Did you know that in the IDS system you can set withdrawal limits for employees?

Limiting is a solution that significantly reduces excessive material consumption, allows for better budgeting, and eliminates the issue of “stockpiling.” With limits in place, you can be sure that each employee only takes what they actually need – resulting in real savings for your company!

How does limiting work in IDS?

The User Profiles module allows you to create individual profiles for employees, where you can define quantity and time-based limits for the dispensing of products or entire product groups from the machines operating in your company.

How to set limits in IDS?

The process has been designed to be intuitive and tailored to the needs of manufacturing and service-oriented companies. You simply create a user profile and assign it quantity and time-based limits.

Examples:

• An employee can take a maximum of 2 pairs of protective gloves per week.
• The maintenance department has access to a set number of batteries per month.
• CNC operators can withdraw a specific type of tool only once per day.

The system automatically blocks product dispensing if an employee exceeds their limit. No manual oversight is needed – everything is automated and transparent.

Limit use cases

Limits can be defined over various timeframes – from daily to weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. The system monitors compliance independently, ensuring employees cannot take more than what they’ve been assigned, and warehouse staff don’t need to manually enforce control.

Examples:

• PPE: An employee cannot withdraw a third pair of gloves in a week if already assigned two.
• Consumables: The maintenance department’s access to batteries and flashlights is limited, preventing hoarding.
• Tools: An operator must return a tool before withdrawing another, as the system prevents simultaneous pickup of identical tools.

Business benefits of limiting

The limiting feature leads to measurable savings and better work organization:

• Reduces material usage by up to several dozen percent
• Automates control without involving warehouse staff
• Eliminates risk of misuse or hoarding
• Improves purchasing planning and ensures supply continuity

Why implement limits in your company?

One key element of the limiting module is authorization beyond the limit. This means that if an employee reaches their maximum allocation and tries to take more, the system prompts for supervisor approval. The authorized person confirms the override (e.g., with an RFID card), allowing the employee to proceed – keeping the process fully controlled.

Another major benefit is flexible configuration. Limits can be set for individual products, product groups, specific roles, departments, or employees. You can also define custom timeframes – from daily to yearly. It’s even possible to block further withdrawals until a previous item is returned.

Implementing limits directly translates into savings – companies report up to 50% reduction in material usage. It also improves safety and compliance with HSE procedures.

Limiting is not just a technical safeguard – it’s a process optimization tool. With it:

• Employees withdraw only what they truly need
• Abuses are significantly reduced
• Purchasing teams see clear usage statistics and can budget more effectively
• Production managers gain confidence that materials are distributed according to internal procedures

Additionally, all data on limits and withdrawals is stored in IDS – enabling reporting, audit support, planning, and investment decision-making.

Limiting availability in both Basic and Pro versions

All IDS vending machines support the limiting feature, but not all companies take advantage of it. Yet, it’s one of the most effective cost-control tools, helping logistics and purchasing teams align stock levels with actual demand.

The limiting option is available in both Basic and Pro versions of the machines. If you have any questions about how to configure it in your environment, contact your technical advisor – they’ll help tailor the best solution for your company.