Vending machines dispensing tools - check the benefits of vending machines in your company!

Vending machines dispensing tools to employees - how does it work?

Our automatic tool dispensing system ASD Systems consists of a vending machine and software that can be integrated with your company's ERP system. The individual models of vending machines differ in size, the number of available cells for products and the possibilities of their configuration. However, they all work on the same principle.

The employee can use the machine at any time of the day or night, whenever he needs a tool or equipment necessary to perform the work. He selects the appropriate product on an intuitive display with buttons, presents the company card and collects the tool . The automatic machine with tools can be expanded with additional functions, taking into account e.g. cost centers in the product release process. In this case, before downloading the product, the machine will "ask" the employee about the specific cost center to which he wants to download the product. 

If the user has selected an unnecessary tool by mistake, they can return it to the machine immediately. The employee can also (from the vending machine level) notify the warehouse manager about the quality of a specific product, and thus has a real influence on the choice of tools that he uses in his daily work.

What is an "intelligent tool shop"?

The ASD Systems vending machine dedicated to issuing tools for employees can be expanded with additional functionalities. The machine in the developer version (open to changes) will be equipped with a touch screen and the so-called intelligent tool shop (rental).

In this case, each of the tools placed in the machine can be assigned a label that will specify not only the limit of product downloads, but also the expiry date (use- by date ) of the tool and the degree of its usefulness . Thanks to the labels, the return of tools will also be easier. 

What information does the system manager have access to?

During this time, the system records the download of a specific product and sends the information to the server . Using any device with Internet access, an administration employee or a manager of a warehouse with tools can check the current level of filling the machine, the number of downloads of a given product and many other useful information that will improve the work.

The system administrator for issuing tools has constant access to data on distributed products, which are updated in real time. At any time, he can generate any report in the administration panel and filter the records according to a specific, relevant criterion at the moment. Data can also be exported to a spreadsheet or files that support specific accounting systems.

How can the administrator manage the number of tool downloads?

All employees of the company who need to have access to the tools can be assigned by the administrator to specific departments. Persons occupying specific positions, performing specific types of work, the system manager may grant access only to specific, necessary tools or groups of tools. Additionally, the administrator can define a fixed, maximum number of downloads of a given product by a given employee in a given period of time.

Information about individual employees and the tools they download will also be visible in the system administration panel.

What are the benefits of vending machines that deliver tools to production workers?

The automatic tool dispensing system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week . If an employee needs a specific tool, he will receive it within a few minutes at most. Such vending machines can be located in several places in the plant, for example at the entrances to individual production halls. Thanks to this, the employee does not waste time needed for work.

Does a vending machine replace a supplier?

In the classic, "manual" distribution system of tools or health and safety equipment, a person is required to manage the warehouse - distribute the necessary products to employees, record each assignment, organize the warehouse and inform the person responsible for orders about individual shortages. Depending on the size of the plant, it is a job for one or several jobs . Especially when the plant works around the clock, in various shifts.

It is easy to make mistakes and confusion in a classic tool magazine. Without a regular and solid inventory, there may be times when the necessary tools are simply not available. This, in turn, will prevent some of the work from being performed, thus causing downtime and production delays . Man is not a machine - in the event of illness, vacation or random situations, it may turn out that for a certain period of time it will be difficult to provide employees with the necessary tools.

The automatic tool dispensing system in the plant significantly reduces employment costs . People who spend them so far can take up other, more important work. One person is enough to manage the entire vending machine system throughout the plant.

How are vending machines with tools managed?

The manager of the automatic tool issuing system uses one administration panel. From this level, he has access to information from all vending machines located in the facility.

Admin can set a minimum value for all available products . Thanks to the constant access to information, it will monitor the load on the vending machines on an ongoing basis and will place an order for products that are already running out in due time. Topping up a vending machine is very simple. The products can be refilled in various ways - through the open door, through the flaps in the door or using the drum scanning system . The administrator can view the drum of each vending machine and quickly and easily locate cells for specific products. 

What are the benefits of a vending machine with tools for the entire company?

Employees of almost all departments in the company benefit from the availability of automatic dispensing machines. This solution improves the work of production workers, and thus ensures the continuity of the production process. It saves the time that employees can spend on work.

Cost reduction

In turn, the possibility of personalizing access to individual tools and setting download limits significantly reduces expenses on tools . Employees only use the products they need and use them for a specific, defined period of time. Employees also learn responsibility - they look after their tools, take care of their good condition and use them as intended. This significantly reduces the cost of the necessary equipment.

Simple procurement organization

The system manager has access to the necessary data that allows him to optimize the procurement process. The vending machines are right, thanks to which the company can conduct an informed and effective procurement policy . By assigning individual employees to specific cost centers, the administrator can easily send information about expenses to various departments of the company or cost centers . All data will be able to instantly reach individual departments - controlling, finance or accounting, and thus make settlements much easier. 

Order in the warehouse

Finally, the vending machines delivering tools to employees on the premises of the plant mean a much smaller warehouse space and a clean, orderly warehouse, to which only authorized persons have access.

Do you have any questions or would you like to know more about ASD Systems vending machines? Contact us!