September 1st, 2018
By Jeff Adair, Editor

Fast growth is a problem most business owners want to have, but Ryan Harrington, owner of Royal Vending in Portland, Ore., didn’t want to let it get the best of him. While the company was growing fast, Harrington wanted to make sure his existing customers continued to receive the same quality of service they were used to.

This year, Royal Vending, which was recently recognized as one of the country’s fastest growing private firms by the Inc. 5000, hired its first operations manager, Mike Levi.

Levi spearheaded the introduction of the LightSpeed Automation warehouse picking system, which has improved the efficiency of the company’s warehouse, ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of the company’s deliveries to its 375 vending machines and 75 micro markets.

An efficient warehouse picking system is crucial to a refreshment service company’s ability to serve its customers. As the company added more accounts, Harrington felt it was time for an automated warehouse picking system.

EyeLock LLC , a provider of iris-based identity authentication solutions, has integrated its embedded iris recognition technology into ViaTouch Media’s auto-retail solution called VICKI .

EyeLock's technology is embedded directly into the machine. The inclusion of EyeLock's is embedded technology gives consumers and businesses a fast, easy-to-use experience plus the confidence of knowing their transactions will be secure. The total solution is integrated and operable with  First Data's  online payment networks. 

"We are very pleased to be an integral part of the commercial launch of VICKI , the ground-breaking auto retail solution developed by ViaTouch,” said Jeff Carter, EyeLock’s CEO. “With a multitude of innovations included in this machine, the addition of EyeLock iris authentication technology creates an even greater separation between VICKI and current vending solutions. In particular, it provides a level of security significantly greater than fingerprint or facial recognition."

The 365 nanomarket
ShelfX , a provider of refrigerated merchandisers with credit card activated doors and automated inventory management, is seeking partners to test a new concept: a shipping container that unfolds into an unattended retail store.

“We are looking for companies interested in trying our new pop up store,” said Ran Margalit, CEO of ShelfX.

“The new air conditioned pop up store concept encapsulates six fridges, two freezers, and a coffee machine,” Margalit said. “Additionally, electrical sliding doors open with a swipe of a credit card or usage of our app. The container will include safety features like 24x7 cameras and outdoor lights to create a welcoming environment.”

Atlantic Coast Expo
Applestone Meat Company has made buying freshly cut meat more convenient with the introduction of Applestone meat machines.

The shops currently use carousel style machines that are retrofitted for meat vending. The machines have been a great tool to test the market and get feedback from customers. This model of refrigerated vending machine typically houses sandwiches or other prepared foods, so it is spacious enough to hold individually packaged cuts of meat. However, Applestone is working on a prototype for a custom machine that would be designed to their specifications and provide further convenience for customers.

Applestone offers fresh cuts of beef, lamb, pork and sausages as well as a variety of frozen options. All of the meat is sourced from animals raised without added hormones or antibiotics by farmers who are committed to their well-being.

2018 COFFEE, TEA AND WATER SHOW
Jeff Adair
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