T04:54:00.000-08:00

With the changes coming up in key supplier’s programs, Planet Antares vending operators have been forced to review their plans in the candy vending segment of the vending business. Already, they have suffered one round of price increases, only to be faced with another one now.

In such circumstances of frequent price hikes, vending operators have been forced to rethink their buying plans for candy products. Most of them are of the opinion that they cannot raise prices more than they already have, due to the competitive pressure. Still, certain vending operators have considered larger size bars to allow them to provide greater value for a higher price.

Although most vending operators are still not sure about their plans, they understand and agree upon the fact that there could be more changes to the candy bar offerings in future since the introduction of the glass front Planet Antares snac/candy vending machines.

Some of the vending operators are waiting for price points to increase just a little more before they start offering large sized candy in their vending machines. You can consider selling lesser candy in your vending machines by decreasing the candy facings from two shelves to one and a half. This works well for a vending business wherein candy is not an important, popular and profitable product.

You must be aware that certain costs will be involved in changing candy spirals to larger snack spirals. In the long term, this cost will be worthwhile for your Planet Antares vending business. You must also look for snack companies and suppliers that are willing to offer incentives in exchange for guaranteed placements.

Over time, you will find that your profitability will not be compromised with higher priced items. Initially, certain customers may complain about the rising prices of products. However, a lot of vending operators have found the number of such customers to be less than expected indicating a positive change in customer response towards rising prices.

In spite of these factors, large sized candy is finding popularity and huge market share and shows potential for great growth and profitability. Planet Antares vending operators must take advantage of this trend to ensure that their vending business will definitely generate higher returns and more sales.

Planet Antares Vending Introduces New Pricing Strategies

2008-11-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

Planet Antares vending machine operators are now using new management tools such as handhelds and Plano grams for tracking product turns with the minimum amount of extra labor. As a result, they have started revising their pricing strategies.

In the past few years, vending operators have been complaining about the inability to raise prices to the same level as other retail channels. The major factors involved in determining the vending prices are market competition and customer contracts. Many vending operators agree that a more scientific pricing strategy would improve sales and profits.

As per one theory, you should not pass the savings on to the customers so that you can keep the pricing simple and increase your Planet Antares business bottom line. On the other hand, prices of certain items can be lowered and a gross margin can still be produced at the same or higher level than the branded items.

If you think about it, the ‘take out’ customer is unheard of in the vending industry and thus, presents a huge opportunity for growth and profit maximisation. Along with this, if Planet Antares vending operators are supported by secondary suppliers, the dependence on big manufacturers would be reduced.

Planet Antares Inc considers this to be the ideal time to experiment with value pricing. One of the reasons for this is the increasing price consciousness among consumers and higher attention being paid to special offers. Also, location sales have decreased because of downsizing.

Vending Route Manager For Better Operations

2008-10-30T02:45:00.001-07:00

As a vending operator, you can surely benefit from the information contained in this article. Recently, an excellent technological innovation in the form of a very useful and affordable tool called bulk vending machine route manager has emerged in the vending marketplace.

Every vending operator, including Planet Antares vending operators aim to make it easier, faster and more organized to manage a vending route. Also, it will be highly beneficial for business profits if you can find methods for cutting down costs and increasing efficiency.

Basically, a vending route manager can be found online at various reputable websites at affordable prices. This impressive and powerful tool can be transferred to you over the email and allows you to:

1. Operate a vending machine route with more than 100 vending machines
2. Find locations without much effort and time through map code
3. Do automatic calculations for income generated by every vending location
4. Print tickets to be carried with you
5. Use location name
6. Use location phone number
7. Use location address
8. Use location hours of business
9. Record the number of times each location is serviced
10. Specify the date of service
11. Record the kinds of products for each vending location on the route
12. Add notes and comments

Al this information makes it easier to create sound strategies for different locations and make future plans on the basis of objective assessment and not only vague assumptions. Eventually, you will see higher sales and profitability for your Planet Antares vending business.

Planet Antares Vending: Branding Made Easier

2008-10-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

“First impression is the last impression.”
The words stand true for all businesses, including vending. The perception of your vending company in the market place is crucial to your long term success.

You can separate yourself from your competition by utilizing a professional website, an impressive brochure and other marketing techniques for winning a new business. One way to build a brand image for your vending business is associating with Planet Antares Inc.
Here are few of the critical elements that can make or break the brand name of your vending business:

1) Corporate identity
This implies the visual entity or identity of what your brand looks like from its logo, business cards, letter head and other symbols.

2) Brochure
Planet Antares Inc has a unique and special image in the vending marketplace. As a Planet Antares vending operator, when the selling process starts, you need to communicate with the customers through a comprehensive and impressive brochure. If you have a professional brochure, it will immediately establish credibility.

3) Truck signs
This can be a great way of advertising for free. Truck signage can actually help in branding of your business vehicles. This is a really cost effective tool for your vending business promotion and brand development.

4) Machine fronts
Facelift your old vending machines with durable tuffronts. These pre-cut plastic panels replace the existing exterior panels on your vending machines and enables promotion of your brand to client locations.

5) Website
A website for your Planet Antares vending business is the perfect platform for reaching the online vending prospects that search the web for vending operators. Make sure that your website stands out from the crowd and looks sophisticated. It should also appear on the first page of the popular search engines.

Planet Antares Vending Machines Become Health Oriented

2008-09-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Recent surveys have shown a growing number of Americans who are suffering from obesity. What’s even more alarming is the fact that a large percentage of obese people are children. This has forced health organizations and parents to take a tough look at the eating habits of general public and kids in particular.

While this is a good change overall, it is being viewed as a potential threat by many vending operators. After all, majority of the vending business revenue comes from snacks and soda vending machines which may now have to bear with severe restrictions and lesser customer patronage.

Despite the common perception of health consciousness as a challenge to vending industry, Planet Antares Inc is one vending company that has taken the lead in turning the threat into an opportunity. Let us see how…

Firstly, they have come out with health oriented vending products which can be filled in the conventional vending machines. This implies keeping and selling tea, milk, soy milk and juices along with the traditional cold drinks that customers love.

Not only will you retain existing customers but also find new, health conscious individuals using your vending machines. Similarly, many new meal replacement snacks with nutritious content are being dispensed by Planet Antares vending machines.

Secondly, you will make substantial profits by introducing healthy products in Planet Antares vending machines before the competitors. This is called the ‘first movers advantage’. This allows you to stand out in the crowd as well as gain more customers for your vending machines.

By keeping branded, healthy products in your vending machines, you can build the image of your vending business. Branding is an important part of any successful business, including vending. So, healthy products allow you to take advantage of selling branded products and building customer loyalty.

All in all, health concerns will lead to new innovations in vending products and machines. in the end, the vendor who adapts to such changes will be the one to survive and lead the market.

Running A Planet Antares Automatic Vending Machine Business

2008-09-09T03:56:00.000-07:00

Undoubtedly, vending business is one of the most widely propagated business opportunities. However, that does not mean that it is a cakewalk. Like any other business, serious efforts and investment will be required to get impressive results. It will foolish to think that the vending machines will do all the work for you!

One thing that is a must in vending business is a professional attitude for effective planning and management. You must also be able to determine whether a certain advertisement for such opportunity is legitimate or not. A lot of people actually try to earn quick money by using fraudulent schemes to attract investors. You must ensure that you aren’t conned by any such scams.

That doesn’t mean that every company offering a vending opportunity is immoral. Reputable companies like Planet Antares Inc offer unique business opportunities for those who want to become vending operators. Ask them for detailed information regarding the services offered, past experience and customer reviews.

a. Estimating profits
Most vending machine providers may claim that a vending business may give you instant returns but it is essential to check the basis of such claims before making any decision.

b. Attractive deals
Draw a comparison of the deals offered by different vending machine providers. The lowest priced machine may not necessarily be the best and the old adage “you get what you pay for” holds true in this case.

c. Location
It is imperative to choose a company which helps you find optimum locations and not just any location which agrees to keep your vending machines. Planet Antares Inc offers locator services to its vending operators to ensure the ideal location of vending machines. It is better to find a reasonably good location that may not ensure extraordinary performance but is safe from vandalism.

d. Products
Go for branded, reliable quality products for automatic vending machines. In fact, this a much safer option as compared to relatively unknown products which may or may not be liked by customers.

e. Professional know-how
The level of professional knowledge and understanding you have will determine your success in vending business. Various training programs and courses can help you get a better idea about the finer aspects of the automatic vending business. It also provides an insight into the technical and sales part of business.

f. Guarantee
You must look for a vending machine supplier that provides a sufficient guarantee period on machines. Check the service agreement for details regarding the services offered by the vending machine company for location, repair and maintenance of the machines.

Planet Antares Vending And Business Conflicts

2008-08-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

The history of the vending industry is long and interesting. Since their introduction, vending machines have formed an important part of our daily lives today. It is more convenient to find quick solutions for thirst and hunger. Moreover, a new world of technological advances and quicker transactions has been opened through vending machines.

No longer will you see mechanical vending machines in different places. Now, you will usually find electronic, wireless or remote operated vending machines. Along with that, the capacity of vending machines has improved greatly in recent years. While earlier versions dispensed a single item, currently you can find vending machines that offer up to 50 selections of products. Planet Antares vending machines are reliable and yield high returns through efficient vending operations.

You can select from a wide range of vending programs that suit your business niche, customer needs as well as the budget. Planet Antares Corporation has been providing vending operators an opportunity to start and run their vending business smoothly through diverse vending programs.

There has been impressive progress in vending companies that make use of technological innovations in vending machine. This has also led to an increase in vending industry competitiveness, customer base and profit level. Also, there has been a rise in the selections available for food items. As different societies realized the monetary gains in vending, they started using it as a means of economic growth.

Now, you can find a large array of products in vending machines. These range from small items like candy and stickers to larger items like soda, snacks and even digital products. This is a great opportunity for vending operators to establish a profitable vending business.

A growing trend is the demand for healthier products in vending machines. People want food items that are nutritional and fitness oriented. People are becoming health conscious and want to replace fried, high calories snacks and beverages with healthier ones. These demands are being met by Planet Antares vending machines, among other vending machines. Apart from this, they also offer appropriate guidance that enables you to handle vending machine conflicts without wasting any time or resources.

Dispensers In Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-08-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

You will find dispensers in vending machines as well as other places. In Planet Antares vending machines, they dispense the stocked items as per the desires of the customer. All vending machines have dispensers as a critical component for dispensing the products from the vending machine.

In most cases, a dispenser is in an automated form that dispenses its contents upon human intervention. They have become an integral part of vending machines like Planet Antares vending machines and render a variety of products like foods and beverages after inserting certain amount of money, be it bills or coins.

Consequently, since its invention, dispensers have now become the modern way of storing things, mostly those in liquid form. Yu must be aware of certain facts about vending machine dispensers, mainly the following:

a. The most common form of dispensers is fluid dispensers. It uses several “peristaltic pumps” that are capable of delivering accurate and fixed amount of liquids. These can be found in Planet Antares vending machines.

b. Dispensers provide a push-button handiness and is easy to refill

c. It also has level indicator windows that allow you to see if the dispenser needs to be refilled or not.

d. An easy-snap lid that automatically opens for trouble free access is also provided.

In Planet Antares vending machines, the dispensers will dispense food and beverages for the consumers who have placed money in the vending machine. The dispensing process takes very less time and thus, is preferred to going to the grocery store.

Problems Influencing Planet Antares Vending Machine Profitability

2008-07-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

Even if all the vending locations start earning good profits, there can be problems that can arise in your Planet Antares vending operations. Most of these problems can be classified under five major categories, as follows:

1) Gross sales
Depending on the population of the location, sales will also vary. As the population increases or decreases, so will the location sales. If a new fast food outlet is opened near the place of your vending machines, sales can decrease. Since gross sales are the main determinant of the bottom line, they need to be monitored carefully.

2) Gross profits
Gross profits are the difference between sales and cost of goods sold. If product costs increase and you cannot raise selling prices in your Planet Antares vending business, the gross profit from the location will fall. Similarly, if all the cash collected is not returned by a dishonest employee, reported sales will fall while the product costs will remain the same, resulting in a fall in gross profits too.

3) Operating costs
We should restrict the Planet Antares vending operating cost to only those costs that relate to the client. Usually, these are the direct, variable costs associated with servicing the client. The major ones are direct labor and vehicle, commissions, equipment, depreciation, sales taxes, etc.

4) Net profits
As is obvious from the name, net profits are what are left after deducting all the operating expenses. It should be calculated in both dollars and percentages.

5) Return on investment (ROI)
This is the net profit from the location, annualized, expressed as a percentage of the capital investment in that location. If a location provides annual profits of $5000 and needs a capital investment of $25000, the ROI will be calculated as 20 percent.

This is important to understand the acceptable net profits, expressed as a percent of sales and avoid any problems. You should monitor all these aspects for ensuring efficiency of operations in your Planet Antares vending business.

Ensuring Planet Antares Vending Machine Protection

2008-06-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Since the invention of vending machines, vandalism and theft have been a huge problem and a constant issue of concern. If you have a Planet Antares vending machine in a location, you will not want any theft or damage to it. If that happens, it would lead to your spending more money on repairs or you would incur financial losses.

In these days, thieves and vandals have become quite sophisticated in their efforts to beat the machine. There are several precautionary measures that you can take to secure your Planet Antares vending machines from theft or vandalism. When these incidents happen, the damage can be extraordinary sometimes. The doors are pried off and the dollar bill acceptor and products are stolen. The cost of repairing a vending machine can be anywhere between $50 and $1000. That must be avoided so that you do not suffer from any losses.

Here are some ways in which you can protect your vending machines:

1. Technology
An effective weapon against vending machine theft is to have charge card accessibility and cashless vending technology in your Planet Antares vending machine. Cashless vending means that there is no money in the vending machine to steal. This will discourage theft as there is no reason to vandalize the vending machines.

2. Bad neighborhoods
You must pick good locations for your Planet Antares vending machine. If you choose the rough part of an area, you will enhance the chances of vandalism and theft. Some locations may remain unsupervised for long periods of time and become vulnerable to miscreants. This is why it is important to pick locations in safe areas.

3. Alarms
Vending machine alarm systems are available in varying degrees of prevention and protection. There are some that will sound a loud siren if the door is opened. Others may go off if the vending machine is tilted or roughed up. Other systems have the capability of taking the attendant’s photo every time the door is opened without entering a code. It can also be programmed to call a security monitoring company automatically.

4. Security cage
These are helpful in protecting the vending machines from all sides, top and bottom. Security cages can secure your vending machines from vandals and theft. High security locks, padlocks, security bars and other precautions can also protect your vending machine effectively. You should not underestimate them.

Planet Antares Vending And Customer Views

2008-06-17T02:23:00.000-07:00

According to a recent study, it was revealed that the vending industry is losing a lot of potential customers due to lack of consumer education. The reason for this study was to determine vending machine consumer motives for purchase decisions. It also examined potential areas to expand vending machine use and the general public’s awareness of new vending machine technology and products.

Planet Antares vending operators must ensure that the consumers that use your vending machines are well informed about the products that you vend as well as any technology that you have decided to incorporate in your vending machines. The recent study that was conducted came up with new findings regarding consumer’s views about vending, such as listed below:
1) Motivation for vending machine purchases. Consumers said that they buy from vending machines mainly due to convenience and ease.

2) They are reluctant to make vending machine purchases mainly because of poor selection and the misconception that vending machines usually do not offer healthy options. If you have a Planet Antares snack and beverage vending machine, you need to make sure that you have the right product selection to suit the location.

3) The success of your sales depends on brand recognition as well. Consumers express high brand loyalty. They usually make purchases of familiar items from vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines are glass front vending machines so a branded item will be highly visible.

4) Many customers are unaware of new vending machine technology. Cashless payment options appeal to the public since it makes the whole buying process more convenient.

Potential customers are reluctant to make vending machine purchase as they believe that vending machines don’t offer healthy products and that the general prices of vending machine products are on the higher side. These misconceptions need to be set straight.

Planet Antares Vending: A Viable Business

2008-06-10T02:13:00.000-07:00

Since the early days of vending, operating costs have increased significantly. However, financial realities still make Planet Antares vending a good bet for the serious enterpreneur.

Vending may be the last truly viable business opportunity for someone with enterpreneurial skills to earn a decent income. As much as the industry has consolidated and it has become more expensive for a business to enter the “big league”, there is still scope for the small enterprises. This is something that will not change any time soon.

Majority of the people would start a vending operation to earn some extra money. While some start it on a part-time basis, others build it into a full time job. Vending opportunities by Planet Antares Inc are both easy-entry business and a very flexible one too. A vending operator can start running it from home and can also decide how quickly to grow the business. Due to these qualities, it is a very attractive business program.

If you want to start a vending business, you can begin by purchasing new or used Planet Antares glass front snack and cold drink vending machines at a very affordable rate. If you have enough equity at home, it won’t be tough to finance the purchase of equipment.

Use your garage to store products and your car to transport the products. Once you have started running yoru business, you must solicit only locaitons that will generate avergae minimum sales of $100 per week, per machine and keep the commission costs below 10 percent of sales. Make sure that your products are priced in a way that you can derive at least 50 percent gross profit.

When you decide to shift your business out of home, your startup costs will rise to that of running a full fledged business. The new facility will come with additional costs, so in order to provide the additional revenues to pay for all this, you will have to get more customers and machines for your Planet Antares vending business. The ROI will vary according to the size of the entity. In a one-man business, operating out of home may make it possible to earn a realistic 40-50 percent ROI.

Challenges For Planet Antares Vending Machine Profitability

2008-05-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

As time progresses, the vending machine industry will have to change along with it. The economy has experienced a good degree of growth but the vending industry has not prospered as much. There are several reasons for the same, such as:

Work site downsizing
Outsourcing
Higher competition from non vending retailers

The cost of vending machine operations has been rising faster than the vending machine sales and vendors’ retail price points which greatly affect the profits. Moreover, vending machine prices are not keeping up with inflation rates or wholesale products costs. By adopting new strategies, it will be easier for vending machine operators to maintain profits.

When you become a Planet Antares vending operator, you will face unique challenges when it comes to price changes as vending prices are based on overall profitability which includes taxes, commissions, service costs, costs of goods and overhead. Usually, vending operators are reluctant to raise prices. They need to consider the impact of the consumer price index on the price environment and consumer confidence.

Consumers are aware of the increasing retail prices and they will be accommodating for price hike in vending machine products. Also, their confidence is up due to economic developments. Incentives such as price reduction on less popular products can be offered by Planet Antares vending operators.

By cutting down on commissions paid to the Planet Antares vending machine locations, you can bring about changes without any direct impact on the customers. This strategy can be used to avoid raising prices of vending products.

As a vending operator, you need to invest in employees who will be handling your Planet Antares vending machines. This is because accurate accounting is essential to determine the profitability of an account.

It will not be difficult to achieve efficiency and profitability with the help of Planet Antares vending machines incorporated with new technology. In short, you will need to enhance the efficiency of your vending machines and develop good working relationships with the customer in order to maintain and expand business profitability.

The Alluring Instant Return Vending Business

2008-05-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking of starting vending machines business as a home based business, here are three important facts that you must know.

1. Vending machines start earning revenue for you almost instantly.
2. It is quite inexpensive to buy a brand new, high quality vending machine.
3. If you choose the right locations for your vending equipment, there is great possibility of earning return on initial investment within the first year itself.

Ask any experienced vending business owner and he will confirm these facts. When you install the first vending machine and see immediate purchases by customers, it gives a wonderful feeling. The vending business is actually a unique opportunity to become your own boss and that is what attracts thousands of people towards it!

In the beginning, you must be careful while selecting the vending machines. Make sure that you don’t overpay for any equipment that is not worth the price. A good idea will be to look for a reputable vending company such as Planet Antares Inc and get high quality, durable vending machines from them at competitive prices.

Many times you will be approached by fraudsters who claim to offer the best vending machines, products and services and assure instant success to newcomers, unfortunately, they hardly ever deliver on their promises and you may end up losing a lot of money, time and energy in the process. To avoid such a situation, always carry out preliminary research about the different kinds of vending machines and suppliers in your area to get the best deals.

Once you have decided about the machines and products, it is essential to search for effective locations. This can be done on your own or with the help of a hired vending machine locator. Planet Antares Inc offers locating services as part of their deal with customers. Also, you need to match the location with the kind of vending machines you purchase and products to be sold.
Vending commissions are another issue to be taken care of while setting up a vending business. This is the percentage of profits that is given to the location owners in exchange for keeping your vending machines in their premises.

Over a period of time, you will understand that saving is essential for business growth and development. So, it is recommendable to buy your products supplies and equipment from a wholesaler and not the retail distributor. This will save you a lot of money.

All this can be time consuming as well as require constant hard work and inputs on your behalf. However, the returns of this all-cash, high profits business opportunity are worth the efforts you make in the long run.

Marketing Tactics for Candy and Snack Vending Machines

2008-04-23T03:44:00.000-07:00

The large candy and snack companies are encouraging vending machine operators to upgrade to large-sized candy bars and snacks as it will be a great revenue generating opportunity. Beverage and soda companies were first to offer such an upgrade in their products to vending operators, going from 12-ounce to 20-ounce beverages.

Several benefits are associated with such an upgrade in the size and quantity of snacks and beverages. Vending operators can gain advantages in various forms that were not possible in case of the conventional sized candy or beverages.

In fact, while presenting this upgrade to Planet Antares vending operators, beverage companies propose three main advantages to them. These include the following:

1) Benefits for vending operators

Vending operator would benefit from the upgrading to large sized bottles in the long run. Even though the vending operator would realize lower gross margins, the gross dollar profit will increase for the same.

2) Benefits for manufacturers

The beverage manufacturer will gain as the margins will improve. These will definitely be higher when they sell 20-ounce beverages instead of the 12-ounce beverages.

3) Benefits to customers

The customer will benefit from purchasing a 20-ounce beverage since he would receive 8 more ounces of product at a lower per ounce cost than if they choose to purchase a traditional 12-ounce beverage.

An often used tactic in the food vending industry is that of trade-up marketing. Many of the fast food chains have increased the beverage sizes dramatically for a small rise in prices, allowing the customers to get more value for their money.

In other cases, a small beverage option is completely eliminated. Some of the convenience stores no longer offer a 12-ounce coffee or soda and only provide a 20-ounce beverage serving. As consumers demand larger products at a small upgrade cost, many vending machine companies are experiencing success with the technique of trade-up marketing.

Vending Business And Wellness Programs

2008-04-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Most operators with school accounts are familiar with the importance of delivering health and wellness products and messages, ecuase the issue has been a topic of debate in the school market for several years now.

The federally-moderated school wellness programs are designed to motivate schools to create new ways to address the issue. Planet Antares vending operators who carry these products will be perceived as valuable business partners working to be a part of the solution.

Company-wide wellness programs are the answer for many companies and bring a number of benefits. Wellness programs reduce absenteeism, on the job injuries, workers compensation costs, and disability-management costs. They can also help in reducing insurance premiums and increase productivity.

All well ness programs are not the same. Different accounts will most likely want to structure different Planet Antares vending programs that are based on the buying habits of their workforce.

A higher percentage of healthier choices may be desired by some companies while other companies might not have the internal support necessary to make such an ambitious plan financially feasible. You need to be flexible by conveying to your account that you are prepared to work towards achieivng a program that will work fot them.

The good news for vending operators is that across the industry, manufacturers are coming together to offer a wider array of products that can help them meet their customer demands, and other resources are also provided to help them address this issue as well.

The Planet Antares vending operators, who research the market and understand how to effectively adapt to the dynamic landscape, are the ones that will thrive. This means that the companies leading the way tomorrow will be the ones with the ability to recognize that health and wellness programs are here to stay. This means that using a wellness program is bound to make your vending business all the more successful.

Planet Antares Toy Vending Machine

2008-03-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Toys are one of the best selling vending products. Not only kids but even youngsters and elders like to use these vending machines. You can find toy vending machines at most places with heavy children traffic.

Not only do these machines offer toys through regular vending, but also in the form of prizes, allowing you to win the desired toy or get a free toy with a purchased product. Specialized toys can be found in specialized stores while some stores may even use vending machines to dispense their own small sized merchandise.

If you are planning to setup a toy vending machine business, you should keep the following factors in mind:

#1: Purchase vending machines from a trustable vending machine company like Planet Antares Inc. this will help you get good quality, feature packed, vending machines at competitive prices. Also, you can enjoy various after sale services for easier setup and maintenance of your vending equipment.

#2: Once you have purchased the vending machine, find the appropriate location according to the target customers. Don’t install kid’s toy vending machine where teenage kids are frequent visitors or vice versa. While stuffed toys will be popular among small kids, tattoo and sticker vending would be better for a mature crowd.

#3: Don’t go for trendy and latest items alone. This may bring in high profits initially but is not a profitable decision in the long term. Short term attractions are not dependable. You can stock your vending machines with proven hits and bestsellers for consistent sales.

#4: Analyze the sales trend of your vending products to know about the popular products and others which need to be replaced or revolved. This helps in keeping inventory control and reducing wastage of funds for ineffective products.

#5: After some time, you may expand your vending business by looking for new locations and products. This ensures business growth and profitability. The more locations you have, the more you can earn.

All these tips should help you make the most of your toy vending experience. Do your homework and select vending equipment, products and locations after research and analysis of market trends.

Sources Of Information About The Drink Vending Business

2008-03-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

In the past decade, the vending industry has experienced great amount of profits and growth. With little time to eat in the hectic schedule, along with the convenience and availability of vending machines, consumers have been looking at vending machines for meeting their hunger and thirst needs.

For those looking for a fast growing enterprise for making a good living, this can be the perfect opportunity to start their own business and earn high profits. You can work your own hours, get free from a restrictive job and enjoy more time with your family.

One of the most profitable segments in the vending industry is the snack and soda vending machines, as they are used by majority of the customers. If you buy vending machines from a reputable source like Planet Antares Inc and place them strategically, a good amount of cash can be collected every week. The level of income generated will depend on the place of location and amount of traffic the area gets. Perhaps, this is one of the easiest and most profitable businesses you will ever come across.

As a Planet Antares vending operator, you will have to ensure that all your vending machines are stocked with high quality products and remain in working order at all times. If you keep your vending machines well maintained and filled with good items, this will make them more attractive and appealing to the customers.

Don’t be hasty in choosing the vending machine company from which you will buy your equipment. Some of them may not be as honest as they should be. You need to be smart and educated about the various factors that make a vending machine company reliable to make the right decision. Doing your homework before investing your money in anything is essential.

You do not need any technical expertise to start a drink vending business but it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about it. There are E-books and online forums available for guiding you through the process of setting up and running a vending business. You may buy a few vending machines, take them on lease or even purchase an existing vending route to get started.

No set rules can be defined for success in the vending business. So, you have the power to choose which way you want to start. Don’t put down any money before finding out all the facts about the various aspects of a vending program. Remember that a drink or food vending business is not something that will make you rich overnight. As you gain experience and exposure, add new machines and find new locations to see what works for you best.

Consider different locations like business offices, restaurants and subway stations. Employees in offices will like coffee, soda or water along with the latest trend of low-calorie, healthier snacks. If you are ready to invest more money, hire a professional locator to find great locations for your vending machines.

Secrets To Coffee Vending Business Profitability

2008-02-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

Honestly, coffee vending machine business is not easy to setup or run successfully. If someone tells you that it’s a cakewalk, they are probably just trying to get your money or sell their vending machines.

For every coffee sold, you will make only a few cents and moreover, the profits will have to be shared with the location owner, Utilities Company and machine repayment. In the end, you won’t be left with much income, at least no enough to fulfill your profitability goals.

A lot of folks talk about the merits of coffee vending machine business as the best business opportunity for vending operators. According to them, this model can prove to be a great source of passive income but you must not take any decision before evaluating its pros and cons yourself.

I don’t want to misguide you or discourage you about the lucrative nature of a coffee vending machine business. However, it is important for you to know that it is not easy to make money in this business. The machines will break down, the ingredients will run out, the money will have to be collected and you will have to clean the machine for pest prevention regularly, if not daily.

Difficult it is but not impossible to make money from coffee vending machines. In this article, I will share some secrets that will enable you to establish and run a successful coffee vending machine business.

1. Don’t locate it at malls
To run a profitable coffee vending machine business, you must remember that your inflow should be more than your outflow. Placing vending machines in shopping malls will not help you achieve this goal. The basic rental, utilities and commission will be high enough to wipe out whatever profits you earn. Shopping malls have good traffic but their sales are not very high. This is mainly because there’s too much choice for the customer and it is difficult to get him to buy from your vending machine only.

2. Less is better
Like any other vending business, coffee vending machine business also requires focus on the location of the equipment. You must have heard countless times about the importance of location but it is slightly different in case of coffee vending business. The key factor is to find a location where there is less competition and potential for larger volume of customer traffic. Good locations include neighbor hospitals, military compounds, police stations, fire stations, etc.

3. Think different
Don’t wait for the crowd to come to you, go to them! With all the attractive, easy to handle models of coffee vending machines coming out in the market, you have the opportunity to explore new locations, customer segments and business expansion.

All you need to do is invest in reliable vending machines such as Planet Antares vending machines and maintain them. This will truly make it easier for you to run a profitable coffee vending machine business.

Using American Money In Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

It is very easy to use the logically designed American money system. It is based on the dollar on which all cash and coins are dependent ($1.00). As part of one dollar, the coins are found in the form of dimes and quarters. The frequently used bill denominations in Planet Antares vending machines include twenty, ten, five and one.

There is a specific size and design for each type of coin. This is also applicable to paper bills. All vending machines accept coins and paper money. When the money is placed in the Planet Antares vending machine, it will read the money to analyze the amount inserted and then dispense the desired item accordingly. The vending machine will also return the change with the help of currency change detector installed in it.

These features have made vending machines very convenient and preferable to the convenience store for millions of people across the world. Americans find vending machines very easy to use as a quick solution to their hunger and thirst needs. Planet Antares vending machines are equipped with changer machines for changing the dollar bills for customers instead of working with ‘exact change’ only. The changer machine can be mounted next to the vending machine so that anyone in need for change can get it near the vending machine whenever necessary.

While using vending machines, people try different techniques to cheat the equipment. Many times, people try to insert dollar bills half way and then pull it out after the machine has read the dollar bill. A string may be used to do this. Another common trick is to get back the coins inserted for buying a vending machine product.

One of the most useful coins is the quarter. In schools and college campuses, a lot of vending machines accept coins, especially quarters. The coin operated Planet Antares vending machines take these coins to dispense products like snacks and beverages. Many vending machines accept small bills like ones, fives and tens but the change given out by the equipment will be in coins.
You must know that vending machines do not take in dollar coins, half dollars, pennies or Canadian coins. More and more people are using credit and debit cards for buying products from vending machines as the cashless vending payment technology gains popularity among Planet Antares vending operators. Easy and safe to use, these cards are the new form of American shopping currency.

Saving Fuel In Your Planet Antares Vending Business Operations

2008-01-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

A common problem for vending operators all over the world has been the high fuel costs. It seems as if there is a never ending price hike in the fuel prices and hence, an increasing cost control issue for all the vending industry.

Vending vehicles such as trucks and route vehicles are used for transporting products from base to various locations where the vending machines have been placed. A small, home based business will usually have a personal vehicle for such purposes but a larger, sophisticated vending business will require hiring or purchase of route vehicles for vending operations.

The trick is to train your route driver to use the vehicle for productive purposes and not waste the fuel of the vending truck by using it for personal reasons. Such practices will only increase the cost levels for your business. If you keep your vehicle in good condition, there will be lesser and more optimum fuel usage than in case of an inefficient one. It is important to make strategies for saving money for better pruposes by cutting down on fuel costs.

With technological advancements, it has become easier to save money on fuel costs. However, you must understand that these are long term solutions, not shortcuts to cut down on vending operastion costs.

GPS is one technology that is used for vending business operations. This satellite-based fleet monitorig system can go a long way in improving the operational efficiency as well as employee accountability.as you can easily monitor the usage pattern of the vehicles and the speed of drivers, it becomes easier to save fuel. You also get the chance to devise more efficient routing for your vehicles.

O the other hand, alternative fuels such as propane instead of diesel or gasoline can signifcantly reduce the fuel costs of your Planet Antares vending business. A gallon of propane gas will cost you les than half the price of gasline and can be found at almost 500 depots located across the country.

Here are a few tips for keeping your vehicle in top condition without overspending on fuel.

Driving at consistent speed can increase fuel economy.

Check whether the tires are properly inflated so that there is no unneccesary load on the vehicle.

Lengthy engine idling can lead to fuel wastage that should be avoided.

Conflicts Related To Vending Machine Business

2008-01-07T02:03:00.000-08:00

The vending industry has a long and interesting history. Introduced many years ago, vending machines have formed an essential part of our daily lives today. It has become more convenient to find quick solutions for hunger and thirst. Also, a new world of technological advances and faster transactions has been opened through vending machines.

Gone are the days of mechanical vending equipment. Now, you will usually find electronic, wireless or remote operated vending machines. Along with that, the capacity of vending machines has immensely improved over the years. Where earlier models were able to dispense a single item, currently you are able to find vending machines that offer upto 50 selections of products. Planet Antares vending machines are reliable equipment that can yield high returns through efficient vending operations.

You can choose from a variety of vending programs that suit your business niche, target customers as well as the budget. Natural Choice USA has been providing vending operators an opportunity to start and run their vending business successfully through diverse vending programs.

Technological innovations in vending machines by companies like Antares Corporation have made impressive progress and led to increase in vending industry competitiveness, customer base and profitability. In ancient times, different countries conducted trade through vending machines. This led to a rise in the selections available for food items. With time, the various societies realized the monetary gains involved in vending and as a result, started using it as a means of economic growth.

Nowadays, you will find a large array of products being dispensed through vending machines. From small items like toys, candy, stickers and gumballs to larger items like soda, snacks, tissues, cigarettes and even digital products, almost anything can be purchased from vending machines. This serves as a great opportunity for vending operators to establish and operate a profitable vending business.

Recently, there has been a conflict in the vending machine business regarding the kind of products being dispensed. Especially for food items, there has been an increasing emphasis on healthier options that will provide nutritional and fitness oriented products to customers. People are getting health conscious and want to replace fried, high calorie snacks and beverages with nutritional ones.

Schools and college campuses are popular vending locations that are facing this challenge for quite some time now. Americans are struggling with obesity and have become more conscious about what they eat and drink. So, you must ensure that healthy food items are offered by your equipment. Planet Antares vending machines offer healthy and nutritional vending products to school children as well as business office employees.

Reputable vending companies like Planet Antares offer complete guidance and support to you while setting up and running your vending business. They will offer vending products as well. This will enable you to handle vending machine conflicts in the appropriate manner so that there are no time delays or wastage of resources.

How To Bid For Government Vending Contracts

2007-12-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

There are various vending business customers who seek to fulfill different needs through vending machines. Your vending machine business can earn substantial profits by meeting such customer needs in a satisfactory manner. Another way to enhance business returns is to undertake government projects.

While bidding for government projects, you must keep certain aspects of your Planet Antares vending business in mind. It is important to follow specific guidelines to gain a competitive advantage over other players in the industry.

Here are the steps for effective bidding for government vending contracts:

Step 1
The first thing to do will be to identify the circumstances that apply best to you business products and services. You should only pursue the opportunities that suit your offerings for best results. Such opportunities will be ranked and then, a strategic plan will be developed in the local and state government marketplace.

Step 2
Some vending companies may not have the time or resources to spend on searching for and researching vending business opportunities. There are strategic market intelligence companies that can help you under such circumstances. They have expertise in helping businesses collect useful information as well as in building relations with government organizations. You can also use their services for your Antares Corporation vending business.

Step 3
Gather information about the target customers, decision makers and influential persons involved in the project. Government projects will have a lot of influence by the elected officials and staffers. This means that you should be very careful while designing a business plan for such projects and make sure that no anti-lobbying laws are violated.

Step 4
For any government project, there will be aggressive competition. Many other vending companies will bid on the same opportunities and try to outdo the competitors. Hence, you will have to device a winning strategy to ensure that you win the government request. Develop and convey strong reasons why your Antares vending business should be selected over all the other bidders.

Step 5
It’s imperative to validate your message. This means that you need to communicate your message in a way that it is deciphered by the evaluators in the same way you intended. For example, a company supplying healthy vending products must give information about the ingredients and nutritional contents of the items. This will help on convincing them about your ability to meet customer requirements.

To win a government vending project, you must be thoroughly prepared and execute a well-planned strategic proposition that can beat the competition.

Enhance Daily Vending Operations With DEX

2007-12-04T03:20:00.000-08:00

DEX is a well known term among vending machine operators. In the coming time, it will play an important role in enhancing daily operations of vending business as well as industry.

Different operators have different level of knowledge about DEX and its ability to improve operational efficiency. In simple words, DEX stands for Data Exchange and is used to refer to the DEX/UCS data exchange standard. It’s a protocol used to collect audit information through vending machines built in the last 6-12 years.

For using this system, you will need to install a DEX cable. It looks like an old quarter inch headphone cable that can be connected through the female connector of a vending machine, which may be available as a loose cable wired to the board or mounted on the controller board.
A standard RS-232 or serial protocol is used to transfer data between machines and the host which is typically a handheld computer or remote retrieval system. As an Antares vending operator, you can reap various benefits by using DEX but it requires:

a. Purchase and use of vending machines that have this feature. Your vending equipment should be DEX enabled.
b. you must ensure that there is a method of capturing the DEX data electronically. Since the last 20 years, driver handheld has been the most common option for this function but a new alternative can be the remote monitoring solutions.
c. once the hardware is obtained, you will need software that can convert raw data into meaningful information.

Using DEX enabled vending machines is a great way to enhance daily operations as well as keep the vending business sales and profits estimates in accurate figures and statements.

You should only use good quality, reliable vending equipment that has this feature and does not result in any errors in software programs, DEX support, etc. Planet Antares vending machines do not have any problems of this kind and support DEX for better daily operations and vending business efficiency.

All About Vending Machine Dispensers

2007-11-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Any vending machine owner or operator would know that a vending machine is incomplete without dispenser. Basically, this is an essential component that dispenses the products selected by the consumer. Before this, the customer will have to insert coins or other form of currency in the vending machine to operate it.

You’ll find dispensers in all vending machines and places. Most of them are in automated form that dispenses diverse kinds of products like snacks, hot and cold beverages, tissues, cigarettes, water, digital items, etc. in Planet Antares vending machines, you will usually find toys, candy, snacks and beverages being dispensed.

If you plan to buy a vending machine, choose it according to your customers’ requirements, business goals, budget and quality of features like dispenser, coin acceptors, security system, etc. You may go for vending equipment with cashless technology that allows customers to pay by way of credit or debit card. This helps in getting more people to use your vending machines for desired products as they don’t have to look for change to buy them.

Listed below are some important things about vending machine dispensers that you must know while purchasing a vending machine.

The most common form of dispensers is those dispensing fluids or beverages. With the help of features like “peristaltic pumps”, these are able to dispense fixed and accurate level of liquids. Reputable vending companies like {Planet Antares Inc offer vending machines that incorporate this feature.
Such vending machines with dispensers are very easy to fill and simple to operate. They have a push button mechanism that is user friendly and highly effective.
Another feature of dispensers is the level indicator window that allows you to check whether the dispenser requires refilling or there is adequate amount of vending product in the machine. No vending operator would like the customers to wait in front of an empty vending machine. This is bad for not only vending sales but also your business reputation.

If you purchase a Planet Antares vending machine, it will dispense high quality, branded snacks and beverages without any issues like stuck products or frequent malfunctioning. The dispensing procedure will be completed in minimum possible time and customers will prefer using your vending machine to going to the local store. So, it is imperative to invest in a vending machine with reliable dispensers.

Vending Machine Operator: To Be Or Not To Be?

2007-11-20T04:30:00.000-08:00

Anyone who wants to setup and run a successful vending machine business should be clear about its various aspects, commitment and capital requirements. If you plan to do it as a pastime, don’t expext to see any substantial profits or business expansion for a long time.

It is essential to start your vending business on the right foot. With all the information and support available, you should not have much problem in understanding the basics of the business or getting aware of the issues to be taken care of.

First of all, you must be smart enough to ensure that you don’t fall prey to the attractive vending machines offered for cheap rates. Don’t keep price as your top priority because the equipment’s performance is the main criteria for determining your success or failure. There will be many companies that sell poor quality vending machines and con the ignorant buyers. So, you have to be careful while selecting a vending machine provider for your business. Go for reliable and affordable equipment like Planet Antares vending machines to get value for your money.

Having done this, don’t sit back and consider your task over. Along with the equipment, the products and machine locations also matter a lot in making or breaking your business. Vending locations m\need to be selected carefully. This can’t be stressed enough. If you don’t match the location according to the vending machines, products and needs of the target customers, your vending machines may not be able to generate significant revenue.

You may perform this task yourself or hire a professional vending machine locator to do so. Planet Antares Inc offers vending products and locating service along with the vending machines. They can provide useful advice about the best, high traffic locations and help you in procuring them too.

Another part of successful vending business is choosing the right products for your vending machines. Go for branded, high quality products that are in demand. Not just conventional bestsellers but even the latest products should be offered to arouse customer interest and increase chances of impulse buying.

Planet Antares vending machine operators have high income expectations. This is not just on paper but also proven from the hundreds of people who have actually setup profitable vending business in the past. There is lesser possibility of your vending business venture going wrong if you go for a reputable company to buy vending machines and products.

It’s also important to plan your time schedule to ensure periodic filling and servicing of vending machines. Customers will be happy only when your vending machines function properly at all times.

After reading all these facts, it is your decision whether you are ready to become a vending machine operator or not. The vending business is truly a unique opprtunity to become your own boss and if you do it carefully, it can be highly rewarding.

All About Ice Cream Vending Machines

2007-10-30T05:09:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves ice cream. What better way is there to beat the summer heat? You can choose from a wide range of ice cream flavors to suit your taste and preference. Ice cream parlors can be found in your local market easily.

Like many other products, vending machines have started selling ice creams too. This is especially beneficial for people who don’t have the time to take break from their work to go out and buy ice cream or are in a rush. Your creativity in placing the vending machines at effective locations will also help in deciding the amount of sales that can be generated.

Frozen food vending machines, including ice cream vending machines, offer hunger solutions on a 24/7 basis. You can place your ice cream vending machines in:

• Commercial places
• Convenience stores
• Business offices
• Airports
• Railway stations
• Shopping malls
• Schools
• College campuses

Ice cream vending machines are an attractive opportunity for earning money. Out of the total vending market, they hold a share of about 2%. In money terms, this means billions of dollars turn over per annum. To begin with, you must carry out research regarding the different aspects of ice cream vending business like:

• Ice cream only models
• Integrated frozen food models
• Complete meal models

Choose a reliable vending machine supplier like Planet Antares Inc to get the best quality new, used or rented machines at affordable prices.

Some vending machines may have unique features like:

• Touch screen front door
• Ability to prepare fresh ice cream from stocked ingredients
• Multiple payment options including coins, notes and credit cards

Usually, you will find ice cream vending machines with striking décor and accessories t attract customers and arouse interest in products. These machines may vary in capacity with some of them offering upto 200 varieties for selection by the customer.

Technological advancement has led to the use of computers and memory chips in ice cream vending machines to increase their durability and functionality. One such feature includes the introduction of cold plate freezers instead of dry ice models in the freezing mechanism to save energy.

Maintenance Tips For Refrigerated Beverage Vending Machines

2007-09-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Your refrigerated beverage vending machines can be a reliable source of income while providing cold products to customers. It is essential to keep your vending machines in top condition so that your customers don’t need to wait in front of a broken machine. Moreover, location owners also prefer machines that perform consistently and need minimum possible repair.

Here are a few tips for effective operations and maintenance of your refrigerated beverage vending machines:

#1: Make sure that you purchase a vending machine from a reputable supplier. A good vending machine provider will provide vending machine servicing, refilling, repair and maintenance services for its customers. Planet Antares Inc offers all these after sale services to support the vending operator’s business.

#2: Ask your vending machine supplier about the power mode of the selected machine. If it is has an active low power mode, the vending machine will be put into a state of low-energy refrigeration when there is low or no usage of the machine. This can help you in saving electricity costs too as upto 20% energy may be saved.

#3: For vending machines that don’t have a low power mode, you can go for an external controller. The use of such device requires giving instructions to the premises owners and employees regarding the installation and operation of this unit.

#4: Multiple machines may be connected to a single external controller. A repeater must be used to ensure that there is no extra load on the electrical circuit and the machines start smoothly.

#5: Another way to save energy is de-lamping of advertising lights in the vending machines. Even though this will meet resistance from many business owners, you can inform them about the energy saved by doing so (upto 30%).

#6: For products requiring constant refrigeration, you should avoid using low power mode and other energy saving techniques. These may lead to rotting or spoilage of such products.

Remember that you can reduce your operating costs by cutting down on maintenance costs by using the above stated techniques. Take all these factors into consideration to ensure efficiency in vending machine operations and avoid breakdown or malfunctioning.

Digital Displays For Planet Antares Soda Vending Machines

2007-09-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

With increasing competition and customer demands, you need to find new ways to keep your vending machine customers satisfied and interested in using your vending machines. Digital display technology for soda vending machines has helped vending operators attract new customers and keep the existing customers coming back.

This is a great way to advertise soda vending products and with new technological updates, it has become very affordable too. The display involves a small LCD screen setup at the front of the soda vending machine. It may even be placed on the coin receptacle or on top of the vending machine.

Innovative digital display includes touch enabled devices and interactive video content to provide a personalized experience to the vending machine customers. It is an effective way to stimulate the customer’s interest and encourage impulse purchases.

Soda vending machines are benefited in various ways by digital technology, some of the most important ones being:

a) Products of the Planet Antares vending machine can be marketed at the point of purchase itself. Buyer’s decisions can be influenced by giving him instant information about the various products available through the vending machine.

b) Customers would prefer dynamic, interactive vending machines over static soda vending machines which have nothing new to offer. This keeps the consumers interested in your vending machine. It also enables advertising of new products without additional expenses.

c) Lesser soda vending machine maintenance costs will be incurred. There will be no wear and tear of selection buttons and other parts used by customers. With graphic icons, you can avoid frequent servicing and repair expenses.

d) It will be easier to get high-end locations with technically advanced soda vending machines. You can beat the competition and ensure increased sales as well.

e) Vending machine monitoring becomes easier and faster with the use of digital technology. This is due to the use of digital hardware in a remote vending machine to network with your computer.

f) Multifunctional digital display will enable vending machine operators to advertise latest products and business details at the same time. This helps in better marketing and sales.

All these advantages have made digital display technology a good marketing tool for soda vending machines. If you want to have an edge over the competition and enhance your profits as well, such technology can help you achieve this objective.

Planet Antares Vending Machines as an Investment Option

2007-09-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

All around you, there are thousands of investment opportunities, most of which promise instant and enormous amount of returns. Having the money to invest in a business is not enough. You must also know where to invest and make sure that you don’t end up losing your money. There are many factors which should be analyzed before making an investment decision. There is no venture which gives a 100% guarantee of success but there are various options which are more probable to do so. One such investment option is the Planet Antares vending machine business.
The best thing about this business is that you do not require any office space to start. A vending machine is all that you will need to start operating as a vending machine operator. However, you will have to choose the location for your vending machines carefully. This decision is a make or break factor as the machines can only earn as much as they are used by people. So the major investment is only in purchasing the vending machine and the products to be sold. For beginners, it is better to go for a small vending machine dispensing products like candy, toys, etc. As you gain experience, you can invest in larger, complex and more income generating machines.

It is not necessary that there will be a direct relationship between the investment made by you and the profits earned by the vending business. By placing your vending machines in strategic locations, you can make the most of your investment. This doesn’t mean that you should go for cheap bargains and ignore quality of service. There are many good vending machine suppliers like Planet Antares Inc. which provide vending machines for low, medium or large investment budgets.

You also have the option of buying vending machines through wholesale suppliers, renting them or taking used machines. These must be checked for any malfunctioning or other problems. Another way to start a vending machine business is to buy machines which are already located at various places.

This investment option is unique in its features and allows saving of time, money and effort while giving you the opportunity to be your own boss. You just have to make sure that the vending machines are regularly served, refilled and promptly repaired in case of any faults. You should also keep updating the machine with better features and technological additions.

Within vending itself, there is a wide variety of choices such as bulk vending, soda and snack vending, newspaper vending, etc. With time and experience, you can try customized vending machines too. Definitely, this is one of the best investment opportunities with great earnings and growth possibility.

Say Goodbye to Money Problems: Try Vending Business

2007-08-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

In a time when everyone is looking for a job to pay the rent and the endless bills, you can say goodbye to a stressful life by getting into the vending business. Now, you can find time for all the things you always wanted to do. If it sounds like a good idea, why don’t you give it a shot?

Viability of the Venture
Everywhere you go, you will find vending machines. It’s like the business opportunity is staring you in the face. You don’t even have to go to office or supervise a team of employees. Just purchase and install the vending machines to set the money rolling. The average time spent by Planet Antares vending machine owners on servicing is about 15-20 minutes. The rest of the time is at your own disposal.

A Planet Antares vending machine can make about $30 a month. Multiply this by the number of racks in a machine and the number of machines placed in various locations. This can give you an idea how lucrative this business may turn out to be.

Facing the Competition
You may wonder if there are any places left for placing new vending machines. After all, they seem to be at just about every other place. However, you will be surprised to find a lot of undiscovered locations with great potential. Once you get down to doing some serious searching and strategy formation, you can match the location to your product to capitalize on untouched venues.

Bulk vending machines, especially candy machines are very popular amongst children and families. It is best to place such machines in areas visited by them frequently. If kids have to wait while their parents do shopping, they are highly probable to indulge in some candy, gumball or toy shopping and that is where your vending machine comes into the picture.

Calculating the Cost
The costs of vending machines may differ according to their size and type but are generally quite inexpensive. You can get a triple vending machine for just $110. You can benefit from this unique combination of low investment and high profits. You can start with a few small sized machines and get a feel of the business before expanding your scale of operations.
With such attractive features and multiple advantages, vending business is definitely worth a try.

Progress of the Vending Industry

2007-06-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

The vending industry in the United States has progressed over the decades. It is today a fast growing mainstream retailing medium. These days, everywhere you go, you are bound to come upon a vending machine. Snack and beverage vending machines like those that are provided by Planet Antares can always be found in most locations since they are usually in demand in most locations and the products are popular with the public. The presence of vending machines in all types of locations goes to show how the vending has been steadily growing over the years. The vending industry has really come a long way from what it was before. Today, you will find all kinds of products in vending machines, not just the traditional products. In the future, we can be sure of seeing a wider variety of products in vending machines.

As the vending industry grew, technology advanced and retailing became sophisticated. Market sectors were defined with greater precision; while on the other hand, vending machines grew more flexible. Vending machines are now able to contain a wider variety of products that have not been specifically sized for vending. Today we have machines like Planet Antares vending machines that have high capacities, which enable them to house a large number of products.

In Japan the vending industry has expanded greatly. They offer all kinds of products in their vending machines. You can find anything from electrical appliances to a pair of jeans.

Cashless payment options have also changed the face of vending in the recent years. This kind of technology has always been widely used in the retail industry, but of late, the vending industry has adapted this system in vending machines. Here customers don’t need to have cash on them to buy an item that they want. All that they have to do is to insert a card and wait for the products. This technology can increase the sales of your Planet Antares vending business.

The vending industry has also changed their attitude towards healthy products over the years. There is a growing demand for these kinds of products in vending machines. Health products are already available in the retail sector, now it is being made available in the vending industry. If you have Planet Antares vending machines in schools, you would have to vend health products, since most schools today are demanding only health foods for their students.

In the U.S. the vending industry is gradually progressing, mainly due to technology. The kind of changes that have occurred has made vending more efficient. Technology has really changed the face of the vending business. It has allowed vending operators to experience higher sales, thus higher revenue.

The Advantage of Having Quality Vending Machines

2007-06-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Quality vending machines have the advantage of functioning perfectly, looking great and being durable. If you want vending machines that will make you the most money for the best possible price, look no further than Planet Antares Inc. These are quality vending machines that will not let you down.

When you are a vending operator that wants to provide quality vending services to different facilities or locations, then you would need to start by acquiring quality vending machines like those that are provided by Planet Antares. Avoid cheap vending machines that are of low quality. If you buy these vending machines, you will end up spending more on repairs and you will experience loses due to downtime. This will all make achieving profitability in your vending business next to impossible. Low quality vending machines usually cost less money and that’s what attracts unsuspecting customers. To find quality vending machines, look for customer reviews on the vending machines that you are interested in. Those who have used Planet Antares vending machines, always have positive feedback about the machines.

With quality vending machines, you don’t really have to worry about the vending machine breaking down. These kinds of vending machines are made with the strongest materials using the latest technology. This is what makes them durable as well as trouble free. If you have a vending machine that continuously breaks down, you will end up losing sales that would have otherwise been made. The reputation of your vending machine will also be damaged, because if your vending machine is known to be a machine that breaks down at any time, people will end up avoiding the vending machine altogether.

If you question people on their vending machine experiences, you will find that some have had situations where coins have got stuck in the coin mechanism of the vending machine or a product refuses to eject from the vending machine. Customers get frustrated by such experiences because the money that they have placed in the vending machine goes to waste or they don’t receive their expected change. This usually makes them shake the vending machine, which can possibly cause damage to the machine. Planet Antares vending machines are made with the best mechanism and are designed in such a way that allows for easy delivery of products.

If you have your vending machines that are usually breaking down in a location, it will mean that the location owner will probably ask you to remove the vending machine. This means that you will have to go through the frustrations of looking for a vending machine again.

For a successful vending business, invest in quality vending machines. These can also give you an advantage over other vending operators in your area.

The Three Elements of the Vending Business

2007-06-08T04:27:00.000-07:00

The three basic elements that make up the vending business are location, equipment and service. When you have a Planet Antares vending business, you will come to understand that these three elements are what can make a vending business successful.

Locations
When you want to start a Planet Antares vending business, the logical point to start would be to look for a good location. Finding a good location would mean that you are on your path to a successful vending business. Locations can be considered as the most important factor to the success of a vending business. Don’t go for a location just because the owner has accepted to have your Planet Antares vending machine there. First determine whether the location would be ideal for your vending machine. Those who succeed in the vending business are those that hold out for the good locations. A good location may take longer to find but at the end it will be worth it because good locations might be worth about $10, 000 per year or even more. Right now there are locations in your area that would gladly change their vending service provider if you can convince them to accept your vending machine. They are probably ready to change because they are not satisfied with their current services.

Equipment
The equipments that you choose for vending business have to be quality vending machines. For you to be sure that you are buying the best vending machines, you need to buy your vending equipment from reputable vending companies like Planet Antares. These vending machines are reliable and durable. This is the kind of equipment that you need for a vending business to be successful. There is nothing as disappointing as having a vending machine that is always going through downtime. This would be an inconvenience to customers and to you as the vending operator. If you have quality vending machines, you will not have to worry about the vending machines breaking down every now and then.

Services
As a vending operator, you may be required to provide vending services to specific locations, such as offices, businesses, schools etc. The services that you provide have to be the best. The locations should not have anything to complain about. Provide the location with a menu of the products that they would want to have. You can even let them decide on the menu by themselves. When you are providing a vending service to a location, you would need to refill and clean the vending machines, as well as collect money from them. The vending machines also have to be well maintained by practicing preventative maintenance. A vending technician can take care of the maintenance.

Competition among Vending Operators

2007-06-01T04:14:00.000-07:00

Just like any other business, the vending business has its share of competition. When you have a Planet Antares vending business, you would want it to be successful so that you can earn a good profit. For any vending business to be successful, you need to have the right vending machines, locations, products and you also need to use the right strategies in your vending business.

Competition among vending operators is considered as healthy as it will encourage growth in your vending business. Competition is usually more prevalent in locations where you have to share the location with other vending operators that are running the same business. For example, when you place your Planet Antares vending machines in a shopping mall that has other snack and beverage vending businesses, you will need to look for a way to always pull customers to your vending machine. When a large number of customers use your vending machines, you end up making higher profits.

There are a number of ways that you can stay on top of the competition. Firstly just make sure that you have quality vending machines. With these vending machines, you will not have to worry about downtime. So long as you maintain vending machines by practicing preventative maintenance, you will not have to make repairs every once in a while. Customers should not find your vending machine out of order, especially when they really need to make a purchase. If your vending machine is out of order most of the time, customers will start avoiding your vending machines altogether. At the same time the location may ask you to remove the vending machine. Servicing of the vending machine is a responsibility that you as the vending operator need to take seriously. With a snack and beverage vending machine you will probably be required to service the vending machine 3 or 4 times a week. It all just depends on the traffic at the location where you have placed the vending machines. Once you have figured out how many times you’re Planet Antares vending machines will need servicing, you should select the dates that you will service them and you should also make sure that you stick to the dates. In this way, customers will never find the vending machine out of their favorite item. Servicing of the vending machines also means keeping the vending machine clean and well maintained. Listening to customers needs and catering to them is part of offering a complete vending service to the location. There are a large number of vendors that fail to provide complete vending services. This leaves customers dissatisfied. Beat the competition by providing better services.

If a location already has a snack and beverage vending machine, don’t avoid placing your Planet Antares vending there. Healthy competition will only help your vending business grow. Growth of your vending business will mean higher revenues.

Understanding the Customers of your Vending Business

2007-05-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

When you are running a vending business, understanding your customer base is crucial to the success of your business. If you have a Planet Antares vending business, it means that you will have snack and beverage vending machines in different locations. Snack and beverage vending is a very lucrative business because of the popularity of these products with the public.

It is a well known fact that Americans love snacking. That is why a snack and beverage machine in the right location can be very profitable. Having quality vending machines in the right location does not always mean that your vending business would be successful. If you have placed your Planet Antares vending machines in an office or a business, the first thing that you should do is to find out which products they would like to have in the vending machines. The right product mix in the vending machines can maximize sales. To have the right product mix, you will need to know what the customers want. The person in charge of the locations should be allowed to choose the menu of the vending machines. When the menu is chosen by the location, you can be sure that they will be satisfied with the products in the machines.

If you choose to place a Planet Antares vending machine in a school, you will be required to sell health products in the vending machines. This is because most of the schools in USA are opting for healthier foods in their vending machines. Obesity in young kids is a growing problem and school authorities are looking for way to curb the problem. Having a vending machine in a school would mean that you would need to offer healthy vending program, to cater to their needs.

When you are providing vending services to different locations, you will come across different customers with diverse needs. As a vending operator, your job is to cater to these needs. A location can make requests for certain products that are not part of your regular supply. In this case all that you have to do is get the product from your supplier. A supplier that can provide you with a wide variety of products is the kind of supplier that you should use. Whether its health foods or organic foods, a good supplier would have all these products. If customers make requests for particular products, you should be able to provide them with it

With a Planet Antares vending business, make sure that you the vending machines are well maintained and service on time. This will keep your customers satisfied. Ask for feedback on your vending services every once in a while so that you can know what the customers think about your services. Feedback will help you improve your vending business if it lacks in any area.

Product Variety in Vending Machines

2007-05-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

Having a Planet Antares vending machine in your business will mean that you are free to place whatever products the customer or your employees want in your vending machine. For example, some people like Coke while others prefer Pepsi. On the other hand some people would prefer to have health drinks. Consumer’s preferences vary, account by account. The more people there are in a vending location, then the more the diversity in their tastes. There is no way that people can have the same tastes.

According to a national survey that was conducted, personal preferences for cold drinks are divided as follows: Coke 38.6%, Pepsi 27.4%, others 34.0%. If you provide only Coke products in your Planet Antares vending machine then that means that 61.4 % of the consumers will be excluded. If you keep a variety of soft drinks in your vending machine, it will make all the consumers happy. Contented consumers will mean repeat business for you. Branded snacks and beverages always do well in vending machines because they are easily recognizable. Placing branded products in your vending machines does not mean that you place only one kind of brand. Have a variety of branded products in your vending machines, so that you cater to everyone’s tastes.

The supplier that the vending operator has engaged should provide high quality, fresh merchandise. Make sure that all products that have reached their expiry date are removed from the vending machine in time. You would not want your employees or customers to consume something which has expired, because this might be followed by a complaint. This would affect your vending business badly.

Product variety strongly depends on the location that the vending operator has chosen to place the vending machine. There are some products that would be popular in one location and not so popular in the next location. For example the products you vend in a school successfully may not be as profitable in a shopping mall. The same products cannot work in all location in the same way. Having a Planet Antares vending machine in your business, means that you are catering to your employees, as well as guests of your business. A vending operator will let you choose the snacks, beverages and food items you would want in the Planet Antares vending machine. The right product mix in the vending machines would keep your employees happy.

Place a majority of branded products in your vending machine so that they are easily recognizable. These are always quick sellers, which would mean that your profits will be maximized.

Renting Vending Machines for Your Business

2007-05-11T05:21:00.000-07:00

Renting vending machines for businesses has been a common practice among business owners. It is also a cheaper alternative to buying a new vending machine. Renting vending machine does not necessarily mean that you will get a vending machine that will come with a lot of hassles. There are vending machines out there like the ones that are provided by Planet Antares that are durable. These machines can be used for years without them wearing out.

When you decide to go a rented vending machine, make sure that you go for quality vending machines. It doesn’t mean that just because you are renting a vending machine instead of buying one, that you should compromise on the quality. Always go for the best, so that your vending business can run smoothly. You would of course want your vending program for your business to succeed so that you can earn a good enough income. Find a reputable company or a vending operator that is dealing with Planet Antares vending machines, so that you can rent the vending machines from them.

When you are renting vending machines for your business, rent attractive and durable vending machines that will grab the attention of potential buyers. These vending machines will be used by your employees and guests, so they need to be attractive enough.

The vending machine should also be well maintained. That means that you need to keep the vending machines clean, well stocked and functioning at all times. The vending machine should not experience any downtime, since it will be an inconvenience to you and your employees. You will lose sales and your employees will end up missing their favorite snack or beverage. Have a technician come to check up on the vending machine periodically. This will prevent future malfunctions.

The products that you place in the Planet Antares vending machine are also equally important. When it comes to snacks and beverages, go for the branded products. These are always sure sellers. Ask your employees about the products that they want see in the vending machines. In this way, you will only keep the products that they want in the vending machines. Having a vending machine in your business with the right products will keep your employees within the premises. They will not feel any need to go out for a snack or a beverage.

When you are ready to rent a Planet Antares vending machine, look for information on the Internet on companies that rent out vending machines. They will charge a certain amount as a rental fee. Make sure that they are charging you a fair rate so that you don’t ending paying all your profits as rental.

How to Expand Your Vending Business

2007-05-08T05:28:00.000-07:00

As a Planet Antares vending business owner, there will come a time when you would want to expand your vending business. This is a move that you should make when you are in a good financial position. When you are ready for an expansion in your vending business, use the Planet Antares vending program.

A vending business is mostly started as a home based business, because people usually start with a few vending machines. A vending business requires low investment at the start since you will not be required to have an office or a warehouse to run your vending business. This is the reason why a vending business is such a great business opportunity.

Expanding your vending business would mean, moving your business out of your home or just simply acquiring more vending machines and locations. Your Planet Antares vending business has to be financially stable in order for you to expand the business, because expanding would mean investing more money in your vending business.

Purchasing vending machines
When you are looking to expand your Planet Antares vending business, the first thing that you would need to do is to buy more vending machines. As you buy the vending machines, the locations that you have may not be enough to cater to your vending machines, which would mean that you would need to acquire more locations. Since you would already be familiar with the running of a vending business, acquiring locations would be something that you would be used to. Just make sure that you understand customer needs in the new locations.

Established routes
People who are retiring or getting out of the business usually sell their vending business as established routes. If you are expanding your vending business, purchasing established routes would be a quick way of growing your business. This is because you don’t need to go out looking for location or a supplier. In other words, you will start where the other vending operator left off and even possibly provide a better vending service.

A Planet Antares vending business is a snack and beverage vending business. When you want to expand your vending business, you can try other vending businesses such as bulk vending and special products vending. Being successful in a snack and beverage vending business will prepare you for the other kinds vending businesses.

Route Driver Productivity

2007-03-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

If you have a sizeable Planet Antares vending business, you will find that route drivers are an integral part of your snack and beverage vending operation. If you have a route driver to service your vending machines, it will be important that you know that increasing route driver productivity increases your profits. This is the reason why vending operators usually pay route drivers on a commission basis. Usually the route drivers receive a base salary plus a percentage of weekly vending machine sales. This system would encourage route drivers to take a more proactive role in increasing the sales of your Planet Antares vending business.

Incentive programs are necessary to encourage route productivity. These programs work if the employees have total control over their own productivity. However, when it comes to productivity, consumers also play a role. The actual fact is that incentive programs alone may not be enough to maximize profits.

If you create an incentive program for your Planet Antares vending operation, you will have to encourage the route driver to service as many vending machines as possible, so that they can collect more money. The downside of this system is that route drivers may decide to cut corners in an effort to work faster. They can decide to speed between locations, ignore sanitation and fall short of the cleaning requirements. If these kinds of practices occur, they can harm your Planet Antares vending business.

To avoid this from happening in your Planet Antares vending business, you must look for ways to encourage your route drivers to carry out their jobs in an efficient manner. They should service the vending machines on time and in a proficiently. In addition to this, they must also follow all health and safety guidelines. Servicing the vending machines in an efficient manner will prevent costly future breakdowns.

Route drivers can improve their efficiency by eliminating wasteful route practices. They should not rush through their jobs, just because they want to service more vending machines. If they spend some extra time talking to clients, route drivers can get to know which products and services consumers desire. If you have this information, it means that product menus can be pre-selected for each location, in order to maximize sales.

All these factors need to be taken into consideration when you are designing incentive programs for your route drivers. Proper route driver training can also help in maximizing efficiency and sales.

The Winning Products in a Vending Machine

2007-02-23T02:52:00.000-08:00

The products in your Planet Antares vending machine have to be popular with customers, because that’s the only way that they will be winning products. For a product to be a winner it has to have quality, name brand recognition, catchy packaging and a good profit margin.

There are various factors which tend to influence the customer’s perception of the value of vended products. Customers usually make their buying decisions based on how products are perceived in the convenience stores and in other retail outlets. Consumers are oriented toward value, and that means that they compare pricing with what they see and buy in c-stores. Vending machines mostly sell the same products for lower prices than c-stores and other retail outlets. This is one the reasons why when you place vending machines in the right location, you can be assured of having high sales.

Right product mix
The right product mix in your Planet Antares vending machine is very important for the success of your vending business. Associate your self with a local supplier that will provide you all the products that you would require. A good supplier usually knows which products are popular at any given time, so they should have a supply of those products at that time. Branded products always do well in vending machines because they are easily recognized. These are products that are already in other retail sectors and they are always nationally advertised. If you have them in your vending machines, there would be no need for you to promote the products in order for them to sell. Since they are branded, they will sell themselves. There are products that are popular for only a period of time and usually lose popularity after some time. When that particular product is popular, you should ride the wave by placing the product in your Planet Antares vending machine. When its popularity is over, you can replace the product with the next popular one. This will ensure that you have only wining products in your vending machines.

Packaging
Many vending machine purchases are made on impulse, which means that the packaging of the product has to be appealing to the customer. Vended product packaging must be colorful and unique, and the graphics must be positioned in such a way that the item can easily identified from the purchaser’s position. Customers can’t pick up and handle the product before they buy, so the display of the products in your vending machine must sell the products. Glass front vending machines like those provided by Planet Antares would be best suited for that, since the customer can easily see the products.

Software for your Vending Business

2007-02-19T03:15:00.000-08:00

Vending software is designed to make managing a vending business simple and easy. If you incorporate vending software into your Planet Antares vending business, you will find it easier to manage your locations, vending machines, products and practically anything else in your vending business. There are different kinds of software in the market, so you need to pick one that is easy to use and understand. At the same time it should be easy on your pocket.

The vending software that you decide on for your Planet Antares vending business should have a complete inventory system. It will enable you to view products by code, name or type. Such a system would automatically calculate inventory levels and notify you when you need to restock your vending machine. It will calculate your average cost in addition to the total inventory value. You will also get to know which products were sold in which lanes, at what price and the number of units sold at your last visit.

The vending software should maintain a list of all of your locations and contacts. This will help you know when the Planet Antares vending machines were placed in their locations and the date that they were last serviced. Vending machines need to be stocked as soon as they are empty or else you can end up losing potential sales when the customers aren’t able to find the products that they are looking for.

Detailed information about locations in your Planet Antares vending business will now be easily accessible with vending software. The products in your vending machines can be categorized. This will allow you to analyze your business to determine which category makes the most or the least revenue. If there is a product that is not selling well, you can easily decide to replace the product for something new, since you would know about its poor performance.

Whether your vending business is in the beginning, growing, stagnant or declining stage, vending software can offer an important tool for an overall improvement. The features that can be improved are, inventory control, location, machines, product inventory management, route management and so much more. When all these features are improved on, your vending business will be bound to be efficient and thus more successful.

Finding Snack and Beverage Vending Locations

2007-02-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

Snack and beverage vending machines are big in size because they are full line vending machines. This is one of the factors that will make it difficult for you to find locations for your Planet Antares vending machines. The locations for these types of vending machines have to have a high amount of foot traffic in order for it to be financially beneficial for your Planet Antares vending business. On an average, it takes about 300 calls to businesses to find a qualified snack and beverage vending machine location.

Looking for a location for your vending business is something that can be done by you or you can decide to use a locating service. It is always recommended that you look for a location on your own since you are the one that knows what you are looking for. If you don’t have the time to look for a location on your own, you can use a locating service to do the work for you, just make sure that you inspect the locations on your own, after the locator has found a suitable one.

A locating service usually makes calls to all potential locations when they are looking for a suitable location. If you are using a locating service, they would make a call to a potential location where they will make a telephonic presentation of your Planet Antares vending machine. They can even decide to fax pictures of the vending machines, as well as describe the type of snacks that the vending machine sells. If there is a location owner that is interested in having your vending machine there, an appointment should then be set by the locator, for you to inspect the location. Make sure that the location is suitable and that the location owner knows what he is expecting before it is delivered. The locating company would charge you a fee for their services, so find one that will charge you a reasonable fee.

Before looking for locations, carry out some research on your own, on what type of locations are ideal for a snack and beverage vending machine like that that is provide by Planet Antares Inc. Visiting locations that already have these type of vending machines would provide you with some helpful tips. Locations that have high foot traffic or where people have to wait for 1-15 minutes would be ideal locations. These can be places like shopping malls, subways, bowling alleys, cafeterias, motels, companies with more than 50 employees, and lunchrooms. Finding the right kind of location will make your vending business very profitable.

How Do Small Vending Operators Flourish?

2007-02-06T22:37:00.000-08:00

Small vending operators can be categorized into three categories, namely start-ups, hobbyists and specialists.

Start-ups
If you are starting a Planet Antares vending business, you choose to make it a one person start-up business. This is a business that you will run form your home with the help of your family. Most established companies began their operations as start-ups. If you like the business, you can decide to grow because start-ups usually don’t intend to stay small. They want to expand as soon as they are able to. The critical moment for your start-up Planet Antares vending business will come when the business needs to hire someone from outside the family or when a truck needs to be purchased. This would be critical because you will not be able to do without them for the expansion of the business

Hobbyists
These are people who have full time jobs and decide to start a vending business on the side. They don’t run their vending business as their primary source of income. Planet Antares has a vending program that can show you how to control your time while still making a handsome profit.

Specialists
Specialists always identify a niche opportunity and target locations within the niche. Specialists have a profit goal and a plan for attaining it with a small client base. They believe that they can do it by over servicing their accounts with the personal attention that a larger operation cannot provide.

If you want to start a Planet Antares vending business, you can decide on how you want to start the business. With full line vending machines it is advisable that that you start the business with one or two vending machines. When you start the business on a small scale, you will slowly get to know the feel of the business. As you learn the business, you can come up with great ideas for expanding your business. If you start a large vending operation, your lack of experienced knowledge can cause you to make some mistakes that will set you back.

As a small vending operator, you will slowly get to learn about locations, products to offer and consumer behavior. These are fundamental factors that you will need to know about.

Selling Branded Products in your Vending Machine

2007-01-31T21:29:00.000-08:00

Brand always has a pulling power. This is something that we can never deny. Branded products are recognized faster, which makes their selling power higher than other products. Popularity of branded products is prevalent in the retail industry as well as the vending industry.

There are different kinds of vending businesses in the U.S. today, but the one that is popular with the public is the snack and beverage vending businesses. This is mainly due to our love for snacking. When you have a Planet Antares snack and beverage vending business, it will be necessary for you to place branded snacks and beverages in your vending machines. These are items that sell with no difficulty since they are easily recognized. Branded products are usually advertised nationally on a large scale, so there really is no need for you to promote the products for your vending business. Customers will buy the branded products from your Planet Antares vending machine because they are already familiar with the products and they know how the product tastes. They already trust in the branded name, since it is something that has national recognition.

Glass front vending machines like those by Planet Antares work well for branded products, because the products in the vending machines are visible. The aim of your vending business is to make as much profit as possible. The only way that you can do that is by placing the right products in the right machine and in the right location. When you have combined all these, there really is no way that you can go wrong. People would prefer to buy branded products from your vending machines since vending machines are known to be cheaper and faster than retail stores. When you are running a vending business, it doesn’t mean that you should only sell branded products. You can sell other products as well. The only difference is that you will need to promote these products in order for them to sell well. The best thing that you can do for your snack and beverage vending business is to keep both branded as well as non branded products in your vending machines. Branded products are usually more costly, but you can rely on them to make a good profit for your Planet Antares vending business.

If you want to vend health products from your vending machine, you should also make sure that you have branded health products as well. The conscious public wants a brand name that they can identify with when they are eating healthier.

The supplier that you use should be able to provide you with all the branded products that you require. Remember that the products that you sell, all depends on what the location wants. Just keep in mind that you have to stick to the branded products so that you can maximize your profits.

Packaging Challenges for Vending Machines

2007-01-28T23:54:00.000-08:00

When buy products from vending machines, they usually want quick service. Access to the products in your Planet Antares vending machine has to come with comfort, convenience and ease to that person. When you think about what products will be ideal for your vending business, you have to think of quick indulgences. These are products that make a busy person’s life easier. Below are some packaging challenges that you would need to consider for your Planet Antares vending business:

• Make it cost-efficient. This should be the primary issue when thinking about vending packaging. If potential sales are estimated to be 5 percent or more of a product’s total, vending specific packaging becomes a viable option.
•Consider form and function. Confections and most beverages appear in vending machines in as much the same packaging as they do on the store shelf. However, many non-food products and non-traditional food products require vending specific packaging to maximize “appetite appeal” and protect against damage. Most products sold through vending machines need to be designed for a single use. This would not apply to the snacks and beverages sold in Planet Antares vending machines. The size of these items will almost always be the same whether in a retail store or vending machines.
•A third consideration is optimizing communications on the package’s facing panel. Consumers usually cannot handle the product prior to purchase. They can’t turn it to inspect the side or back panels, which may sit obstructed from view inside the vending machine. Key information that will drive the sale must be a clearly visible on the front panel. Consumers should be able to see it through glass from two to three feet away. The advantage that Planet Antares vending machines have is that they are glass front vending machines. This means that the products are visible while in the vending machine. This increases your chances of a sale, since attractive packaging always attracts customers.

In the vending environment, the package has to work both inside the machine and in the consumer’s possession. This of course is what will work in your vending business. There are a number of strategies that you can incorporate in your vending business to drive sales. Effective packaging is one thing that you can do to have a successful vending business.

Customer Service in Vending

2007-01-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

There is a need for vending operators to change their operating procedures because of the more competitive environment and the fact that the industry has moved beyond its maturity phase and is actually in a decline phase.

There are numerous ways of achieving excellence in your Planet Antares vending operation. One way of doing this is through leadership.

Your Planet Antares business should be about managing customers for loyalty and for profits. No one should ever confuse the concept of managing customers for loyalty with the concept of managing them for profits. The only way that you can strengthen the link between loyalty and profits is to manage both at the same time.

Eyeball to eyeball contact with customers is needed to build relationships. You need to understand that a vending business is a relationship business and that people will buy from people they like. This is why it is important that you build relationships with your customers.

In reality, the perception of quality and price/value relationships by the economic buyers of vending services is hugely influenced by personal relationships between the buyer group and the seller group.

There are different customer groups that you as an Planet Antares vending operator will need to be cognizant with. You will need to find out what motivates them and how you can meet that customer group’s specific needs.

Customer fatigue is becoming an issue, and the only cure for customer fatigue is for you to get to the point and provide that “perceived” value. It all starts by being a good listener. It’s not what you say to them, which is important; but it’s what they say to you. Always remember this in when you are dealing with your customer.

There are direct linkages between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction, customer retention and employee turnover.

The demise of any business is an insidious process, and it may seem that you are just having a streak of bad luck. This is something that you will need to check on, just incase it happens in your business. If it remains unchecked, it will rob you of not only capital, but will leave you emotionally drained. Just use the right approach when you are dealing with your customers and you will be able to achieve success.

Facts about the Vending Business

2007-01-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

A Planet Antares vending business is a great business. There are countless of people who have found success with the vending business. Vending machines are often seen as money making machines, once they are placed in a location, they immediately start making money for you. All that you have to do is service them on a frequent basis.

If you have a regular job and are still interested in starting a vending business, then you can still go ahead and do that because the vending business can be a part time or a full time business. It all just depends on you and what you want. The Planet Antares vending business will give you the opportunity to control the time. When you are your own boss, you can work your own hours, which means that you can schedule your life around your working hours.

The vending business is the largest money making business in the world. Every minute $64, 000 is spent in vending machines in the U.S. there are no problems with cash collections, credit risks, bad checks and account receivables. Vending machines make money for you even when you are asleep!

Vending is a business that can be family oriented. Since it a home based business, members of your family can help you run the business. When you are not able to service your Planet Antares vending machines, a family member can run the vending route for you. If you have more than one location to attend to, this is where family members can help you as well.

Vending machines products are always advertised and available. For example snacks and beverages from companies like Coke, Pepsi and Lays are always being advertised, so you won’t need to worry about whether they will sell well or not. Place these kinds of products in your Planet Antares vending machines and you have will have no trouble selling them.

There is no training required to run a vending business. Anybody can operate a vending business, once they are equipped with the necessary information. The machines will do the selling for you; there is no need for any personnel to sell the products.

This is a business that you start with one or two vending machines and then slowly expand when the profits start coming in. it would be more profitable for you to purchase less expensive vending machines like those provided by Planet Antares so that you can have several locations for a more secure income.

How to Make Money from Vending Locations

2007-01-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Vending is a very competitive market, which means that you always need to find ways that will keep you on top. The success of a vending machine is mainly due to the location. The location that you choose will have a significant effect on the profits that are too be made.

The vending business is an all cash business, and you stand to make a lot of money if you get the right kind of support and guidance. Planet Antares Inc. has assisted a large number of vending operators establish a successful vending business. This is a kind of company that you should use to start off your business. With their guidance and a good location, vending will become a great way for you to make money.

Importance of a vending location
If you pick out a wrong location for your vending machines, you will never get any sales from that location. Looking for areas with a lot of foot traffic is a basic marketing strategy. This is something that you should do for your Planet Antares vending machines, because they sell snacks and beverages. These types of products do very well in such locations. The competition for good locations is quite considerable and at the same time there are locations out there that do not have any vending machines. All you need to do is just look for the perfect location so that you don’t suffer any loses.

When you have chosen a location, you need to decide on how the business owner will be paid for the location. It all just depends on your negotiating skills. You can both decide that a percentage of the profits will go the business owner or you can decide on a fixed rent to be paid. All in all, choose an option where you will still get make a significant profit. To optimize your revenue, place your vending machines near entrances and exits, or next to other vending machines. The Planet Antares Inc vending machine will have no trouble standing out from other vending machines. This is the reason why it is imperative that you buy attractive vending machines.

Areas where vending machines work well
Company cafeterias – a majority of companies save money by reducing the staff and food availability in their in-house cafeterias. Vending machines have become the clear replacements.
Leisure sites – today you can find vending machines in gyms, swimming pool areas and other leisure outlets. Planet Antares vending machines can offer snacks, energy drinks and water in such locations. There will always be a high demand for such items.

The right vending machine at the right location will always bring in a lot of profit for your business. Vending is a great money making business, so always choose your locations wisely.

Starting a Vending Business

2006-12-29T07:42:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking of starting a business, a vending business would be a good place to start. Planet Antares can offer you this opportunity where you can earn huge amounts of money. The start up investment is very low, so that means that you can expand the business at your own pace.

When you are looking for vending machines to buy, you need to know what you would like to vend. Planet Antares vending machines sell all types of snacks and beverages. These products are always in demand in most of the locations. This is reason why these vending machines are the ideal machines to get you started. Choose the products that you want to sell wisely. Carry out some research on which products are popular at certain locations. The popularity of products differs from location to location. Kids are always a great help when it comes to knowing which the products that are a hit are. Make a point of questioning your kids or other kids on which products they think you should place in your vending machines. The information that they can provide can prove to be vital for the successful start of your business.

Once you know which products you want to place in your Planet Antares vending machines, you can then go ahead and find the perfect location. If you don’t have the time to do it by yourself, you can use the services of a locator. You can just check out the location they have picked before making a final decision. Looking for the location on your own is something that is always advised because you know what you want and you want your business to succeed. This means that after some research you can easily look for the best location for your vending machines.

If you are able to secure a large size accounts that have a high number of employees, it means that you will generate bigger profits from that particular location. Big machines combined with big locations always make the best profits. Planet Antares vending machines are big vending machines that are suitable for high population locations.

Finding high volume accounts and purchasing the right vending equipment are two of the most important decisions that you will make in this business. Finding the perfect location will determine the revenue that your machines will produce. Make sure that there are at least 50 employees at a business location before you decide to choose the location. This will make a difference in your business.

2006-11-04T04:05:00.000-08:00

Customer Service in Vending

In vending, the culture has to be about managing customers for loyalty and for profits, at the same time. You shouldn’t confuse the concept of managing customers for loyalty with the concept of managing them for profit. The only way to strengthen the link between loyalty and profits is to manage both at the same time.

Eyeball to eyeball contact with customers, at all levels, is needed to build relationships in your Antares vending business. People buy from people they like, and people can be very fickle.

Customer loyalty is nebulous

Most of the common wisdom about customer loyalty is bunk. Among the weakest measurements used by companies are measurements for customer loyalty. Satisfaction surveys and fancy customer relationship management software enables companies to disappoint their customers faster and more efficiently. High levels of customer satisfaction are often contradicted by falling per-capita sales. Data can be skewed when survey questions are asked of only the location management and not the end consumer. This can also happen if the right questions are no asked.

When questions are asked by any provider about price, quality, service and variety, it creates an expectation on the part of the respondent that better things are on the way. When you want to conduct a survey in your Antares Corporation vending business, make sure you have a complete plan and that you carry it out fully. If you are not willing to address all the perceived issues that may be surfaced, then don’t even start.

Customer fatigue: can u measure it?

This is becoming an issue because the customers are sick and tired of all the cuddling and patronizing. The only cure for customer fatigue is to get to the point and provide that “perceived” value, as elusive or as distasteful as it may be. It all starts with being a good listener.

Compensation plays a big role

In your Antares vending business there are direct linkages between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction, customer retention and employee turnover. The importance of these relationships should be reflected in rewards and incentives.

The right compensation formula

The Antares vending operator who offers the best compensation package will have most of the good accounts. This has been the case for vending operators in most communities. It could be that an additional investment in your people would be a more beneficial use of capital than other expenditures.

2006-11-01T04:26:00.000-08:00

Government Contracts in Vending

According to vending industry sources, approximately 22 percent of all sales in the vending industry come from government contracts, the majority of which come from primary schools, colleges and correctional facilities. In an estimated $24 billion industry, that is a $5 billion opportunity. Industry sources indicate that despite the figures only a minority of operators actively pursue this business.

Many vending operators shy away from bidding on government contracts because they assume that they are impossible to win, expensive to prepare, time intensive, and that the incumbents usually win. This also includes Antares vending operators. It is true that competing for government contracts is expensive, time consuming and heavily resource intensive. However, it is a myth that incumbents have a competitive advantage, especially in the vending industry. The fact is that it is not hard for a government entity to change a vending service provider if they think that they will get a better deal.

Structured competitions favored by the government can be very costly in both time and resources. No company can go after every opportunity, you need to be selective and go after the opportunities that best suit your Antares Corporation vending business.

There is a wide perception among Antares vending operators that government contracts are not worth the effort because the agencies are only interested in the highest commission, making these contracts unprofitable. This can be true in some cases, but it is something that is changing.

A good example would be schools, which are placing greater importance on nutritional requirements. Other public entities are following suit. There is growing opportunity for vending operators to focus on driving the need for better service and lower commissions. The vending industry has an opportunity to change the way these agencies view their service.

Regardless of whether the award is strictly commodity based or best value, there are some guidelines that will help an Antares Corp. vending operator gain a competitive advantage in bidding on government contracts.

2006-10-31T04:17:00.000-08:00

Using DEX to Enhance Daily Operations

Most Antares vending operators today are familiar with the tern ‘DEX’ and some are even using it to enhance their daily operations. Operators vary in their familiarity with DEX and what it can do for their operations. DEX is destined to play an important role in the industry’s future.

DEX stands for Data Exchange, and is generally used in the vending industry when referring to the DEX/UCS data exchange standard.

DEX as a term

In the vending world, DEX is the protocol that most machines built in the last 6 to 12 years utilize to electronically collect vending audit information. The term DEX refers to the audit data, a communications protocol and a retrieval method used to capture this data.

What a DEX cable looks like

It is identical to an old quarter inch stereo headphone cable that can plug into the female connector on a vending machine by Antares Corporation. Sometimes the female connector is mounted on the controller board of the machine or available via a loose cable wired to the board.

The data is typically transferred between machines and the host (handheld computer or remote retrieval system) using a standard RS -232 or serial protocol that computers have been using for over 20 years.

What you need to realize DEX benefits

To realize the benefits of DEX, there are three things that an Antares operator will need to do.

1) You need to have DEX-capable vending machines.

2) You need a method of electronically capturing the DEX data. The most common method today is via a driver handheld, but remote monitoring solutions are in the early adoption phase.

3) You need software capable of turning the data into actionable information that your business can use.

There are different levels of DEX support found in vending machines today.

There have machines that didn’t support DEX correctly, or that the software programs didn’t work well with DEX. Today that situation has been remedied. Any Antares machine that is DEX capable can be read, and even those built before DEX can be retrofitted to support DEX.

2006-10-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

Low-Carb Products

One of the challenges facing Antares vending operators is being on the cutting edge of trends. Operators faced this challenge in the ‘90s when low fat food seemed to be everywhere.

Market research has shown that 17 percent of U.S. households include someone on a low-carb diet. There is no denying that consumers are demanding low-carb options in vending. A large percentage of vending consumers are requesting low-carb products. This is a potential profit center that is desperately needed to help the industry out of a financial slump. Introducing low-carb products in your vending operation by Antares Corporation would be profitable for you.

Are the manufacturers responding?

The fact that millions of Americans are devoted to carb counting, has offered an opportunity for Antares operators. The majority of operators feel that the vending manufacturers were doing a fair job at providing low-carb products.

Any operator who does not feature at least a few low-carb items will end up missing out on sales as well as neglecting their obligation to supply their customers with items they want. For many people, that mid morning or mid afternoon snack from the vending machine is important to their success on their diet. This of course is if they find selections that will help them stay on track. There are many options in the vending machines that have always been low-carb, like nuts. Antares vending operators are now seeing a sales increase with these products. This of course can be partially due to the low-carb issue.

Convenience remains key in vending

Vending machines are playing a bigger role in today’s rushed lifestyles. Hence, there is an opportunity to meet consumers’ needs. The industry needs to emphasize this benefit, because vending is in a perfect position to meet consumer needs.

Low-carb products have set a new benchmark among health conscious consumers. Health experts may disagree on its merits, but interest continues to grow as the American people become more health conscious. All in all, vending operators are divided on how long the demand will last, but most are realizing it cannot be ignored.

2006-10-25T01:51:00.000-07:00

Vending Business Valuation

The vending industry has struggled in recent years through tough economic times. It is hard to find any Antares operator, distributor or supplier who has not been challenged to maintain the financial integrity of their organization over the past years.

The difficult business environment has forced some operators to sell their business to escape from poor financial performance. These operators can be hardworking individuals who expect their years of “sweat” equity to be worth a substantial percentage of their gross sales.

The need of a sound valuation method

When these operators want to sell their business, their expectations do not always match reality and the offers they receive is sometimes only a fraction of what they had expected. The difference in what the buyer is willing to pay and what the seller is willing to accept can be point of contention and frustration to both parties.

Antares vending operators need a practical and theoretically sound method that will help potential buyers realistically value a vending business. This can be a tool in the negotiated selling price for a business.

The earnings method

This method is the most widely used valuation theory.

Step one: gather information. The earnings method requires gathering pertinent financial information about your Antares vending business and making necessary assumptions in order to arrive at a reasonable value for the business.

Step two: make adjustments. This step requires you to make adjustments that normalize earnings. Normalizing earnings means to adjust the income statement to generally accepted accounting principles and industry standards. It also means eliminating unusual and non reoccurring items.

Step three: project cash flows. This step would require you to normalized earnings to net projected cash flows. To convert earnings to cash flows is to make adjustments for gains, losses and expenses that do not affect the cash flows of the operation.

Step four: capitalization rate. In the fourth step you will need to determine the capitalization rate. There are many ways to develop capitalization rates. There is one method that the average Antares vending operator can develop with some help from his or her accountant. This method is called the Build-Up Model. This formula assumes constant earnings. If earnings are expected to grow, a growth factor needs to be deducted from the expected return.

2006-10-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

How to Protect your Route Drivers from Crime

There is no foolproof system for protecting trucks and route drivers from robberies, vehicle break-ins and high jacking. However, you can take measures to reduce the chances of such occurrences and provide a reasonable amount of safety to the driver and the cargo. The drivers of your Antares business need to be well protected while they are performing their duties.

A comprehensive security plan

A driver security plan includes a combination of tools, such as alarms, safes, door lock hardware, as well as procedures for communications and security awareness. Risk assessment involves examining all factors that could impact security of a particular route. A comprehensive security plan for your Antares vending business by Natural Choice USA should include the following measures:

· Assess the route and each stop for potential exposure.

· Vary delivery schedule and items to prevent a predictable pattern

· Make deliveries during the daylight hours.

· Limit the amount of cash and inventory being transported

· Provide the driver with communication tools.

It is important for Antares operators to recognize the importance of security training of route personnel. Oftentimes drivers do not fully recognize the risks they undertake in performing their jobs. Training is the only way to instill safety awareness practices.

Know the surroundings

An Antares vending route driver usually drives a truck that is visually identified as a service vehicle. The truck usually contains cash and merchandise. It is important for the driver to be cognizant and alert to what is around him.

Know the risks

Drivers usually start working on their routes early in the early morning, when there are few other motorists on the road. This makes the route trucks on the road easier for would-be thieves to spot. For this reason and other reasons as well, it is imperative that drivers exercise caution at all times and not allow concerns outside of the job to distract them. If the name on the sign of your vending route truck indicates that the truck is a vending truck then you can have the name on the sign changed so that it will not be marked as a vending truck by would-be thieves.

Security measures should not be limited to protecting only property like money, inventory and keys. Personal safety must always be the primary focus, albeit the two may be closely related.

2006-10-14T01:25:00.000-07:00

Competing Against Convenience Stores

C-stores are exploding the American landscape, not missing an opportunity to intercept customers wherever they travel; Antares vending operators can fight back by matching value and benefits.

Other vending operators are not a vendors’ competition. As an operator you would compete with them only a few times in a year. When doing so, it will be a short term thing, like when bidding for an account. The real competition comes from the c-stores. They are more focused on five big initiatives.

· speed of service, which translates into applying technology to cashless payment systems

· Better foodservice offerings to be more effective against their competition, the fast food restaurants.

· More attractive design and more functional layout to make it easier to sell more products and to bring in more customers.

Antares vendors can learn a lot from the c-stores. They just need to come up with an action plan. Here are some steps that you follow.

1) Learn to go faster. You must learn about the new developments in technology for cashless payment systems. Find a way to test the cashless system in one of your locations. Keep in mind that cashless might not be right for every location you serve.

2) Improve the ordering interface. Those big glass front windows take time to shop. If people at the front of the line take too long to decide, you stand a risk of losing the transactions of people who show up later. Post a menu close to the machine, so that the customers can shop before they are in front of the machines.

3) Do a better job of merchandising by looking for ways to simplify the shopping experience by speeding up the transactions. Make it easier for the customer to decide by organizing the way the products are arranged and displayed.

4) Get Antares vending machines into more places. Vending may be the most convenient retail venue, so you need to make it more convenient by adding supplemental machine placements at sites that you are already serving. This applies to sites with large populations.

We are in a new and different competitive environment. It does not matter how highly your customers ranked your service, value and responsiveness in the recent past. You are only as good as your last transaction. Increase the value of your vending business by Antares Corporation by following the steps mentioned above.

2006-10-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

Acquisitions Create Bigger Operators

Buy-outs and acquisitions have become a permanent part of the vending environment. Everyone pays attention to who is buying whom. An acquisition creates ripples in the vending industry that we all may not realize. It can have an impact on customers, competitors, product distributors, equipment distributors, manufacturers and other participants in the vending industry.

Who feels it first?

The most obvious and immediate impact of an acquisition would be on the operator’s customers. The customers have to be well taken care of, and this will all depend on who is acquiring them. If you want to acquire a vending business to your Antares vending operation, then the customers will need to be well taken care off.

Customers can feel neglected

Customers can feel that they no longer have the same level of attention when a new company is servicing them. An acquisition can have a negative effect on relations with some of the operator’s key accounts. To prevent customers from feeling like a pawn in a complicated chess game, many Antares operators handle their acquisitions with great care.

During the acquisition, you can visit each account with the previous owner. A lot of operators don’t do this, but it is important to maintain that relationship. For a successful acquisition for your Antares vending business, you can hire the previous owner to stay on for a while as a consultant. His job will be to simply maintain and smooth over the relationship with the account. This has proven to be a very effective way to transition key accounts from one company to another.

How consolidation affects suppliers

The consolidation of vending operators also has a direct impact on supplier businesses, including distributors and manufacturers. Impact on suppliers will ultimately affect Antares operators. A competitive supplier environment will mean more sources to shop.

From a supplier’s perspective, an operator acquisition does not eliminate business; it is just compacted into a tighter space. If company A’s sales are $1 million and company B’s sales are $2 million, combined they should total $3 million. Based on that line of thinking, their purchasing should be identical as well.

2006-10-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

Telemetry Offers a Solution in Vending

Over the past years, selling prices have increased, and if anything, the capacity of the typical vending machine has also increased. With such a situation in your Antares vending business, you should expect higher weekly sales per route employee, rather than lower sales.

Route Support Costs are the biggest costs on the P & L statement, after product costs. This can make profits to decline. When the route becomes less productive, profits suffer.

Route handling costs explode

Route productivity in your Antares vending operation can decline due to a number of reasons: 1) the size of the typical location is shrinking and 2) the number of SKUs (stock keeping units) offered is growing exponentially. The route driver must travel to more, smaller locations and stock a wider variety of merchandise in each machine that accurately reflects that particular location’s purchasing habits. Evidence shows that as an industry, we are failing to do this efficiently.

The route person can’t remember the brand preferences for each location when there are so many products involved. And with so many SKUs, the number of “sold-outs” must increase. More sold-outs require more frequent visits to each Antares machine. More visits to each machine will produce lower average collections per service.

Given all of the above as prologue, you need to ask yourself the reason why our industry has failed to embrace wireless transmission of data? This technology can solve the brand preference analysis and route productivity problems, and therefore improve profits, if the costs could be brought down.

Telemetry makes economic sense

A well designed computer system would help you run your Antares business by Antares Corporation more profitably. With wireless transmission of data, the value of the benefits easily exceeds the costs. This should be enough to make you to get on board. If you don’t get involved soon, you may be exposing your company to a needless level of economic risk. You may also find it very difficult to compete with your more enlightened competitors. You need to be more focused on the benefits for your vending business so that you can get a solution for any problems.

2006-10-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

Technology Helpful in Vending

The automatic merchandising industry has a bright future. Your Antares vending operation can prosper with the help of innovations such as new age beverages and DEX-capable handheld computers. Operators need to take advantage of the new technology.

Vendors need to be open to new concepts. They must be willing to view each account’s needs individually rather than using a cookie- cutter approach. Some accounts will subsidize services, as long as they have the financial information. The information is possible because of DEX data.

Profitability

The dollar coin payout can increase sales for your Antares business. This is great benefit to the vendor, because it would increase your profitability. The concept of planograms is a key element in the company’s merchandising and inventory control systems. As a result of this concept you can place the most sought-after products such as Snickers Bars on the left of the vending machine. This will force the customer to span the whole machine before making a selection because they will get to look at the full variety. As an operator, it is important that you understand the advantage of larger portion snacks. Some vendors prefer smaller bags because the margins are better. All this can increase your profitability.

Better cash auditing

If you are auditing your Antares machines’ sales by comparing manually recorded meter readings against cash collected, then you definitely need a better way to track sales. Implementing handheld computers in your operations will save you time and improve product selection.

DEX enables informed decisions

Product mix is also much easier to manage, thanks to line item tracking. You would be able to identify the slowest selling product in each Antares machine by simply reviewing the sales data. You can pull up the product list for every machine on the computer, and with a click of a mouse, replace it with a new item. The product mix in the machines should be uniform.

Item level data impresses accounts

The item level data goes over well with customers. Accounts eat up that information. Not all machines are DEX-enabled, and the drivers still have to manually key in some of the turns at the machine. In the future, we should expect all snack and cold drink vending machines to be DEX enabled.

2006-10-04T05:27:00.000-07:00

Structure of a Route Commission Program

A well conceived and well executed commission plan can provide many valuable benefits to an Antares vending operator. Operators need to approach a commission program cautiously and with realistic expectations.

One of the most important benefits that an Antares operator can expect from a route commission program is an attitude adjustment on the part of the employee. When the employee is paid a straight hourly rate, or a weekly salary, his attitude toward his employer is at best, mildly adversarial.

Human nature suggests that he would want to earn as much as possible doing the least amount of productive work possible. He can be instinctively suspicious of any management initiative that is designed to improve productivity because he knows it will require more work on his part, with no more pay.

What’s in it for him?

Under a commission system, the employee will willingly cooperate with and support management initiatives if he understands that he will participate in the benefits, financially. This will produce a much healthier environment for the Antares operator to restructure and reschedule routes, to set up dedicated product routes, to introduce category management or even to institute price increases.

An additional benefit of a route commission system is the fact that management can easily quantify the route labor cost when they bid new business.

Commission can bring unequal pay

Another problem Antares operators complain about is the fact that commission systems that are based upon a flat percentage, applied to total route sales, produce some inequities in driver compensation. This can be caused by the fact that certain product categories yield higher route sales than other products.

Vary commission rate by category

In a company that runs mixed routes, you will find that those routes that are overloaded with beverage machines will gross more dollars and therefore earn higher commissions than the routes that are overloaded with snack and candy machines. This can easily happen in your Antares vending business, since here you will be running a mixed route.

This problem can be cured by paying commission rates that vary by product category. In the example quoted above, the routes would balance out if the beverage commission was half of the snack and candy commission. Think carefully about the structure of any route commission program that you can decide to implement, since you’re going to have to live with it for a long time.

2006-09-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Brand Preference Analysis

Wireless transmission of data, if done cost-effectively, would enable the Antares operator to solve a whole host of problems that can occur. If every machine were equipped with an automatic transmitting device, dynamic scheduling would become a reality, and that means that you would know instantly when a machine was out of order. However, real time transmission of data is not necessary for Antares operators and suppliers to reap all of the benefits from recording and reporting brand preference analysis, by individual machine.

Sales data not needed in ‘real time’

Individual consumer brand preferences simply do not change very quickly. Brand preference data which is harvested from the machine by a handheld computer when the machine is being filled, and later downloaded into a host computer when the driver returns, is just as valuable as it would be transmitted in ‘real time.’

Brand analysis saves one trip

With this system, the driver will not have to make two trips to the machine. One trip would have been to check the inventory, and then the other would have been to go back to the truck to pick the order, and then return to the machine to fill it. You should be able to do brand analysis for your Antares business to save one trip for your driver.

Systems increase sales and profits

A remote data transmission system will increase sales in you Antares vending business. This of course would be based upon improving the product mix at each location. In addition each driver will now be able to service more machines. The operator should show lower operating costs based upon improved route productivity, and lower office costs, based upon no data entry costs.

Finally, there is another opportunity to improve profits. Although the primary goal in brand preference analysis by machine is to increase sales, there will be many situations where astute operators will notice a product that is only yielding one or two sales per week in a particular machine.

In such a case the operator usually has two choices. He can either substitute a different product, or he can choose to add another column of the best selling product in the machine with the hope that he can extend the interval between services for another day or two.

2006-09-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

The Economics of Note Acceptors

When you have a note acceptor in your Antares vending machines, it would take little or no time driving, buying stock or filling the vending machines. If you are already at the site, then taking out the bank notes is of little effort. If sales increase then your profits will also increase with little or no increase in time. All this means that your return on time will immediately improve by adding a note acceptor.

If you are aiming to return 50% of your investment per year then here’s the math on a note acceptor:

cost of note acceptor: $600 (average)
required sales increase per week: $12
50% required annual return: $300

If a note acceptor can improve sales for your Antares business by a number of certain dollars per week, then that means that it is a great investment. In fact spending $6000 on 10 note accepters for existing Antares vending machines might be a better investment than spending $6000 on a new vending machine. Hopefully your sales will increase by $6000 per year at your existing locations.

So the final question….will sales increase by $12 per week. Any site of your Antares business that is doing over $120 per week deserves a note acceptor. If you can get $12 (or 10%) more sales then that means that you are doing great, any more than that is pure profit. It is possible to have sites that are doing $200 per week where $150 is in notes.

All this goes to show you that a note acceptor might be the carrot that gets you a location over the competition.

Antares vending machines come with a bill changer mounted on the side. After you have reviewed the economics of a note acceptor, then you can decide whether a note acceptor would be more profitable for your vending business. There are a number of operators who have note acceptors and have stated that they always receive notes at their locations.

These note acceptors are cleaned using cleaning cards. These cleaning cards are a key component in preventative maintenance. Reader failures and errors are linked to poor maintenance, as contaminants damage reader heads. After several hours of use, reader heads begin to accumulate heavy dirt. Thus cleaning of the note acceptors is very important.

2006-09-25T02:50:00.000-07:00

Planograms Need Not Limit Variety

Merchandising discipline improves overall sales performance, and brands simply sell better. There is merit in finding a process that manages the content of the Antares vending machine to achieve greater profitability and limits the choices available to the consumer an a way that will benefit the manufacturer, operator and consumer alike.

Standardization’s downside: less variety

The problem with standardized menus is that they limit variety. Some of the research that has been presented in our industry that is designed to promote a better representation of the better selling items has this unfortunate side effect. An Antares vending machine that has mostly the same items in it everyday will not continue to perform as a high level, month after month, even if they are great brands and fast sellers. Research has shown that if there is no change of variety of products in the Antares vending machine, volume will fall. New products are life blood to vending and without it the consumer becomes bored.

Top sellers don’t always make the proposed menus

Slow moving items have no place in your Antares vending machines, thus it is important that you pay attention to what sells. But as every vending operator knows, changing products in the machine is smart. It stimulates impulse purchases and it can increase traffic at the machine. At the same time it allows you to take advantage of specials and promotions and it can help you identify strong sellers.

Product manufacturers should consider making fewer items available to the trade at any one time. This can be accomplished by cycling products through the channel. It would reduce inventory requirements and, as a result, remove cost from the system. It would create scarcity, and thus demand, for certain products which could then be leveraged when a product is reintroduced, and it would force the market to embrace change as a merchandising strategy.

Operators must insist on a plan

Antares operators should establish a merchandising plan that they can live with. They should also leave a certain number of slots open for the route people to choose. Then after the first month, they should change out the slowest five planogram items. The same should be done each month for a year. Some items can be brought back. By doing this, you would have created a system that replicates the merchandising processes that some of the larger product manufacturers have created and promoted, relative to machine planning, but it will be unique to your market place. At the end of the year, compare your average revenue per machine to that of the previous year. There should be an improvement.

2006-09-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

New Strategies Sought for Raising Prices

There are some operators that are not questioning the need to raise prices. Given the recent fuel costs, you will need to find a new strategy for raising prices in your Antares vending operations. People have different methods of raising prices. For some it is easier to raise prices in smaller increments on a frequent basis than the more common method of taking a big jump less frequently. Others would prefer it the other way round.

Long term technology offers solutions

Many Antares operators are aware that technology offers new ways to save fuel, but these are long term and not short term solutions. Technology requires an upfront investment.

One technology that operators have added is satellite-based fleet monitoring, known as Global Positioning Systems (GPS). More and more operators are using these systems to improve operating efficiencies and employee accountability. These systems save fuel in three distinct ways: 1) they allow the Antares operator to know if unauthorized vehicle use is occurring; 2) they make it easier to determine more efficient routing; and 3) they allow managers to monitor the speed of the drivers.

Alternative fuels reduce costs

Conversion to alternative fuels is another long term solution. Today, propane is less expensive than either diesel or gasoline. This is just one fuel option that you can use in your Antares operations so that you can cut down on the amount of money you spend on fuel. A gallon of propane gas costs less than half the price of gasoline. There are about 500 depots located all across the country. Operators need to consider performance differences when looking at alternative fuels.

Fuel saving tips for route drivers

1) Keep tires properly inflated because under inflated tires can decrease fuel economy.

2) Drive at a steady pace. Unnecessary speed-ups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy.

3) Perform maintenance checks according to schedule.

4) Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn the engine off when you are delayed for more then a couple of minutes.

In the short term, Antares vending operators have no choice but to consider raising prices and reducing commissions. The government is not forecasting any significant relief at the gas pump.

2006-09-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Extra Large Firms Gain Share

The worst part of the 2001 recession appears to be over, but Antares operators continue to face a challenging economic environment. The industry’s traditional industrial customers continue to minimize payroll through better management, automation and outsourcing.

Vending operators also faced higher costs for fuel, employee health benefits, petroleum based products and paper goods.

During the recession, the extra large operators increased their share of vending industry sales. Extra large operators expanded into smaller work sites more aggressively when the recession began to compensate for downsizing in larger accounts. In 2004, these extra large operators increased their total market share at the expense of other operators.

The larger operators had the advantage of being able to invest more resources in new equipment, training, marketing and technology. Technology has proven to be a particularly important advantage when it allows operators to deliver good customer service at less cost

State of the art tools such as DEX handhelds will allow an Antares operator to account faster and more accurately for cash. These handhelds will also give an operator more control over what products are placed in the Antares vending machine. They will also get to know what is selling and what isn’t. In addition to this it allows for route vehicles to be preloaded in the warehouse based on prior sales which results in faster filling of Antares machines at less cost.

Greater financial resources also allowed the larger Antares operators to capitalize on more product categories, thus enabling them to maximize their return on overhead.

Weak sales growth snagged investment not only in cashless systems, but also in other technologies designed to improve the vending industry’s ability to compete against retail channels. There has been little change in the number of operators using handheld computers.

This software will allow the operator to keep a track on all the sales, thus catering to their customers more efficiently. This is important as customer preferences have become more diverse.

2006-09-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

Eliminating ‘Exact Change’ Situations

New currency payment systems have more features to eliminate ‘exact change only’ situations. Some even recycle bills and allow multi vending.

As currency handling technology evolves, Antares vending operators are finding new tools to offer customers more convenient payment options. Antares operators are finding that giving consumers the ability to use whatever change they have on them increases sales.

Technology is enhancing the versatility, reliability and durability of bill acceptors and changers. These benefits will reduce consumer price resistance and at the same time allow for a wider variety of price points in the Antares machines. This is particularly important in machines that carry more product variety.

Dollar coin payout expands

A recent survey found that most bill acceptors accept denominations over one dollar and most pay out dollar coins as change. A five dollar bill acceptance is a customer convenience that definitely helps sales. Many consumers are not used to putting 5 dollar bills in vending machines, but they are prone to do so in a newer machine, like the new Antares vending machines.

Five dollar bills increase sorting

Five dollar bill acceptance in Antares vending machines creates the need to sort 1s and 5s. But this can be easily overcome with a dual pocket sorter.

Consumers just need to get into the habit of carrying dollar coins in their pockets. Antares operators nonetheless have found it worth their while to offer dollar coin payment to support higher denomination bill acceptance. This has created a need to continually replenish coin changers with dollar coins. There is also a corresponding benefit, in that; the coins that are carried back to the bank are significantly less.

The 5 tube MEI cash flow Series 7000 automatically manages coin levels in the changer to optimize payouts. A feature known as “auto-par” determines the best amount of change for a location. This is defined as the least number of coins in the change tube that still prevents “exact change needed” situations.

The changer’s software automatically reviews sales activity for the last three weeks. The tubes are automatically replenished as necessary. This will keep the Antares consumers happy and the location happy as well.

2006-09-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

Small location Vending

Technology in vending can create new efficiencies, but it also adds cost. It can bring new efficiencies to Antares operations. One aspect of vending where this would be particularly beneficial would be in small locations, which have never been profitable for the majority of operators. No one can say for sure whether technology can make small location vending a profitable business.

An underserved market

The innovations are new and small locations remain a largely underserved market. Work sites with 10 to 50 people remain the honor for full line vending operators with limited overhead.

Although there have been signs of job growth in certain geographic area, the automatic merchandising industry continues to suffer the fallout that struck at the start of the millennium. Despite this fallout, a number of Antares operators have been successful in their vending operations, due to the Natural Choice vending program.

Longer payback and other options

Some full line operators have been able to sustain small locations by tolerating a longer payback period.

If there is a location with 20 to 25 people with about 80 full size combination machines, that means that half of them would receive no subsidies and would have a 2 to 3 year payback period.

If you want to have a small Antares operation then you should serve the small site with combination units. Combo machines are best suited for small locations. In addition to this, it is important that you should never compromise on the customer relations because this is what small locations are most in need of.

Full line Antares operators have always had a use for smaller location equipment in satellite locations-work areas that are separate from the main break room that need vending. While the main break rooms are serviced daily, the satellite location can be serviced two or three times a week.

The various new small locations options are drawing attention, because of the benefits that come along with this type of vending. As an Antares operator, you can decide to run a small location operation and then watch the profits coming in.

2006-09-07T05:09:00.000-07:00

Snacking Evolves to Main Meal Status

Changing lifestyles and more diverse consumer tastes give Antares vendors a chance to attract a wider audience for salty snacks.

With more people eating on the run these days, a bag of chips or snack mix from an Antares vending machine often serves as the mid day meal. Hence more dynamic flavors are playing a bigger role in salty snacks, and snack manufactures are working hard to come up with new and exciting flavors.

Aging baby boomers are also adopting healthier lifestyles and want to include salty snacks in this lifestyle choice. Consumers want a healthier snack choice but still demand full flavor and good value for their money.

Antares operators have noted that the traditional “grab ‘n go” snack food is now standing in for a meal. This explains the growth in intense, bold flavors.

Customers demand a product that they can munch on when in the car or maybe when walking from place to another. As a result of this trend, consumers have become less concerned with fat free snacks and more concerned with convenience.

Ethnic tastes expand

Hot and tangy flavors are also spicing up the salty snack mix. Traditionally, tortilla chips have relied on salsa or dips to spice them up, but manufacturers are now looking at putting the zip right on the snack. Flavors such as lime, black bean and red pepper have been added to tortilla chips.

These hot and spicy flavors are popular, largely on account of ethnic tastes. Antares vending operators have taken notice of this and have placed hot and spicy flavored snacks in their vending machines. These flavors have not only appealed to the ethnic community, but to the public in general. The demand for these snacks has grown since their introduction.

Since people are always in a hurry, they hardly get time to sit down and have a meal. These people come across vending machines, and purchase snacks, that will have to count as a meal. These snacks are convenient because they can be taken when on the move.

This of course has proven to be very profitable to the Antares vending operators, because snacks are always in demand. America is a snacking country and that is one thing that will not change any time soon.

2006-09-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

About the Vended Product

For a vend product to be successful in your Antares vending business, there are a number of factors that need be put under consideration. These factors can affect the sale of your product. Here are some of those factors:

How does it taste

The quality and taste and taste of a product are very important to a customer. These factors even outweigh price among the essential criteria for sales success in your Antares business. If the product tastes good then of course it will be popular with the customers.

Does it make money?

Finally, both operators and distributors make no bones about the Antares operator’s need to achieve a sufficient margin. Without this qualification, the other product attributes will not be enough to gain an opening in the vending channel. Vending is ideal for testing new products and for new product introduction in well controlled and positioned segments. The relationship between price and quality is a closely related issue. At the end of the day what matters about a product in your Antares vending machine, is whether it is making money for your business.

Merchandising matters

You need to know how to promote a new product in your Antares vending business. This can lead to augmented vending sales. Offering new products to the consumer is important and it is also necessary that route personnel be familiarized with new items.

You can use planogramming to get new products into all your Antares vending machines. All in all, whenever there is a new product, make sure that the product is well promoted. In addition to this, make sure that the product name is clearly visible in the Antares glass front vending machine.

Discounts draw interest

Some operators practice couponing and cents off for special promotions and also strongly believe in sampling to get customers to try new products. Offering discounts to the customer, for new products, is a great way of promoting the product, because it will draw the interest of the customer.

How fresh is it?

Whatever products you keep in the Antares vending machines, make sure that they do not exceed their shelf life. You would not want a customer buying a product that has expired, from your vending machine.

2006-09-02T04:19:00.000-07:00

A View of Vending

The vending industry hasn’t done a good job at marketing themselves. This is an area that still needs improvement. Convenience stores at one time had to overcome a stereotype as an overpriced outlet to one that offers great convenience and a way for customers to save time. These are just some of the similarities between c-stores and vending.

The shopper no longer price shops between a supermarket and a c-store because they understand that c-stores are selling a convenience. The vending industry can change consumer perception as well. Large Antares vending operations should have an entire division dedicated to marketing.

Customers need to be educated about the service the vending industry provides fro them. The whole industry has to be promoted. If the public is educated about the service that Antares vending operators as well as other operators is providing, then they would be more willing to pay for it. If Antares operators as well as other operators compete strictly based on the vend price, then the vending industry will not be able move forward.

Category management is a system that simplifies selection as the route and warehouse levels and enables the Antares operator to control the machine menu. To do this, the Antares operator must have a way to track individual product sales accurately. You can start off by investing in handheld computers.

Vending and c-stores are both retail outlets with limited selling space. In both, a product is being sold, but more importantly, a convenience. The vending industry has very limited space and you as an Antares operator will need to treat it like gold.

With handheld computers, you can easily track product movement in your Antares business, and therefore be able to build successful planograms. At the same time category management is becoming more crucial in the vending industry. As a result the manufacturers are paying more attention to the industry. All these technologies that have been mentioned can be implemented in your Antares vending business. By doing that, you can be well on your way to a more profitable business.