Ive looked at a ton of software from so many vendors and its important to buy industry specific when it comes to vending due to no standards in machine dexing, but when it comes to route and DSD its not as important. Does anyone use and specific route software for coffee delivery and store delivery taht is cheap and reliable? I have intermec handhelds 700C and am looking to start using handhelds instead of paper tickets on my coffee and paper side. any sugestions on software companies are welcome.
6 replies to this topic
#2
kevin
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Posted 20 October 2007 - 07:45 AM
Ive looked at a ton of software from so many vendors and its important to buy industry specific when it comes to vending due to no standards in machine dexing, but when it comes to route and DSD its not as important. Does anyone use and specific route software for coffee delivery and store delivery taht is cheap and reliable? I have intermec handhelds 700C and am looking to start using handhelds instead of paper tickets on my coffee and paper side. any sugestions on software companies are welcome.
I forgot to mention that the company I have been looking at for awhile is Prism and they seem very promising, but we are going to be opening a store front and Im going to need a POS software as well that works with the backend of PRISM
#3
BVI
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Posted 20 October 2007 - 10:16 AM
I forgot to mention that the company I have been looking at for awhile is Prism and they seem very promising, but we are going to be opening a store front and Im going to need a POS software as well that works with the backend of PRISM
Why would you open a storefront? Isn't your storefront, technically, your machines?
#4
kevin
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Posted 20 October 2007 - 10:31 AM
Why would you open a storefront? Isn't your storefront, technically, your machines?
We already sell paper and coffee from our warehouse and I am going to have a warehouse built in 5 years to acomidate us better. Everyone has a differnt price on coffee and paper products. I also use to sell alot of snow cone and cossesion stuff but we stopped because the distributor sold out and the new one was to expensive. I dont believe you can run a profitable business with just vending.
#5
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Posted 20 October 2007 - 04:47 PM
I dont believe you can run a profitable business with just vending.
I know you can. Even with my huge debtload, my business is profitable. My problem right now is size. I need 2 more larger accounts before I will be far enough ahead of my expenses that I can pay myself something more significant. Profitable? Yes. Thriving? Yes, with 2 more decent accounts.
I have found that with vending, it's all about finding the right balance for each account:
1. the right number of machines and the right source of machines (3rd party or direct purchase). Too much machine = too much debt for the account.
2. the right amount of servicing (too little costs you sales, and maybe even the account while too much costs you time and extra fuel and maybe extra payroll).
3. the right mix of product and pricing (selling the right items profitably).
You get these right, and you will be profitable. But you have to be big enough with enough machines out there so that your profits add up to a nice paycheck.
#6
Eman
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Posted 22 October 2007 - 02:03 PM
I know you can. Even with my huge debtload, my business is profitable. My problem right now is size. I need 2 more larger accounts before I will be far enough ahead of my expenses that I can pay myself something more significant. Profitable? Yes. Thriving? Yes, with 2 more decent accounts.
I have found that with vending, it's all about finding the right balance for each account:
1. the right number of machines and the right source of machines (3rd party or direct purchase). Too much machine = too much debt for the account.
2. the right amount of servicing (too little costs you sales, and maybe even the account while too much costs you time and extra fuel and maybe extra payroll).
3. the right mix of product and pricing (selling the right items profitably).
You get these right, and you will be profitable. But you have to be big enough with enough machines out there so that your profits add up to a nice paycheck.
Very sage thoughts. I subscribe to same line of thinking with the caveat when describingthe vending businses that it is more of an inventory control and supply chain business them a sales business. Control the Inventory and Supply Chain and the sales take care of themselves
#7
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Posted 22 October 2007 - 03:45 PM
Very sage thoughts. I subscribe to same line of thinking with the caveat when describingthe vending businses that it is more of an inventory control and supply chain business them a sales business. Control the Inventory and Supply Chain and the sales take care of themselves
That is very true, assuming that the account is a good one. When you have everything in proper balance, you maximize the full potential of the account, meaning sales and profitability.
Of course, an equally perplexing challenge is attaining the proper balance of accounts, meaning, maxing out the number of accounts your company can service effectively. Too few accounts, and your sales will suffer. Too many, and your service may suffer.
Lastly, you have to have your debt under control.
Like I said, it's all about balance. Get it right and vending can be extremely profitable and rewarding.
