Planet Antares

Ensuring Planet Antares Vending Machine Protection

2008-06-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Since the invention of vending machines, vandalism and theft have been a huge problem and a constant issue of concern. If you have a Planet Antares vending machine in a location, you will not want any theft or damage to it. If that happens, it would lead to your spending more money on repairs or you would incur financial losses.

In these days, thieves and vandals have become quite sophisticated in their efforts to beat the machine. There are several precautionary measures that you can take to secure your Planet Antares vending machines from theft or vandalism. When these incidents happen, the damage can be extraordinary sometimes. The doors are pried off and the dollar bill acceptor and products are stolen. The cost of repairing a vending machine can be anywhere between $50 and $1000. That must be avoided so that you do not suffer from any losses.

Here are some ways in which you can protect your vending machines:

1. Technology
An effective weapon against vending machine theft is to have charge card accessibility and cashless vending technology in your Planet Antares vending machine. Cashless vending means that there is no money in the vending machine to steal. This will discourage theft as there is no reason to vandalize the vending machines.

2. Bad neighborhoods
You must pick good locations for your Planet Antares vending machine. If you choose the rough part of an area, you will enhance the chances of vandalism and theft. Some locations may remain unsupervised for long periods of time and become vulnerable to miscreants. This is why it is important to pick locations in safe areas.

3. Alarms
Vending machine alarm systems are available in varying degrees of prevention and protection. There are some that will sound a loud siren if the door is opened. Others may go off if the vending machine is tilted or roughed up. Other systems have the capability of taking the attendant’s photo every time the door is opened without entering a code. It can also be programmed to call a security monitoring company automatically.

4. Security cage
These are helpful in protecting the vending machines from all sides, top and bottom. Security cages can secure your vending machines from vandals and theft. High security locks, padlocks, security bars and other precautions can also protect your vending machine effectively. You should not underestimate them.

Planet Antares Vending And Customer Views

2008-06-17T02:23:00.000-07:00

According to a recent study, it was revealed that the vending industry is losing a lot of potential customers due to lack of consumer education. The reason for this study was to determine vending machine consumer motives for purchase decisions. It also examined potential areas to expand vending machine use and the general public’s awareness of new vending machine technology and products.

Planet Antares vending operators must ensure that the consumers that use your vending machines are well informed about the products that you vend as well as any technology that you have decided to incorporate in your vending machines. The recent study that was conducted came up with new findings regarding consumer’s views about vending, such as listed below:
1) Motivation for vending machine purchases. Consumers said that they buy from vending machines mainly due to convenience and ease.

2) They are reluctant to make vending machine purchases mainly because of poor selection and the misconception that vending machines usually do not offer healthy options. If you have a Planet Antares snack and beverage vending machine, you need to make sure that you have the right product selection to suit the location.

3) The success of your sales depends on brand recognition as well. Consumers express high brand loyalty. They usually make purchases of familiar items from vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines are glass front vending machines so a branded item will be highly visible.

4) Many customers are unaware of new vending machine technology. Cashless payment options appeal to the public since it makes the whole buying process more convenient.

Potential customers are reluctant to make vending machine purchase as they believe that vending machines don’t offer healthy products and that the general prices of vending machine products are on the higher side. These misconceptions need to be set straight.

Planet Antares Vending: A Viable Business

2008-06-10T02:13:00.000-07:00

Since the early days of vending, operating costs have increased significantly. However, financial realities still make Planet Antares vending a good bet for the serious enterpreneur.

Vending may be the last truly viable business opportunity for someone with enterpreneurial skills to earn a decent income. As much as the industry has consolidated and it has become more expensive for a business to enter the “big league”, there is still scope for the small enterprises. This is something that will not change any time soon.

Majority of the people would start a vending operation to earn some extra money. While some start it on a part-time basis, others build it into a full time job. Vending opportunities by Planet Antares Inc are both easy-entry business and a very flexible one too. A vending operator can start running it from home and can also decide how quickly to grow the business. Due to these qualities, it is a very attractive business program.

If you want to start a vending business, you can begin by purchasing new or used Planet Antares glass front snack and cold drink vending machines at a very affordable rate. If you have enough equity at home, it won’t be tough to finance the purchase of equipment.

Use your garage to store products and your car to transport the products. Once you have started running yoru business, you must solicit only locaitons that will generate avergae minimum sales of $100 per week, per machine and keep the commission costs below 10 percent of sales. Make sure that your products are priced in a way that you can derive at least 50 percent gross profit.

When you decide to shift your business out of home, your startup costs will rise to that of running a full fledged business. The new facility will come with additional costs, so in order to provide the additional revenues to pay for all this, you will have to get more customers and machines for your Planet Antares vending business. The ROI will vary according to the size of the entity. In a one-man business, operating out of home may make it possible to earn a realistic 40-50 percent ROI.

Investing In Used Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-05-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

The best way to save on the initial investment that is needed to start a vending business is to buy used vending machines. It won’t take much time to pay back the money invested in buying used vending machines either. This means that within a short span of time, you will start making substantial amounts of profits on your Planet Antares vending machines. As profits rise, you can expand your business by going for new vending machines.

You need to remember that used vending machines are cheaper than new vending machines but they should not be damaged. Look for good quality machines that are also durable. Planet Antares Inc makes good quality vending machines that can be used for a long period of time. These can always be resold to new buyers who will not be disappointed. Used vending machines will most likely be inspected by the company that is reselling the unit.

There’s not much difference between the new and used Planet Antares vending machine. In more ways than none, used vending machines would operate in almost the same way as a new vending machine. However, used vending machine may lack some of the new features. The dollar bill acceptor is a new feature that can be found in all new vending machines. By buying Planet Antares used vending machines, you will get a bill changer mounted on the side.

Don’t forget to make enquiries about the warranty or return policy while purchasing used vending machines. New items usually come with some sort of guarantee. Ask about the insurance cover of the vending machines. If a warranty is offered, then it would be wise to get the coverage in writing.

You can save a lot of money while starting a new business by going for used vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines will not let you down as they are machine that have been manufactured to be durable and strong. You don’t have to worry about any defects or other major problems. By purchasing used vending machines, you can save money so that within a short period of time, you can expand your business.

Challenges For Planet Antares Vending Machine Profitability

2008-05-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

As time progresses, the vending machine industry will have to change along with it. The economy has experienced a good degree of growth but the vending industry has not prospered as much. There are several reasons for the same, such as:

Work site downsizing
Outsourcing
Higher competition from non vending retailers

The cost of vending machine operations has been rising faster than the vending machine sales and vendors’ retail price points which greatly affect the profits. Moreover, vending machine prices are not keeping up with inflation rates or wholesale products costs. By adopting new strategies, it will be easier for vending machine operators to maintain profits.

When you become a Planet Antares vending operator, you will face unique challenges when it comes to price changes as vending prices are based on overall profitability which includes taxes, commissions, service costs, costs of goods and overhead. Usually, vending operators are reluctant to raise prices. They need to consider the impact of the consumer price index on the price environment and consumer confidence.

Consumers are aware of the increasing retail prices and they will be accommodating for price hike in vending machine products. Also, their confidence is up due to economic developments. Incentives such as price reduction on less popular products can be offered by Planet Antares vending operators.

By cutting down on commissions paid to the Planet Antares vending machine locations, you can bring about changes without any direct impact on the customers. This strategy can be used to avoid raising prices of vending products.

As a vending operator, you need to invest in employees who will be handling your Planet Antares vending machines. This is because accurate accounting is essential to determine the profitability of an account.

It will not be difficult to achieve efficiency and profitability with the help of Planet Antares vending machines incorporated with new technology. In short, you will need to enhance the efficiency of your vending machines and develop good working relationships with the customer in order to maintain and expand business profitability.

The Alluring Instant Return Vending Business

2008-05-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking of starting vending machines business as a home based business, here are three important facts that you must know.

1. Vending machines start earning revenue for you almost instantly.
2. It is quite inexpensive to buy a brand new, high quality vending machine.
3. If you choose the right locations for your vending equipment, there is great possibility of earning return on initial investment within the first year itself.

Ask any experienced vending business owner and he will confirm these facts. When you install the first vending machine and see immediate purchases by customers, it gives a wonderful feeling. The vending business is actually a unique opportunity to become your own boss and that is what attracts thousands of people towards it!

In the beginning, you must be careful while selecting the vending machines. Make sure that you don’t overpay for any equipment that is not worth the price. A good idea will be to look for a reputable vending company such as Planet Antares Inc and get high quality, durable vending machines from them at competitive prices.

Many times you will be approached by fraudsters who claim to offer the best vending machines, products and services and assure instant success to newcomers, unfortunately, they hardly ever deliver on their promises and you may end up losing a lot of money, time and energy in the process. To avoid such a situation, always carry out preliminary research about the different kinds of vending machines and suppliers in your area to get the best deals.

Once you have decided about the machines and products, it is essential to search for effective locations. This can be done on your own or with the help of a hired vending machine locator. Planet Antares Inc offers locating services as part of their deal with customers. Also, you need to match the location with the kind of vending machines you purchase and products to be sold.
Vending commissions are another issue to be taken care of while setting up a vending business. This is the percentage of profits that is given to the location owners in exchange for keeping your vending machines in their premises.

Over a period of time, you will understand that saving is essential for business growth and development. So, it is recommendable to buy your products supplies and equipment from a wholesaler and not the retail distributor. This will save you a lot of money.

All this can be time consuming as well as require constant hard work and inputs on your behalf. However, the returns of this all-cash, high profits business opportunity are worth the efforts you make in the long run.

Marketing Tactics for Candy and Snack Vending Machines

2008-04-23T03:44:00.000-07:00

The large candy and snack companies are encouraging vending machine operators to upgrade to large-sized candy bars and snacks as it will be a great revenue generating opportunity. Beverage and soda companies were first to offer such an upgrade in their products to vending operators, going from 12-ounce to 20-ounce beverages.

Several benefits are associated with such an upgrade in the size and quantity of snacks and beverages. Vending operators can gain advantages in various forms that were not possible in case of the conventional sized candy or beverages.

In fact, while presenting this upgrade to Planet Antares vending operators, beverage companies propose three main advantages to them. These include the following:

1) Benefits for vending operators

Vending operator would benefit from the upgrading to large sized bottles in the long run. Even though the vending operator would realize lower gross margins, the gross dollar profit will increase for the same.

2) Benefits for manufacturers

The beverage manufacturer will gain as the margins will improve. These will definitely be higher when they sell 20-ounce beverages instead of the 12-ounce beverages.

3) Benefits to customers

The customer will benefit from purchasing a 20-ounce beverage since he would receive 8 more ounces of product at a lower per ounce cost than if they choose to purchase a traditional 12-ounce beverage.

An often used tactic in the food vending industry is that of trade-up marketing. Many of the fast food chains have increased the beverage sizes dramatically for a small rise in prices, allowing the customers to get more value for their money.

In other cases, a small beverage option is completely eliminated. Some of the convenience stores no longer offer a 12-ounce coffee or soda and only provide a 20-ounce beverage serving. As consumers demand larger products at a small upgrade cost, many vending machine companies are experiencing success with the technique of trade-up marketing.

Vending Business And Wellness Programs

2008-04-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Most operators with school accounts are familiar with the importance of delivering health and wellness products and messages, ecuase the issue has been a topic of debate in the school market for several years now.

The federally-moderated school wellness programs are designed to motivate schools to create new ways to address the issue. Planet Antares vending operators who carry these products will be perceived as valuable business partners working to be a part of the solution.

Company-wide wellness programs are the answer for many companies and bring a number of benefits. Wellness programs reduce absenteeism, on the job injuries, workers compensation costs, and disability-management costs. They can also help in reducing insurance premiums and increase productivity.

All well ness programs are not the same. Different accounts will most likely want to structure different Planet Antares vending programs that are based on the buying habits of their workforce.

A higher percentage of healthier choices may be desired by some companies while other companies might not have the internal support necessary to make such an ambitious plan financially feasible. You need to be flexible by conveying to your account that you are prepared to work towards achieivng a program that will work fot them.

The good news for vending operators is that across the industry, manufacturers are coming together to offer a wider array of products that can help them meet their customer demands, and other resources are also provided to help them address this issue as well.

The Planet Antares vending operators, who research the market and understand how to effectively adapt to the dynamic landscape, are the ones that will thrive. This means that the companies leading the way tomorrow will be the ones with the ability to recognize that health and wellness programs are here to stay. This means that using a wellness program is bound to make your vending business all the more successful.

Planet Antares Toy Vending Machine

2008-03-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Toys are one of the best selling vending products. Not only kids but even youngsters and elders like to use these vending machines. You can find toy vending machines at most places with heavy children traffic.

Not only do these machines offer toys through regular vending, but also in the form of prizes, allowing you to win the desired toy or get a free toy with a purchased product. Specialized toys can be found in specialized stores while some stores may even use vending machines to dispense their own small sized merchandise.

If you are planning to setup a toy vending machine business, you should keep the following factors in mind:

#1: Purchase vending machines from a trustable vending machine company like Planet Antares Inc. this will help you get good quality, feature packed, vending machines at competitive prices. Also, you can enjoy various after sale services for easier setup and maintenance of your vending equipment.

#2: Once you have purchased the vending machine, find the appropriate location according to the target customers. Don’t install kid’s toy vending machine where teenage kids are frequent visitors or vice versa. While stuffed toys will be popular among small kids, tattoo and sticker vending would be better for a mature crowd.

#3: Don’t go for trendy and latest items alone. This may bring in high profits initially but is not a profitable decision in the long term. Short term attractions are not dependable. You can stock your vending machines with proven hits and bestsellers for consistent sales.

#4: Analyze the sales trend of your vending products to know about the popular products and others which need to be replaced or revolved. This helps in keeping inventory control and reducing wastage of funds for ineffective products.

#5: After some time, you may expand your vending business by looking for new locations and products. This ensures business growth and profitability. The more locations you have, the more you can earn.

All these tips should help you make the most of your toy vending experience. Do your homework and select vending equipment, products and locations after research and analysis of market trends.

Sources Of Information About The Drink Vending Business

2008-03-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

In the past decade, the vending industry has experienced great amount of profits and growth. With little time to eat in the hectic schedule, along with the convenience and availability of vending machines, consumers have been looking at vending machines for meeting their hunger and thirst needs.

For those looking for a fast growing enterprise for making a good living, this can be the perfect opportunity to start their own business and earn high profits. You can work your own hours, get free from a restrictive job and enjoy more time with your family.

One of the most profitable segments in the vending industry is the snack and soda vending machines, as they are used by majority of the customers. If you buy vending machines from a reputable source like Planet Antares Inc and place them strategically, a good amount of cash can be collected every week. The level of income generated will depend on the place of location and amount of traffic the area gets. Perhaps, this is one of the easiest and most profitable businesses you will ever come across.

As a Planet Antares vending operator, you will have to ensure that all your vending machines are stocked with high quality products and remain in working order at all times. If you keep your vending machines well maintained and filled with good items, this will make them more attractive and appealing to the customers.

Don’t be hasty in choosing the vending machine company from which you will buy your equipment. Some of them may not be as honest as they should be. You need to be smart and educated about the various factors that make a vending machine company reliable to make the right decision. Doing your homework before investing your money in anything is essential.

You do not need any technical expertise to start a drink vending business but it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about it. There are E-books and online forums available for guiding you through the process of setting up and running a vending business. You may buy a few vending machines, take them on lease or even purchase an existing vending route to get started.

No set rules can be defined for success in the vending business. So, you have the power to choose which way you want to start. Don’t put down any money before finding out all the facts about the various aspects of a vending program. Remember that a drink or food vending business is not something that will make you rich overnight. As you gain experience and exposure, add new machines and find new locations to see what works for you best.

Consider different locations like business offices, restaurants and subway stations. Employees in offices will like coffee, soda or water along with the latest trend of low-calorie, healthier snacks. If you are ready to invest more money, hire a professional locator to find great locations for your vending machines.

Secrets To Coffee Vending Business Profitability

2008-02-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

Honestly, coffee vending machine business is not easy to setup or run successfully. If someone tells you that it’s a cakewalk, they are probably just trying to get your money or sell their vending machines.

For every coffee sold, you will make only a few cents and moreover, the profits will have to be shared with the location owner, Utilities Company and machine repayment. In the end, you won’t be left with much income, at least no enough to fulfill your profitability goals.

A lot of folks talk about the merits of coffee vending machine business as the best business opportunity for vending operators. According to them, this model can prove to be a great source of passive income but you must not take any decision before evaluating its pros and cons yourself.

I don’t want to misguide you or discourage you about the lucrative nature of a coffee vending machine business. However, it is important for you to know that it is not easy to make money in this business. The machines will break down, the ingredients will run out, the money will have to be collected and you will have to clean the machine for pest prevention regularly, if not daily.

Difficult it is but not impossible to make money from coffee vending machines. In this article, I will share some secrets that will enable you to establish and run a successful coffee vending machine business.

1. Don’t locate it at malls
To run a profitable coffee vending machine business, you must remember that your inflow should be more than your outflow. Placing vending machines in shopping malls will not help you achieve this goal. The basic rental, utilities and commission will be high enough to wipe out whatever profits you earn. Shopping malls have good traffic but their sales are not very high. This is mainly because there’s too much choice for the customer and it is difficult to get him to buy from your vending machine only.

2. Less is better
Like any other vending business, coffee vending machine business also requires focus on the location of the equipment. You must have heard countless times about the importance of location but it is slightly different in case of coffee vending business. The key factor is to find a location where there is less competition and potential for larger volume of customer traffic. Good locations include neighbor hospitals, military compounds, police stations, fire stations, etc.

3. Think different
Don’t wait for the crowd to come to you, go to them! With all the attractive, easy to handle models of coffee vending machines coming out in the market, you have the opportunity to explore new locations, customer segments and business expansion.

All you need to do is invest in reliable vending machines such as Planet Antares vending machines and maintain them. This will truly make it easier for you to run a profitable coffee vending machine business.

Using American Money In Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

It is very easy to use the logically designed American money system. It is based on the dollar on which all cash and coins are dependent ($1.00). As part of one dollar, the coins are found in the form of dimes and quarters. The frequently used bill denominations in Planet Antares vending machines include twenty, ten, five and one.

There is a specific size and design for each type of coin. This is also applicable to paper bills. All vending machines accept coins and paper money. When the money is placed in the Planet Antares vending machine, it will read the money to analyze the amount inserted and then dispense the desired item accordingly. The vending machine will also return the change with the help of currency change detector installed in it.

These features have made vending machines very convenient and preferable to the convenience store for millions of people across the world. Americans find vending machines very easy to use as a quick solution to their hunger and thirst needs. Planet Antares vending machines are equipped with changer machines for changing the dollar bills for customers instead of working with ‘exact change’ only. The changer machine can be mounted next to the vending machine so that anyone in need for change can get it near the vending machine whenever necessary.

While using vending machines, people try different techniques to cheat the equipment. Many times, people try to insert dollar bills half way and then pull it out after the machine has read the dollar bill. A string may be used to do this. Another common trick is to get back the coins inserted for buying a vending machine product.

One of the most useful coins is the quarter. In schools and college campuses, a lot of vending machines accept coins, especially quarters. The coin operated Planet Antares vending machines take these coins to dispense products like snacks and beverages. Many vending machines accept small bills like ones, fives and tens but the change given out by the equipment will be in coins.
You must know that vending machines do not take in dollar coins, half dollars, pennies or Canadian coins. More and more people are using credit and debit cards for buying products from vending machines as the cashless vending payment technology gains popularity among Planet Antares vending operators. Easy and safe to use, these cards are the new form of American shopping currency.

Saving Fuel In Your Planet Antares Vending Business Operations

2008-01-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

A common problem for vending operators all over the world has been the high fuel costs. It seems as if there is a never ending price hike in the fuel prices and hence, an increasing cost control issue for all the vending industry.

Vending vehicles such as trucks and route vehicles are used for transporting products from base to various locations where the vending machines have been placed. A small, home based business will usually have a personal vehicle for such purposes but a larger, sophisticated vending business will require hiring or purchase of route vehicles for vending operations.

The trick is to train your route driver to use the vehicle for productive purposes and not waste the fuel of the vending truck by using it for personal reasons. Such practices will only increase the cost levels for your business. If you keep your vehicle in good condition, there will be lesser and more optimum fuel usage than in case of an inefficient one. It is important to make strategies for saving money for better pruposes by cutting down on fuel costs.

With technological advancements, it has become easier to save money on fuel costs. However, you must understand that these are long term solutions, not shortcuts to cut down on vending operastion costs.

GPS is one technology that is used for vending business operations. This satellite-based fleet monitorig system can go a long way in improving the operational efficiency as well as employee accountability.as you can easily monitor the usage pattern of the vehicles and the speed of drivers, it becomes easier to save fuel. You also get the chance to devise more efficient routing for your vehicles.

O the other hand, alternative fuels such as propane instead of diesel or gasoline can signifcantly reduce the fuel costs of your Planet Antares vending business. A gallon of propane gas will cost you les than half the price of gasline and can be found at almost 500 depots located across the country.

Here are a few tips for keeping your vehicle in top condition without overspending on fuel.

Driving at consistent speed can increase fuel economy.

Check whether the tires are properly inflated so that there is no unneccesary load on the vehicle.

Lengthy engine idling can lead to fuel wastage that should be avoided.

Conflicts Related To Vending Machine Business

2008-01-07T02:03:00.000-08:00

The vending industry has a long and interesting history. Introduced many years ago, vending machines have formed an essential part of our daily lives today. It has become more convenient to find quick solutions for hunger and thirst. Also, a new world of technological advances and faster transactions has been opened through vending machines.

Gone are the days of mechanical vending equipment. Now, you will usually find electronic, wireless or remote operated vending machines. Along with that, the capacity of vending machines has immensely improved over the years. Where earlier models were able to dispense a single item, currently you are able to find vending machines that offer upto 50 selections of products. Planet Antares vending machines are reliable equipment that can yield high returns through efficient vending operations.

You can choose from a variety of vending programs that suit your business niche, target customers as well as the budget. Natural Choice USA has been providing vending operators an opportunity to start and run their vending business successfully through diverse vending programs.

Technological innovations in vending machines by companies like Antares Corporation have made impressive progress and led to increase in vending industry competitiveness, customer base and profitability. In ancient times, different countries conducted trade through vending machines. This led to a rise in the selections available for food items. With time, the various societies realized the monetary gains involved in vending and as a result, started using it as a means of economic growth.

Nowadays, you will find a large array of products being dispensed through vending machines. From small items like toys, candy, stickers and gumballs to larger items like soda, snacks, tissues, cigarettes and even digital products, almost anything can be purchased from vending machines. This serves as a great opportunity for vending operators to establish and operate a profitable vending business.

Recently, there has been a conflict in the vending machine business regarding the kind of products being dispensed. Especially for food items, there has been an increasing emphasis on healthier options that will provide nutritional and fitness oriented products to customers. People are getting health conscious and want to replace fried, high calorie snacks and beverages with nutritional ones.

Schools and college campuses are popular vending locations that are facing this challenge for quite some time now. Americans are struggling with obesity and have become more conscious about what they eat and drink. So, you must ensure that healthy food items are offered by your equipment. Planet Antares vending machines offer healthy and nutritional vending products to school children as well as business office employees.

Reputable vending companies like Planet Antares offer complete guidance and support to you while setting up and running your vending business. They will offer vending products as well. This will enable you to handle vending machine conflicts in the appropriate manner so that there are no time delays or wastage of resources.

How To Bid For Government Vending Contracts

2007-12-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

There are various vending business customers who seek to fulfill different needs through vending machines. Your vending machine business can earn substantial profits by meeting such customer needs in a satisfactory manner. Another way to enhance business returns is to undertake government projects.

While bidding for government projects, you must keep certain aspects of your Planet Antares vending business in mind. It is important to follow specific guidelines to gain a competitive advantage over other players in the industry.

Here are the steps for effective bidding for government vending contracts:

Step 1
The first thing to do will be to identify the circumstances that apply best to you business products and services. You should only pursue the opportunities that suit your offerings for best results. Such opportunities will be ranked and then, a strategic plan will be developed in the local and state government marketplace.

Step 2
Some vending companies may not have the time or resources to spend on searching for and researching vending business opportunities. There are strategic market intelligence companies that can help you under such circumstances. They have expertise in helping businesses collect useful information as well as in building relations with government organizations. You can also use their services for your Antares Corporation vending business.

Step 3
Gather information about the target customers, decision makers and influential persons involved in the project. Government projects will have a lot of influence by the elected officials and staffers. This means that you should be very careful while designing a business plan for such projects and make sure that no anti-lobbying laws are violated.

Step 4
For any government project, there will be aggressive competition. Many other vending companies will bid on the same opportunities and try to outdo the competitors. Hence, you will have to device a winning strategy to ensure that you win the government request. Develop and convey strong reasons why your Antares vending business should be selected over all the other bidders.

Step 5
It’s imperative to validate your message. This means that you need to communicate your message in a way that it is deciphered by the evaluators in the same way you intended. For example, a company supplying healthy vending products must give information about the ingredients and nutritional contents of the items. This will help on convincing them about your ability to meet customer requirements.

To win a government vending project, you must be thoroughly prepared and execute a well-planned strategic proposition that can beat the competition.

Enhance Daily Vending Operations With DEX

2007-12-04T03:20:00.000-08:00

DEX is a well known term among vending machine operators. In the coming time, it will play an important role in enhancing daily operations of vending business as well as industry.

Different operators have different level of knowledge about DEX and its ability to improve operational efficiency. In simple words, DEX stands for Data Exchange and is used to refer to the DEX/UCS data exchange standard. It’s a protocol used to collect audit information through vending machines built in the last 6-12 years.

For using this system, you will need to install a DEX cable. It looks like an old quarter inch headphone cable that can be connected through the female connector of a vending machine, which may be available as a loose cable wired to the board or mounted on the controller board.
A standard RS-232 or serial protocol is used to transfer data between machines and the host which is typically a handheld computer or remote retrieval system. As an Antares vending operator, you can reap various benefits by using DEX but it requires:

a. Purchase and use of vending machines that have this feature. Your vending equipment should be DEX enabled.
b. you must ensure that there is a method of capturing the DEX data electronically. Since the last 20 years, driver handheld has been the most common option for this function but a new alternative can be the remote monitoring solutions.
c. once the hardware is obtained, you will need software that can convert raw data into meaningful information.

Using DEX enabled vending machines is a great way to enhance daily operations as well as keep the vending business sales and profits estimates in accurate figures and statements.

You should only use good quality, reliable vending equipment that has this feature and does not result in any errors in software programs, DEX support, etc. Planet Antares vending machines do not have any problems of this kind and support DEX for better daily operations and vending business efficiency.

All About Vending Machine Dispensers

2007-11-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Any vending machine owner or operator would know that a vending machine is incomplete without dispenser. Basically, this is an essential component that dispenses the products selected by the consumer. Before this, the customer will have to insert coins or other form of currency in the vending machine to operate it.

You’ll find dispensers in all vending machines and places. Most of them are in automated form that dispenses diverse kinds of products like snacks, hot and cold beverages, tissues, cigarettes, water, digital items, etc. in Planet Antares vending machines, you will usually find toys, candy, snacks and beverages being dispensed.

If you plan to buy a vending machine, choose it according to your customers’ requirements, business goals, budget and quality of features like dispenser, coin acceptors, security system, etc. You may go for vending equipment with cashless technology that allows customers to pay by way of credit or debit card. This helps in getting more people to use your vending machines for desired products as they don’t have to look for change to buy them.

Listed below are some important things about vending machine dispensers that you must know while purchasing a vending machine.

The most common form of dispensers is those dispensing fluids or beverages. With the help of features like “peristaltic pumps”, these are able to dispense fixed and accurate level of liquids. Reputable vending companies like {Planet Antares Inc offer vending machines that incorporate this feature.
Such vending machines with dispensers are very easy to fill and simple to operate. They have a push button mechanism that is user friendly and highly effective.
Another feature of dispensers is the level indicator window that allows you to check whether the dispenser requires refilling or there is adequate amount of vending product in the machine. No vending operator would like the customers to wait in front of an empty vending machine. This is bad for not only vending sales but also your business reputation.

If you purchase a Planet Antares vending machine, it will dispense high quality, branded snacks and beverages without any issues like stuck products or frequent malfunctioning. The dispensing procedure will be completed in minimum possible time and customers will prefer using your vending machine to going to the local store. So, it is imperative to invest in a vending machine with reliable dispensers.

Vending Machine Operator: To Be Or Not To Be?

2007-11-20T04:30:00.000-08:00

Anyone who wants to setup and run a successful vending machine business should be clear about its various aspects, commitment and capital requirements. If you plan to do it as a pastime, don’t expext to see any substantial profits or business expansion for a long time.

It is essential to start your vending business on the right foot. With all the information and support available, you should not have much problem in understanding the basics of the business or getting aware of the issues to be taken care of.

First of all, you must be smart enough to ensure that you don’t fall prey to the attractive vending machines offered for cheap rates. Don’t keep price as your top priority because the equipment’s performance is the main criteria for determining your success or failure. There will be many companies that sell poor quality vending machines and con the ignorant buyers. So, you have to be careful while selecting a vending machine provider for your business. Go for reliable and affordable equipment like Planet Antares vending machines to get value for your money.

Having done this, don’t sit back and consider your task over. Along with the equipment, the products and machine locations also matter a lot in making or breaking your business. Vending locations m\need to be selected carefully. This can’t be stressed enough. If you don’t match the location according to the vending machines, products and needs of the target customers, your vending machines may not be able to generate significant revenue.

You may perform this task yourself or hire a professional vending machine locator to do so. Planet Antares Inc offers vending products and locating service along with the vending machines. They can provide useful advice about the best, high traffic locations and help you in procuring them too.

Another part of successful vending business is choosing the right products for your vending machines. Go for branded, high quality products that are in demand. Not just conventional bestsellers but even the latest products should be offered to arouse customer interest and increase chances of impulse buying.

Planet Antares vending machine operators have high income expectations. This is not just on paper but also proven from the hundreds of people who have actually setup profitable vending business in the past. There is lesser possibility of your vending business venture going wrong if you go for a reputable company to buy vending machines and products.

It’s also important to plan your time schedule to ensure periodic filling and servicing of vending machines. Customers will be happy only when your vending machines function properly at all times.

After reading all these facts, it is your decision whether you are ready to become a vending machine operator or not. The vending business is truly a unique opprtunity to become your own boss and if you do it carefully, it can be highly rewarding.

All About Ice Cream Vending Machines

2007-10-30T05:09:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves ice cream. What better way is there to beat the summer heat? You can choose from a wide range of ice cream flavors to suit your taste and preference. Ice cream parlors can be found in your local market easily.

Like many other products, vending machines have started selling ice creams too. This is especially beneficial for people who don’t have the time to take break from their work to go out and buy ice cream or are in a rush. Your creativity in placing the vending machines at effective locations will also help in deciding the amount of sales that can be generated.

Frozen food vending machines, including ice cream vending machines, offer hunger solutions on a 24/7 basis. You can place your ice cream vending machines in:

• Commercial places
• Convenience stores
• Business offices
• Airports
• Railway stations
• Shopping malls
• Schools
• College campuses

Ice cream vending machines are an attractive opportunity for earning money. Out of the total vending market, they hold a share of about 2%. In money terms, this means billions of dollars turn over per annum. To begin with, you must carry out research regarding the different aspects of ice cream vending business like:

• Ice cream only models
• Integrated frozen food models
• Complete meal models

Choose a reliable vending machine supplier like Planet Antares Inc to get the best quality new, used or rented machines at affordable prices.

Some vending machines may have unique features like:

• Touch screen front door
• Ability to prepare fresh ice cream from stocked ingredients
• Multiple payment options including coins, notes and credit cards

Usually, you will find ice cream vending machines with striking décor and accessories t attract customers and arouse interest in products. These machines may vary in capacity with some of them offering upto 200 varieties for selection by the customer.

Technological advancement has led to the use of computers and memory chips in ice cream vending machines to increase their durability and functionality. One such feature includes the introduction of cold plate freezers instead of dry ice models in the freezing mechanism to save energy.

Maintenance Tips For Refrigerated Beverage Vending Machines

2007-09-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Your refrigerated beverage vending machines can be a reliable source of income while providing cold products to customers. It is essential to keep your vending machines in top condition so that your customers don’t need to wait in front of a broken machine. Moreover, location owners also prefer machines that perform consistently and need minimum possible repair.

Here are a few tips for effective operations and maintenance of your refrigerated beverage vending machines:

#1: Make sure that you purchase a vending machine from a reputable supplier. A good vending machine provider will provide vending machine servicing, refilling, repair and maintenance services for its customers. Planet Antares Inc offers all these after sale services to support the vending operator’s business.

#2: Ask your vending machine supplier about the power mode of the selected machine. If it is has an active low power mode, the vending machine will be put into a state of low-energy refrigeration when there is low or no usage of the machine. This can help you in saving electricity costs too as upto 20% energy may be saved.

#3: For vending machines that don’t have a low power mode, you can go for an external controller. The use of such device requires giving instructions to the premises owners and employees regarding the installation and operation of this unit.

#4: Multiple machines may be connected to a single external controller. A repeater must be used to ensure that there is no extra load on the electrical circuit and the machines start smoothly.

#5: Another way to save energy is de-lamping of advertising lights in the vending machines. Even though this will meet resistance from many business owners, you can inform them about the energy saved by doing so (upto 30%).

#6: For products requiring constant refrigeration, you should avoid using low power mode and other energy saving techniques. These may lead to rotting or spoilage of such products.

Remember that you can reduce your operating costs by cutting down on maintenance costs by using the above stated techniques. Take all these factors into consideration to ensure efficiency in vending machine operations and avoid breakdown or malfunctioning.

Digital Displays For Planet Antares Soda Vending Machines

2007-09-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

With increasing competition and customer demands, you need to find new ways to keep your vending machine customers satisfied and interested in using your vending machines. Digital display technology for soda vending machines has helped vending operators attract new customers and keep the existing customers coming back.

This is a great way to advertise soda vending products and with new technological updates, it has become very affordable too. The display involves a small LCD screen setup at the front of the soda vending machine. It may even be placed on the coin receptacle or on top of the vending machine.

Innovative digital display includes touch enabled devices and interactive video content to provide a personalized experience to the vending machine customers. It is an effective way to stimulate the customer’s interest and encourage impulse purchases.

Soda vending machines are benefited in various ways by digital technology, some of the most important ones being:

a) Products of the Planet Antares vending machine can be marketed at the point of purchase itself. Buyer’s decisions can be influenced by giving him instant information about the various products available through the vending machine.

b) Customers would prefer dynamic, interactive vending machines over static soda vending machines which have nothing new to offer. This keeps the consumers interested in your vending machine. It also enables advertising of new products without additional expenses.

c) Lesser soda vending machine maintenance costs will be incurred. There will be no wear and tear of selection buttons and other parts used by customers. With graphic icons, you can avoid frequent servicing and repair expenses.

d) It will be easier to get high-end locations with technically advanced soda vending machines. You can beat the competition and ensure increased sales as well.

e) Vending machine monitoring becomes easier and faster with the use of digital technology. This is due to the use of digital hardware in a remote vending machine to network with your computer.

f) Multifunctional digital display will enable vending machine operators to advertise latest products and business details at the same time. This helps in better marketing and sales.

All these advantages have made digital display technology a good marketing tool for soda vending machines. If you want to have an edge over the competition and enhance your profits as well, such technology can help you achieve this objective.

Planet Antares Vending Machines as an Investment Option

2007-09-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

All around you, there are thousands of investment opportunities, most of which promise instant and enormous amount of returns. Having the money to invest in a business is not enough. You must also know where to invest and make sure that you don’t end up losing your money. There are many factors which should be analyzed before making an investment decision. There is no venture which gives a 100% guarantee of success but there are various options which are more probable to do so. One such investment option is the Planet Antares vending machine business.
The best thing about this business is that you do not require any office space to start. A vending machine is all that you will need to start operating as a vending machine operator. However, you will have to choose the location for your vending machines carefully. This decision is a make or break factor as the machines can only earn as much as they are used by people. So the major investment is only in purchasing the vending machine and the products to be sold. For beginners, it is better to go for a small vending machine dispensing products like candy, toys, etc. As you gain experience, you can invest in larger, complex and more income generating machines.

It is not necessary that there will be a direct relationship between the investment made by you and the profits earned by the vending business. By placing your vending machines in strategic locations, you can make the most of your investment. This doesn’t mean that you should go for cheap bargains and ignore quality of service. There are many good vending machine suppliers like Planet Antares Inc. which provide vending machines for low, medium or large investment budgets.

You also have the option of buying vending machines through wholesale suppliers, renting them or taking used machines. These must be checked for any malfunctioning or other problems. Another way to start a vending machine business is to buy machines which are already located at various places.

This investment option is unique in its features and allows saving of time, money and effort while giving you the opportunity to be your own boss. You just have to make sure that the vending machines are regularly served, refilled and promptly repaired in case of any faults. You should also keep updating the machine with better features and technological additions.

Within vending itself, there is a wide variety of choices such as bulk vending, soda and snack vending, newspaper vending, etc. With time and experience, you can try customized vending machines too. Definitely, this is one of the best investment opportunities with great earnings and growth possibility.

Start Vending with Used Machines

2007-08-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don’t have enough money to buy new vending machines but want to start a vending business, used machines are a good alternative.

If you have no clue where to go hunting for a used vending machine, there is no need to worry. You can find a good used machine in five simple steps.

Step #1
Used vending machines can be found in many ways. You may go through the classified ads or search for them online. Companies with online websites are quite reliable for providing good quality vending machines. Confirm that the price of the selected used vending machine is less than a new machine. Before you buy a used machine, check the market prices of various similar machines offered by different distributors. Make sure that the machine cost is lower than the original machine’s cost.

Step #2
The used machine should be in a reasonably good condition. Its coin receptacle and validator should be able to receive current currencies. Make sure that the vending machine is updated to the present requirements. Planet Antares machines are highly updated and well maintained.

Step #3
Check the vending machine for its operating efficiency. The customers should be able to get the products easily and without any hassles or delay. Choose a simple to operate vending machine so that customers can use it frequently and easily.

Step #4
The kind of machine you buy depends on the products you want to sell. If you are planning to sell food items, used machines are not advisable. In such a case, it will be better that you purchase a new Planet Antares vending machine rather than wasting your money on a used vending machine.

Step #5
Choose a company which provides you with flexible payment plans, after sale services, etc. You can also purchase an already located machine and gather detailed information about it from the previous owner.

By following these steps, you can buy the right used machines for starting your vending business.

Say Goodbye to Money Problems: Try Vending Business

2007-08-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

In a time when everyone is looking for a job to pay the rent and the endless bills, you can say goodbye to a stressful life by getting into the vending business. Now, you can find time for all the things you always wanted to do. If it sounds like a good idea, why don’t you give it a shot?

Viability of the Venture
Everywhere you go, you will find vending machines. It’s like the business opportunity is staring you in the face. You don’t even have to go to office or supervise a team of employees. Just purchase and install the vending machines to set the money rolling. The average time spent by Planet Antares vending machine owners on servicing is about 15-20 minutes. The rest of the time is at your own disposal.

A Planet Antares vending machine can make about $30 a month. Multiply this by the number of racks in a machine and the number of machines placed in various locations. This can give you an idea how lucrative this business may turn out to be.

Facing the Competition
You may wonder if there are any places left for placing new vending machines. After all, they seem to be at just about every other place. However, you will be surprised to find a lot of undiscovered locations with great potential. Once you get down to doing some serious searching and strategy formation, you can match the location to your product to capitalize on untouched venues.

Bulk vending machines, especially candy machines are very popular amongst children and families. It is best to place such machines in areas visited by them frequently. If kids have to wait while their parents do shopping, they are highly probable to indulge in some candy, gumball or toy shopping and that is where your vending machine comes into the picture.

Calculating the Cost
The costs of vending machines may differ according to their size and type but are generally quite inexpensive. You can get a triple vending machine for just $110. You can benefit from this unique combination of low investment and high profits. You can start with a few small sized machines and get a feel of the business before expanding your scale of operations.
With such attractive features and multiple advantages, vending business is definitely worth a try.

Achieving Success in Your Vending Business

2007-07-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

If you have a Planet Antares vending business, you will not find it hard to achieve success if you use the right strategies. It is the largest all cash business opportunity in the world and that is what has made it such a lucrative business. When you start a vending business, you would want to achieve success with the business, just like other vendors before you. There are numerous factors that can contribute to you having a successful vending business. A vending business has to be successful in order for you to make profit. If you want to achieve success in your vending business, you will need to make decisions that will only increase profitability.

The right equipment
The first thing that you would need to do is to invest in high quality vending machines that will vend your products without a hassle. Quality vending machines are important because, the customer will hardly ever experience any trouble when they are using the vending machine. A vending machine should be user friendly so that customers can operate the vending machine on their own. Vending machines can be bought or rented. If you want to buy the vending but you don’t have enough capital, you can opt for used vending machines instead. Whatever the situation, just make sure that the vending machine that you acquire is good quality vending machines like those by Planet Antares.

The right products
Once you have purchased your Planet Antares vending machines, it will then be time to look for a supplier that can provide you with all kinds of products. To know the right products to vend, talk to other vending operators in the area about the products they vend. The information that they can provide to you can prove to be very helpful. Even though vending operators in the same area are competitors, there are always some that are willing to share information. Suppliers deal with all other operators, so they can also provide you with information regarding the popular products. Branded snacks and beverages are always sure winners, since they are nationally recognized. The products that you pick for your vending machine, really depends on the location that you are serving. Tastes differ from location to location. Provide a location with products that they want and will buy. Vendors who have achieved success have always provided the best vending services by catering to the needs of customers.

The right locations
All successful vending operators understand the importance of a location to a vending business. Pick locations that you know and feel are right for your Planet Antares vending machines. High traffic locations would be ideal for your snack and beverage vending machines. As soon as you place the vending machines in a location, they should immediately start making money. In order to pick the right location, you need to clearly understand the importance of locations. With the right locations achieving success will not be impossible.