Automatic Vending Machines

A machine that automatically dispenses a product in response to an input in form of coins, notes, cards or other feed is called a “Vending Machine”.

Vending Industry History:

The concept of automatic vending dates back to 215 BC.  Devices utilizing technology of that era were deployed at battle fields; for example, water containers would only open with special contraptions for soldiers to drink.

Important landmarks in recent history of this industry can be summarized as below:

1612:  Design and fabrication of most elementary vending machines in England.
1872:  Design and fabrication of first payment system with tokens that later matured to accepting coins.
1928:  Introduction of snacks vending machines in public places and passenger terminals in Europe.
1946:  Commissioning of first hot drinks vending machine.
1959:  Leap in all aspects of vending industry and introduction of hot and cold foods machines.
1980:  Digitization and incorporation of IT in the vending technology.

Fields of the Industry:

The vending industry branches quite wide and encompasses many areas including the following:

Hot and cold beverages, snacks, various hot and cold foods, cigarettes, music, toys, fuel, electronic civil services, mail and printed media, ice cream, flowers, groceries, debit/credit cards (telephone, Internet, etc.), hygienic and pharmaceutical products, stamps, tickets (train, airplane, underground, parking, theatres…), and generally any product that can be sold commercially can also be dispensed through automatic vending machines.

Utilization Domains:

Vending machines can be at large deployed anywhere including the following:

Terminals, airports, city hubs, train and underground stations, commercial and government offices, hospitals and healthcare centres, exhibitions, shopping malls, schools, universities and other educational establishments, post offices, gymnasiums and hundreds of other public and private places.

Formative Elements of the Vending Industry:

1- Time savings for operator and customer in a multitude of locations.
2- Possibility to extend selling hours throughout the day and night.
3- Efficient use of space and reduction of overhead costs.
4- Improved sanitation in distribution systems.
5- Variety of products and increased customer choice in a small space.
6- Effective increase in employment through manufacturing and operation of vending machines.
7- Social modernization and keeping pace with global advancements.