Are 24/7 vending systems a type of smartstore? We think yes. It could be that smartstores in the future resemble kiosks we see today to larger kiosks that you enter with a smart cart.
Back in 2005, a highly innovative reagent freezer, combined with smart card technology and wireless communication, was created to provide a revolutionary cashless vending system for 40 molecular biology products from Eppendorf and other leading brands.
Developed by molecular biology supplier Helena BioSciences in partnership with G2 Integrated Solutions, Helena Smartstores incorporates a –20 ºC vending machine accessed by value-loaded smart cards. Already successfully installed at several prestigious UK research facilities, Smartstores help scientists manage and monitor budgets as individual cards can be assigned to specific funding sources. G2’s smart card account system also consolidates all orders into a single monthly invoice, saving purchasing costs.
Aston Bowles, Helena BioSciences Marketing Manager, is delighted that the company’s products are available through this unique delivery system: ‘There are significant benefits for universities, research institutes and hospitals installing Helena Smartstores, in terms of increased efficiency, savings on dry ice delivery charges, and lower administration costs. Smartstores are permanently online via a wireless GPRS system, ensuring that stock is automatically reordered and Eppendorf and Fermentas reagents are available for scientists to buy whenever they need them, day or night.’
Fastenal Vending Machine
Another smart kiosk on the market is a secure, fully-automated RFID enabled store called SmartStore from Fastenal. Local Fastenal Store personnel manage the inventory and keep each SmartStore stocked. Fastenal products are instantly available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in maintenance areas, remote locations, at line-side and in work cells anywhere you need them.
Designed by the top experts in industrial vending, the Fast 5000 SmartStore provides the robust dispensing capabilities needed to handle the wide range of tools, parts, supplies and materials required for industrial applications. With adjustable shelf heights, an easily reconfigurable helix design, and the widest available choice of dispensing helices and options, aids and adapters.The Fastenal SmartStore is perfect for manufacturing cells, remote areas, small work groups, at line side or anywhere critical materials are used. Fastenal takes care of everything, from installing the latest Internet-based industrial vending technology to keeping it stocked and monitoring your usage and inventory levels. Best of all, you only pay for the products you use.
Finally another kiosk store called ‘Right Now’ stands out due to its impressive size physically and the number and variety of products you can buy. It is best described as a cross between a kiosk and store. This system encapsulates the definition of a smartstore in that they distribute products to customers using technology with the initial absence of service staff. Perhaps smartstores in the future may work like this except that bigger stores will allow entry to customers, and products will be distributed from smart shelves to the customers smart cart.
Right Now
