A complete guide for the choice of Automatic drink machine: all you need to know
Nowadays the automatic machines are continuously changing. The choice of the right vending machine is fundamental for the customer satisfaction and for your investment. Here below you can find the main guidelines that will allow you to do the right choice according to your needs.
Main types of automatic drink machines
There are some main categories of automatic vending machines:
Hot drink machines
They are the most common in offices and in public places. They supply coffee, cappuccino, tea, hot chocolate and other hot drinks.
They work as follows:
- The powder products are mixed with hot water
- The cup and of the stirrer are supplied
- The sugar is dosed according to the user’s request.
It is important to pay attention to the blend conservation and to the water heating system.
Cold drink machines
They supply drinks in cans or in bottles packed as cans or bricks. They must keep the products at the right conservation temperature. They are ideal for crowded places such as stations or gyms.
The table top machines are compact and they are ideal for small offices or for commercial shops with a limited space. They have a smaller product choice than the freestanding models that can supply more products and are better for crowded places.
Automatic machines for different needs
Every area has its own features that influence the choice of the automatic machine:
For offices and companies
- Quiet models that donot disturb the workenvironment
- Models with health options to improve the employees’ health
- Payment systems with company badges
For public places
- Strong and against vandalism automatic machines.
- Models with a wide range of products to satisfy the different customers’ requests
- Contactless payment devices to grant swift payment transactions
For schools and universities
- Machines with healthy and a low-calorie intake
- Machines in compliance with the school rules for the automatic machines
- Machines with payment app devices to facilitate the parents’ control.
Health care centres
- Machines with high standards of hygiene and automatic cleaning systems
- Machines with no sugar and decaffeinate options
- Machines that can communicate with the hospital payment circuits and systems.
Technological improvements in automatic machines
Thanks to the technological innovation the automatic machines are continuously developing.
Here below there are some of the most interesting trends:
Touch Screen interfaces
Interactive displays for a more intuitive and personalised use.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Machines that are network connected to have a remote control of the consumptions, an analysis of the data and alarms and to prevent future errors. As we have explained in our previous articles, Flymax has already developed a telemetry system.
Environmental sustainability
Models with a low energy consumption and with biodegradable cups and stirrers
All the above-mentioned innovations are changing the automatic vending machines into multifunctional machines.
Economic and management aspects
The investment in an automatic vending machine must be carefully analysed considering the following aspects
Purchase costs
The prices can change according to the typology (tabletop or freestanding), the material and the function.
In our product range we have different price levels according to the machine features: for example in the range of F3 models there is both a basic model ( F3 REVOLUTION GK), and a higher level model such as F4 EDER. The typology is the same, but the two models are different both from the aesthetic and from the technical point of view.
Management costs
They must be considered even if they aren’t often mentioned by the manufacturer. They include as follows:
- Product supply
- Ordinary and extraordinary maintenance
- Energy costs
- Possible costs on payment systems
Potential income
Before buying any automatic machine, you had better estimate the potential earnings based on the place, the typology and the prices. It is important to analyse the consumer base.
Rules and legal requirements
The installation and the management of the automatic vending machines must follow precise rules and requirements, and additional costs must be covered to get their corresponding certificates.
Hygiene and health requirements
It is fundamental to follow the HACCP rules for the alimentary security, we must be careful to:
- The product conservation
- The machine cleaning and sanitising
- The temperature control
Administrative authorisations
Before installing any machine, it is fundamental to get the necessary administrative authorisations that may be different according to the country where the machine is installed
Fiscal laws
Evey country has its own fiscal rules for the use of the automatic machines that must be followed. For example, in Italy since 2017 it has been compulsory to communicate to the Fiscal Agency the incomes of the automatic vending machines
Certifications
Voluntary certifications that are different in every country can be asked for to improve the service quality (for example in Italy ISO 9001 for the company quality or ISO 22000 for the alimentary security)
The respect of all the laws and requirements is fundamental to be able to operate safely and legally.
Therefore, the automatic vending machines may be a strategic opportunity for any place, from offices to public areas, from schools to hospitals.
Thanks to a careful analysis of the needs, you can choose the right type of automatic vending machine and as a result do a convenient investment, able to satisfy the customers’ needs and offer you a good income.
We, Flymax, are at your disposal to show you our range of products and help you in the choice of the right automatic vending machine that may be able to meet with all your needs