Category: custom vending machines

Case Study: San Diego State University

Posted on by John Van Horn

 

IDSvending - Sandiego State University

Serving over 36,000 students, San Diego State University (SDSU) is known for providing students with opportunities to prepare them for the future. What happens, however, when a global pandemic ravages the United States? The leader in public research has to come up with a way to keep students safe while providing them with a quality educational experience.

So, what are some of the pandemic safety challenges that were dealt with on the SDSU campus?

  1. The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the way SDSU keeps students and staff members safe.
  2. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 was a challenge at SDSU. While students are not required to get tested, SDSU is working hard to limit the spread by providing COVID-19 Test Kit Dispensing Machines across campus.
  3. Single Point of Use testing centers was unrealistic as SDSU, as it has over 36,000 students.

SDSU is requiring all staff members and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, however, it is still possible for breakthrough COVID-19 cases. SDSU is doing what it can to ensure it can control the spread.

“If you’re worried that you have symptoms, it just makes it very easy to pop on over and grab one, as opposed to just hoping you’re okay,” said Heidi Nguyen, Senior Admissions Counselor at SDSU.

In order to help control the spread of COVID-19, SDSU implemented COVID-19 Test Kit Dispensing Machines across campus, providing testing for students and staff members. Students are tested prior to the semester and regularly throughout. Tests can be accessed for free, once students sign up online.

While students are not required to be tested, they are expected to test if they start feeling any symptoms of COVID-19.

Through iQ Technology, UCapIt’s software solution, SDSU has real-time usage data that is useful for staff planning, budgeting, reporting and compliance purposes.

UC San Diego utilizes the passcode function of iQ Technology for the COVID-19 testing machines. Through iQ Technology, the passcode feature allows system administrators to provide one-time use codes assigned to individual users. An expiration date and time, as well as specific product access, is able to be assigned to each unique passcode.

Due to testing and COVID-19 protocols across campus, including mask wearing, social distancing and required vaccinations, SDSU has been able to quickly test students for COVID-19. Within the first few weeks of the 2021 fall semester, almost 800 tests had been accessed by students.

Through UCapIt’s COVID-19 Test Kit Dispensing Machines, users can access test kits at their convenience 24/7, without staff needing to be on-site. In addition, the machines can be equipped with patent-pending UVC light sanitization technology, UVend Technology. UVend sanitizes the high-touch surfaces on the machine quickly and safely by killing or inactivating up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 Test Kit Dispensing Machines are located across campus and can be found using the campus’ interactive map. Additionally, with the help of the Test Kit Dispensing Machines, SDSU has been able to:

  1. Reduce wait times for COVID-19 testing
  2. Help control the speak of COVID-19 across SDSU’s campus
  3. Keep track of students and staff members who have been tested. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt everyday life, campuses across the country are in need of solutions to control the spread, SDSU has stayed on top by providing a safer educational experience for students and staff members.

Does your educational institution need an efficient, convenient way to provide a COVID-19 test kit and other public health supplies to students and staff? If so, contact UCapIt to schedule a live, personalized demo to see how our iQ Technology can help your organization.

Is your Fitness Center in Shape?

Posted on by John Van Horn

Intelligent Dispensing Solutions reaches across many industries to help companies increase profit and maximize their resources. IDS vending machines and lockers for Fitness Centers makes it convenient and easy for gym members to find the supplies they need and makes workout facilities the go-to place to find what they’re looking for. The IDS Fitness Center brings nutritional and fitness essentials right to those that want them. Workout facilities can use IDS machines to increase profit while meeting a need among their clientele.

The IDS Fitness Center is capable of dispensing large packed products like bulk containers and bags, to small individually packaged samples. The protein vending machines can also dispense refrigerated beverages and shakes. Our Fitness Center locker and vending machine system can be set up as a standalone dispensing unit, or include satellite lockers giving you expandability for a variety of products.

The IDS Fitness Center is configurable and expandable for a wide range of products. The machines off secure dispensing, cash and credit card payment options and a web-based interface. Third-party POS integration includes Bar Code, PIN code, MagStripe and PROX Card.

All transactions are secure. You can customize your IDS Fitness Center with your logo on the outside of the machine, too. Our Fitness machines easily integrate with ABC Financial software as well. This way customers can use their gym membership or ID card to pay for their products.

IDS will be at the Club Industry Show at the Hilton Chicago on October 10 and 11. We will be showing off our equipment and would love to answer any questions you have about how our machines can increase your fitness center’s profit. Please call us today at 1-877-771-4446!

 

How Can Will Call Lockers Help Your Business?

Posted on by John Van Horn

Companies want to cut costs and customers want efficiency purchasing experience. Intelligent Dispensing Solutions’ Will Call Lockers are helping companies sell items online without having to staff an employee at their location to work the pick up desk.

You can fill the automated locker system at a time that is best for you. When the item purchased is placed in the locker and the door is shut, a one time pickup code is sent to the customer, so they can come pick up their purchase. The lockers bring customers into the store. This way they see other items to purchase and develop a bond with your brand or business. Lockers can also be placed in secure locations outside of your store so your customers can access their items outside of store hours. 

IDS equipment works for all types of businesses and locations. A bookstore, copy center or dry cleaner probably only needs one size of locker, but if you’re supplying parts, mail, or groceries multiple locker sizes may be best. We can also pair lockers to a vending machine so they can best dispense your product. IDS is happy to work with employee access card or IDs you are already using.

Great customer service is important to any successful organization. IDS Will Call Lockers are a productive way for your customers to have a positive and efficient online purchasing experience. Contact us today with your needs and we will work to customize equipment that is perfect for your business. We look forward to helping you work smarter and more efficiently. Call IDS at 1-877-771-4446.

School Food Application

Posted on by John Van Horn

We are proud to offer solutions to help schools feed children nutritious lunches and snacks. IDS has the technology to integrate a school’s POS so that students can use their IDs or a code to get their food from the machine. The healthy school vending machines can offer different food categories and be programmed so each student can choose one food from each category offered. Our school food application is perfect for schools without a lunch room or schools looking to provide after school snacks to students that are part of an activity or students who may not get a nutritious meal at their home.

Inventory Management

Posted on by John Van Horn

Intelligent Dispensing Solutions takes pride in being leaders in serving companies manage their inventory. We are working to develop the best software and hardware to help all types of organizations save money.

“What we do at IDS is: How can we help with managing your operations?” said IDS VP of Sale John Van Horn. “So we put our efforts into our software from a managing perspective. Managing what you have and that could vary.”

Our inventory management and control solutions are designed to save you time and money. IDS has designed many successful applications to assist businesses, EMS, schools and hospitals securely dispense important supplies. Our applications are used to track supplies, sell products and control dispensing.

Companies spend a great deal of money either tracking inventory or losing money from “lost” invent. IDS has inventory management and control solutions that are easy, effective and automated so supplies and inventory can get in the hands of those they were intended for when they need it. We understand that for any organization it’s about the money.

“Historically 30% has been saved by using our equipment,” said Van Horn.

IDS is committed to working with our clients to create money saving solutions that allow them to spend time and money on responsibilities other than inventory control. Call us today at 1-877-771-4446 to learn how we can help you.

Vending Machines Uses: They Aren’t Just for Snacks

Posted on by John Van Horn

                  It is most common for people to associate vending machines as only serving food and drinks. However, more and more we are seeing vending machines that have a variety of uses besides dispensing food. Businesses are understanding the value of convenience and the ease with which products can be stored and delivered in non-food vending machines. Vending machines also provide a secure location for items and easy tracking and inventory information.

                  Companies are learning that vending machines help them get their products in front of their possible customers sooner. A recent Small Business Trends article titled “Vending Machines Aren’t Just for Snacks Anymore” noted that companies are selling jackets and headphones out of electronics vending machines in airports. Vending machines help companies go to their customers rather than on relying their customers coming to them. In addition to airports, schools and universities are becoming popular places to place non-traditional vending machines.  These machines can help travelers that are missing something they want for their trip or a student who needs a piece of technology for class.  Fitness centers are also great places to reach a target market through automated dispensing. Just like in traditional snack vending where location is important and a business profits when they can take their product to where people interested in their product already are.

iVendTech Satellite Machine

                  Organizations are also learning how vending machines are efficient and cost effective ways to get necessary supplies to their own employees. Businesses can use vending machines to track supplies, so they know exactly who is taking the supplies, and can limit how many workers can take. Employees can also take supplies 24/7 and do not need to wait on anyone else to access what they need. Intelligent Dispensing Solutions had been very successful helping hospitals dispense and sort their scrubs and other medical supplies. IDS also has helped fire departments track and dispense emergency supplies. Improved inventory management with vending machines is helping organizations save money and better serve their workers.

             We will let other companies get customers snacks and drink. We are proud to be on the cutting edge of automated inventory management systems helping businesses save time and money. Helping companies develop automated retail plans to reach their target market is important to us. Intelligent Dispensing Solutions is excited about the future of vending and the growing awareness and opportunities to vend non-food items. Do you have an idea of something you would like to vend but need helping making it happen? Contact us today at 1-877-771-4446. We would love to learn how we can serve you!

The IDS System for Medical Supply Dispensing in Chesapeake

Posted on by John Van Horn

The Chesapeake Fire Department has implemented IDS’ secure, web-based system to dispense medical supplies for its team in order to increase their efficiency and decrease their tax dollar spend!

How does this medicine vending machine work, and how much will it cost taxpayers? While the city invested $85,000 to get the machine up and running, it has been determined that this initiative could actually save taxpayers thousands of dollars in the long run. The machine’s supplies are accessed by employees through scanning their department IDs and choosing the dispensable item via keypad selection.

The department’s previous system of an open closet approach for EMS inventory management was far less efficient: crews got supplies after sending an email and awaiting new deliveries. Additionally, restocking was estimated and often inaccurate. There were countless potential delays. Additionally, there were excess fuel costs because crews could only get supplies from one central supply station, no matter where they were based in the city.

Now things have changed.

“The IDS system is going to prevent stations and employees from hoarding supplies and thinking they may need more, while really they need less,” says Chris Bergeron of BoundTree Medical.

The implementation of IDS’ system at Chesapeake Fire Department, three years in the making, helps speed up the process of getting supplies and helps keep up with costs. The system provides info that will allow the fire department to use tax dollars more efficiently. This year alone, Chesapeake crews had over 27,000 emergency calls, of which 76% were EMS calls where medical supplies are used.

Now, the new dispensing machines can also help identify what specific items are needed for different emergencies, further increasing efficiency and preparedness for medical calls.

Watch the full video feature on this exciting new wave of medical supply technology here, and be sure to visit the IDS website to learn more about our controlled dispensing technology.

Large Item Dispensing Revolutionized

Posted on by John Van Horn

cap12locker1

Emergency medical professionals regularly need access to large costly items that an entire team shares. Oxygen tanks, medical toolkits, and emergency medical devices are all very costly, and improper storage of these items can wreak havoc on already financially strapped organizations.

The UCapIt 12-door supply locker and dispensing system handles large or bulky items that need to be check out and checked back in. We’ve heard from emergency medical professionals from across the nation, the need to have a central access point for all critical medical devices is unanimous across the board. That’s why we developed the locker dispensing system to help medical professionals keep track of expensive tools and equipment, that is easily accessed by those who are trained and qualified to use such devices.

Our CAP 12-Door Equipment Locker Features:

Adjustable Back Panels – Size to fit each compartment for varying product depths.

LED Lighting – High visibility and high efficiency LED lighting option for dimly lighted locations.

Recharging Adapters – Charge and check out radios and other powered equipment.

Ideal for Large Single-Item Vending and Asset Management

There are several other ways that UCapIt CAP 12-Door large item supply locker can help emergency medical professionals. Be sure to look into this company and their unique large item vending machines to see how they can help you.

Scrubs May Be Contaminating More Than Expected

Posted on by John Van Horn

A wake-up call has been rung for healthcare personnel around the world. A Duke Health study reports on the “transmission triangle” in a healthcare setting, between patients, the environment where care is administered, and the health care provider.

The study states that the germs in hospital rooms that come in contact with healthcare personnel can be spread far more than originally discovered.

“Any type of patient care, or even just entry into a room where care is provided, truly should be considered a chance for interacting with organisms that can cause disease.” said Deverick Anderson, M.D., the study’s lead author and associate professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.

During the study, researchers collected cultures from the scrubs of intensive care unit nurses at Duke University Hospital. The samples were collected from new scrubs at the start of their shift, before interacting with a patient, and at the end of each shift.  

Analysis of the cultures found organisms on the nurse’s scrubs that were not present at the beginning of a shift, but were present at the end. The researchers then looked for those same organisms in the samples collected from patients and their rooms.

During the shifts considered, the researchers confirmed 12 instances when at least one of the five pathogens was transmitted from the patient or the room to the scrubs. Six incidents each involved transmission from patient to nurse and room to nurse. An additional ten transmissions were from the patient to the room.

Analysis of the study found the scrubs, particularly the pockets and sleeves, from the nurses were most likely contaminated, and had the ability to pass on bacteria beyond the healthcare setting. Following prevention strategies has to be a top priority for all healthcare personnel.

Contaminated linen, including scrubs and coats, have been identified as a source of large numbers of pathogenic microorganisms. ScrubTrak helps keep scrubs clean and control this risk in healthcare organizations by providing return units in key locations throughout the campus. Having multiple return unit locations ensures that employees do not have to travel far distances in contaminated uniforms.

Hospital grade laundering services provides a thorough, cleaning process that cannot be replicated in home washing machines and ensures scrubs are rid of infectious germs. Through automating the scrub management process for receiving and returning scrubs, ScrubTrak assists hospitals in complying with AORN’s recommendation for surgical attire to be laundered by a healthcare laundry facility to avoid the spread of infectious bacteria on scrubs of medical personnel who have patient interaction. By offering dispensing and return units for scrubs, and monitoring compliance through our real-time software system, hospital administrators can confidently comply with AORN. In addition, ScrubTrak’s return units allow for convenient and safe scrub pick-up by laundering staff.

The best way to get clean, fresh, correctly-sized scrubs, anytime? ScrubTrak, the easiest way to dispense scrubs, anywhere.

Why Inventory Management is Critical to Your Business

Posted on by John Van Horn

It used to be that the most an office employee could reasonably pilfer would be a few staplers and reams of paper. Maybe a really nice fountain pen. Now, with the influx of high tech gadgetry and peripherals required in nearly every professional setting, the danger of such supplies being stolen has become a serious financial consideration. iVendTech’s inventory management vending machines provide a simple way to stock, track, and account for any manner of office supplies.

The old school technique of keeping one open supply closet with all the requisite tools has disappeared. There is a need to trace each item used–particularly the expensive gadgets–and that requires a new method. Locked closets with a dedicated employee ‘gatekeeper’ only slow down valuable employees with paperwork and bureaucracy.  Using a customized iVendTech system will not only increase employee productivity, but it will also decrease overhead.

Every iVendTech and IDS automated office supply dispensing machine comes with online real-time tracking, so management can see how often and how many of each item is actually used. That data can then be used for office supply management in order to keep only the stock necessary, whether it’s a specialized tool or merely coffee supplies.

Accepting shrinkage and lost productivity as part of doing business is a thing of the past. Modern solutions, like iVendTech’s inventory management system, will both decrease costs and increase employee efficiency. Visit our website today to learn how we can customize a vending machine for your business needs!