What types of dispensing machines are available in the logistics industry and what applications do they have?

Constant optimization of warehouse and supply management, strict control over the flow of products, materials and sensible reduction of their consumption is a recipe for lowering the costs of the company, and at the same time increasing the efficiency of work – such benefits are provided by automatic dispensing machines in the logistics industry. What are they for, how do they work, what are their types? About it in our article!

What are vending machines used for in the logistics industry?

Vending machines in the logistics industry are used to distribute products or materials of various types. Most often these are health and safety items, labels, tapes or films, basic tools and computer, office accessories. In a word – everything that is needed on a daily basis by employees, but generates costs in the company, which is worth keeping under control. The use of automatic dispensing machines eliminates the compulsion to organize traditional supply – relying on employees and their constant availability, as well as reliability in inventorying the warehouse and recording dispensing.

Dispensingmachines in the logistics industry are also used for storing and issuing keys to delivery trucks. Adapted to this type of task, the vending machine, together with software and an application, minimizes the steps involved in preparing drivers for work, but at the same time allows you to control the entire process and reduces the risk of mistakes.

What vending machines are used in logistics?

Drum vending machines are very popular in the logistics industry. Machines with a rotating drum make it possible to store many different types and sizes of products in a small area. From our offer, customers like to choose two models in particular:

• D1080 vending machine. It can hold as many as 1080 different products: its chambers can be easily and quickly adjusted to the dimensions of the items in question each time. It combines compact design and record capacity! We use an innovative drum scanning system in it, which makes loading fast and convenient. It is possible to connect a barcode reader and an auxiliary automatic machine without a user panel to the machine.
• Automatic D810. This type of machine is ideal as vending machines for health and safety and for dispensing supplies – this is ensured by personalizing the chamber size without changing the drum. Like the D810 models, they can also be expanded with additional units – in the form of a larger magazine. The PRO version of the software includes additional functions, such as cell labeling and determining the expiration date of the product.

How do the dispensing machines work and how are they managed?

From the point of view of the employee picking up the product, the matter is quick and simple – just approach the employee card, indicate the place where the cost is generated and the product, and pick it up a second later. The employee can also return the product: by himself, after authorization of an authorized person, or for a third party (depending on the needs and version of the software). The machines automatically record pick-ups and provide data. We equip them with an integrated distribution system IDS, proprietary specialized software – the ability to manage distribution through an application. How does it work?

All you need is any device with the Internet and a browser, and the system administrator has a constant, remote view of inventory and product availability information – provided in real time. For minimum values, he can set alerts to be notified when an item needs to be replenished.

In the IDS application, the manager creates accounts and employee profiles – giving them access to given products, the limit of their downloads at a given time or additional rights, such as the ability to authorize returns or downloads over the limit. He has access to thousands of data, which he conveniently filters and sorts. It automatically generates reports and practical summaries and sends them to stakeholders at the e-mail addresses provided. To make its work easier, it defines patterns for loading articles into a given machine.

What are the benefits of industrial automatic dispensing machines?

• Reduction of the risk of human errors and work stoppages. The machine does not make mistakes – the records are error-free and there is no need for frequent manual inventory of the warehouse. And then there is the constant insight into the inventory. This reduces the risk of product and material shortages, i.e. work stoppages. Supply clerks are not needed on every shift.
• Reduce the warehouse versus its record capacity. The ability to load more than a thousand different products into a single machine makes the equipment of a large room fit in a corridor or at the entrance to the hall. The traditional warehouse space can be used for other purposes – or put out of use, saving on its lighting and heating.
• Increased efficiency of work in various departments of the company. On the one hand, it is a maximum simplification of product releases, and on the other hand, it significantly facilitates the company’s billing and optimization of warehouse management. Automatically generated reports and statements, also for specific cost centers, increase the efficiency of work of such departments as purchasing or controlling.
• Decrease in product consumption by up to 50% – that is, savings. By giving employees access to only the products they need and limits on their withdrawals, there is no risk of unauthorized releases and misappropriation of company property, and therefore company losses. Employees use materials and articles more prudently and responsibly. The company’s fixed costs are reduced.

At ASD Systems, we strictly adapt our solutions to the specifics and needs of the company – we will be happy to tell you more about them already in the context of your business, expectations and ideas. Feel free to contact us!

FAQ:

• What are industrial dispensing machines?

These are vending machines used like “smart”, automatic warehouses to distribute products to employees such as health and safety items, MRO supplies, parts, office accessories, tools or equipment. They are not vending machines, but serve internal company purposes.

• What is the application of vending machines in logistics?

In the logistics industry, vending machines are mainly used to dispense materials, tools, equipment and health and safety items to employees. The machines are also used to store and dispense keys for delivery vehicles.

• Where to buy a vending machine for your company?

We invite you to take advantage of the offer of the Polish company ASD Systems – we adapt the machines and their software to the specifics and needs of the customer, implement solutions in companies and integrate them with the company’s IT systems, and at each stage of the vending machine’s operation we provide technical and service care.