Industrial dispensing machines, also known as vending machines, are nowadays one of the pillars of modern warehouse management. If you have MRO dispensing machines in your plant, you can easily be prepared for your current operational needs. Why are MRO products so important on the factory floor? How should efficient and functional MRO dispensing machines work? We answer!

MRO dispensing machines - what items do they contain?

Products collectively known as MRO, or Maintenance, Repair and Operations, are used in manufacturing plants for so-called indirect demand. MRO articles include several categories of items:

  • consumables for maintenance and repair of plant equipment, machinery and systems - oils, lubricants,
  • spare parts - motors, gears,
  • protective equipment - masks, gloves,
  • cleaning supplies - brooms, buckets, cleaners, fluids,
  • office supplies - toners, paper, pens,
  • laboratory supplies - syringes, test tubes, beakers.

The above products are just examples. All of these contribute to the proper operation of a given plant, but are not directly used to make new products. MRO articles allow for the efficient repair and maintenance of all equipment, machinery and systems used in a plant.

The MRO assortment is standardized goods that meet the standards of the industry sector. MRO automatic dispensing machines are needed in a wide variety of industries, because every production hall needs to be maintained at the highest possible level.

MRO automatic dispensing machines - optimizing warehouse processes

Automated dispensing machines for OH&S and MRO can be included in one category - although they contain slightly different products, both types of vending machines are used to optimize warehouse processes. What does this mean in practice?

Automated dispensing machines for H&S and MRO items were developed as an answer to the problems of modern entrepreneurs, who often struggle with warehouse shortages and mistakes in record-keeping. These, in turn, lead to faulty ordering policies and, ultimately, to financial losses.

However, it turns out that by automating warehouse processes, many of the inconveniences can be naturally mitigated. In the case of MRO items, this is especially important, because without them no industrial plant will function smoothly. A simple lack of oil for one of the machines or a particular spare part can lead to a production stoppage. When such situations begin to recur, the plant records the aforementioned financial losses. Implementing MRO vending machines is therefore a profitable, long-term investment.

MRO vending machines instead of a traditional warehouse

There are different types of MRO vending machines on the market, but they all have the same goal - to optimize warehouse management. This is not a hype-sounding slogan, but real benefits for entrepreneurs and employees of industrial plants. On the surface, MRO dispensing machines resemble popular vending machines with drinks and snacks - today you can also find masks and hygiene products in them. Warehouse optimization, on the other hand, involves implementing vending machines with intermediate demand items (MRO) and health and safety.

Health and safety and MRO vending machines are an alternative to the traditional warehouse - they allow not only for the orderly storage of essential items, but also for controlling their status and flow, generating reports and many other functions that are not available in an "analog" warehouse. You don't have to take inventory by hand, there are no stock shortages or difficulties in accounting for MRO items.

Features of MRO dispensing machines

When buying an automatic dispensing machine, you should always pay attention to the range of functionality - this is an investment for years, which is expected to bring savings to the plant, so the choice must fall on a reputable product. We will describe the functions of MRO vending machines based on modern equipment from ASD Systems:

  • Chamber Configuration. MRO items are a very diverse category of items, which affects the construction of automatic storage machines. A spare part may need a much larger chamber than, for example, a cleaner. Fortunately, thanks to the chamber adjustment feature, industrial dispensing machines are suitable for storing items of different sizes. Adjusting the height and width of the chambers makes it possible to store even a very large number of MRO articles. The needs of the plant change over time, so it is worth choosing a machine that allows you to adjust the capacity of the vending machine each time according to current demand.
  • Collection control. Each person authorized to use the MRO machines is given a card or other token to identify themselves, so there are no unregistered downloads. If a user makes a mistake, he or she can return the item to the vending machine and cancel the download. Each person using the vending machine can have a product limit. If necessary, a barcode reader and an auxiliary machine without a user panel can also be connected to the machine.
  • Product availability control. Due to the impressive capacity of the machine, the number of MRO items in the vending machine is constantly monitored. The system can generate reports on its own, which will make it easier for entrepreneurs to plan their purchasing and accounting.
  • Easy loading. The MRO dispensing machine is a self-service machine, so product loading can also be optimized. There are three ways to do this - through an open door (for a large number of items), through flaps in the door, or on the principle of a rotating drum that scans the products loaded into the chambers.
  • Integrated application. Software for an industrial vending machine is a must. Quick login, clear interface, touchscreen and easy change of settings allow ongoing customization of the vending machine to meet the needs of the plant. In the application, we have such functions as product card, cost centers, inventory or user profiles - you can set how much and which H&S and MRO items individual employees can take.

FAQ:

What are MRO vending machines used for?

Vending machines in industrial plants are used to store and dispense to employees products necessary for their daily work. Health and safety and MRO items are thus available at their fingertips, and entrepreneurs have greater control over spending on consumables, spare parts and other items of intermediate need on the shop floor.

How does the MRO dispensing machine work?

The vending machine can be easily loaded, and its compartments are adjustable in size - so it is used to store items of different sizes. The entrepreneur is provided with an application integrated with the vending machine, where he can create profiles of the people in the plant and set limits on the products they take.

MRO dispensing machines - is it worth it?

Yes, because they allow you to optimize inventory management, which in turn translates into lower expenses for the entire company.

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