Tag: intelligent dispensing solutions

UCapIt Specialty Applications Spotlight

Posted on by SaravanaKumar@wittern.com

Pandemics are not new to our world, but COVID-19 has taught us the need for prevention, testing and protection unlike any other in contemporary history. Intelligent Dispensing Solutions brings a comprehensive set of products that cover all three aspects through its UCapit family of machines.

  • Sani-Center Plus machines can dispense large and small PPE Kits to help in preventing the spread of harmful diseases, such as influenza, COVID-19 and even the common cold.
  • IDS Testing Center enables access to self-administered COVID-19 test kits for quick identification of the COVID-19 viruses in order to slow the spread in businesses and college campuses.
  • Harm Reduction Supply Dispenser helps to deliver essential supplies like needles, syringes and disposal containers in a safe manner.

UCapit specialty application machines can help businesses and institutions fight the spread of this pandemic while ensuring proper medical supply distribution and accountability. Emergency Medical Supplies (EMS) are not just expensive, but also very valuable as they have direct impact on the lives of people. UCapit machines help distribute medical supplies, ensure proper usage and prevents waste of such life-saving essentials.

Sani-Center

Preventing the spread of viruses reduces the social and economic impact of the pandemic by saving lives. The   dispenses PPE equipment and sanitation supplies to help contain spread of contagious diseases like COVID-19 and influenze.

Sani-Center dispensers are configurable to ensure delivery of a wide range of supplies – big and small. So, investing in a single machine, operators and institutions can cater to different PPE and sanitation requirements of the end-users. The proprietary  technology eliminates coils and the need for frequent maintenance.

IDS Testing Center

The key to successful testing for COVID-19 lies in two aspects, timeliness and trackability. Timeliness means the access to tests for symptomatic and asymptomatic hosts of the disease. Early detection can help both the affected and those around them.

The series of our medical supply distribution machines helps educational institutions and businesses in Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Work initiatives. It ensures easy access to self-administered test kits in a controlled process that allows trackability. This is achieved by scanning the bar code on the employee badge or the campus card. After sample collection, when the kit is returned, it is cross referenced with the bar code on the badge to ensure proper attribution of results.

IDS Testing Center uses a combination of cloud technology,  , optical sensing and its features like iVend guaranteed delivery to ensure proper dispensing of test kits, collection of samples and accurate attribution.

Harm Reduction Supply Dispenser

Prevention and testing are important steps towards mitigation of spread. Protecting or treating is important to save the lives. It helps in reducing the spread of HIV and other diseases. This is where UCapit’s comes into play.

These machines enhance safety in drug use through its automated syringe dispensing system. It is used by institutions and civic administration to provide health officials access to clean needles, clean syringes, and needle disposal containers for used needles.

Technology

Providing access to EMS and other life-saving commodities need to be reliable, controlled and trackable. UCapit leaves no stone unturned in terms of bringing in the right technology pieces from both Hardware and Software perspectives to deliver these values to its users and operators.

  • Hardware

The portfolio of products includes everything from that are installed in institutions or public spaces to Supply Lockers. are a critical component of the medical supplies value stream to proper ensure collection and distribution of narcotics and pharmaceuticals. But that is not all. The portfolio also boasts that of the that combine benefits of dispensers and supply lockers into one machine. This not only reduces the footprint, but also reduces cost of operations.

At a sub-system level, UCapIt uses cutting edge technology like IR sensing based iVend Guaranteed Delivery systems and  systems to ensure safe and assured delivery of essential commodities.

  • Software

Data visibility is the key to making timely and accurate decisions in the supply chain. It is more so when it comes to dispensing EMS and critical supplies. That is why UCapit’s iQ Technology ensures availability of real-time analytics that can provide actionable insights into consumption of supplies and usage of the machine. The data can help executives and managers make informed decisions for enterprise-wide inventory and asset management.

Benefits of UCapit Specialty Applications

In times of the pandemic, healthcare organizations look for ways to easily distribute medical supplies. When patient volumes are high and the need for quick access to testing is at never-before-seen levels, they also must minimize cost of operations. The cost of inventory is a big component of the cost of operations. The different features of the UCapit portfolio of machines help optimize the cost of inventory and reduce expensive wastage to deliver savings for its customers.

But that is not where it stops. It delivers benefits to all players across the value stream from civic bodies to end users and everyone in between.

Government & Civic Bodies Hospitals Businesses and Educational Institutions End Users (Students, workers, patients, etc.)
Reduces Inventory Carrying Costs

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Eliminates ‘shrink’ and hoarding

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Eliminates waste due to expired products and pharmaceuticals

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Provides real time intelligence

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Provides access to inventory while maintaining control and security

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Meets the FDA and DEA federal guidelines for pharmaceutical management

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Reduces administration costs and streamlining operations

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Increases the time apparatus trucks can be in service

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UCapit machines can make a difference in the EMS and critical supplies space by positively impacting business profitability and the lives of people. To learn more about how we can help you or your institution distribute medical supplies, you can contact us at (866) 409-2895.

The System Your Manufacturing Floor is Missing

Posted on by John Van Horn

As a supervisor in a manufacturing company, it is your job to look for ways to cut overhead costs without reducing employee productivity. One of the most efficient ways to do this is by considering your inventory management system. Do your employees have to rummage through a supply closet looking for gloves? Are they spending precious minutes searching a bin in order to find safety glasses? If so, you are wasting time and money that can be easily resolved with an efficient production floor management system.

Inventory management systems, such as Vend Safety from Intelligent Dispensing Solutions, determine how and when an employee accesses an item. In order for an employee to access a safety mask, for example, they must first swipe their employee ID card. Then, their item will be dispensed to them and it will be detailed for you in a report. Additionally, it can be set up in such a way that employees must enter a PIN number or even through biometrics. This set of safety precautions saves you money through controlled production floor inventory management.

Vend Safety allows for more accurate inventory management. It eliminates the need to spend countless hours tallying the number of face masks or gloves you have on hand. Instead, administrators are able to track who accessed what item(s), when they accessed the item(s) and the quantity of the item they accessed. This chain of custody is critical when identifying and mitigating risks in a crisis situation, as well as is useful on an inventory management basis during normal operating circumstances. 

iQ Technology, Vend Safety’s proprietary software, saves you time by cutting down on inventory management. Eliminate the hours spent on counting inventory and organizing your supply closet. iQ Technology has reporting that details inventory information for you. This eliminates wasting money on unnecessary supplies and allows you to reallocate your time to something more important. 

“The integration of IDS’ iQ Technology software with our existing point-of-sale (POS) system drives the success of our 300 machines healthy vending program. Plus, the software’s real-time reporting and alerts allow us to manage the program efficiently and effectively,” states Julie Hedine, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Pasco County School District.

In addition to offering automatic dispensing solutions, many companies are looking into offering personal protective equipment to supply to companies to stock their equipment. Offering both dispensing equipment and the PPE supplies to stock them moves the responsibility of maintaining your equipment and supplies from you, back to us. It reduces the time you spend with PPE replenishment. 

Inventory management solutions can come in the form of an automatic supply dispenser or a supply locker. Supply dispensers allow employees to increase productivity and reduce employee downtime by spreading out your storage to your point of use. They ensure your team has exactly what they need, when and where they need it. Supply lockers provide secure accountability for reusable assets and consumable products. Single and multiple item dispense, check-in/check-out, loan periods and asset management are all possible with supply lockers. 

Supply dispensers are useful for products of varying shapes and sizes. They are especially useful for one-time-use products or products that should not be shared amongst employees, such as safety glasses and face masks. Trays within the dispenser can be configured to provide employees with large items, such as boxes of alcohol wipes, to something small, such as earplugs.

For items of various shapes and sizes that need to be returned for others to use, such as tools, you may find a supply locker to be more useful. Supply lockers are adjustable and can be made to have anywhere from 3 compartments to up to 22 compartments. Additionally, select supply lockers include interior lighting and chargers within each compartment. This allows your employees to recharge tools, if necessary before someone else needs to use them. Both supply dispensers and supply lockers can be attached, with the help of a satellite supply locker.

“Our vending machines are great and perform like they’re brand new,” says Daniel Bolens, Desktop Services Specialist at JAMF Software. “IDS is the perfect solution and working with them is a very positive experience. We evaluated other suppliers and IDS had the best technological solution. The machines are embraced by the team and popular in the office.” 

Implementing an inventory management system in your manufacturing company allows you to cut back on time and money spent organizing supply closets and ensuring your employees are not hoarding supplies. Whether you are on the lookout for supply dispensers, supply lockers or a combination of both, Intelligent Dispensing Solutions has an inventory management solution to help cut overhead costs within your manufacturing company.

For more information about Vend Safety, or any other IDS products, give us a call at 1-877-771-4446.

Vending Solutions in Public Premises

Posted on by John Van Horn

If you happened to walk by a vending machine in a public place, you probably wouldn’t bat an eye. However, if you took a closer look inside the contents of THESE University and Public vending machines, you just may stop for a closer look. Make no mistake: vending machines house a lot more than just soft drinks and potato chips these days, as these particular solutions go a long way towards proving.

  1. Shippensburg University

Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania recently made headlines when it outfitted its campus with a vending machine stocked entirely with health-related items. Located within the campus’ student health center, this innovative dispenser caused a great deal of controversy when the university announced it would offer Plan B, also commonly referred to as “the morning-after pill.”

  1. Sacramento California

Nothing is worse than needing a roll of duct tape and not having it, but thanks to one dedicated vending machine manufacturer employees of many Sacramento government agencies will never have to worry about this again. Many vending machines have been deployed throughout the area that are stocked with industrial equipment like duct tape, rubber gloves and more.

  1. The University of Florida

Students at the University of Florida will never find themselves without a notebook, pencil or other important item in the near future. The University of Florida recently installed office vending machine options in their libraries that sell school supplies like note cards, blue books, pens, pencils and beyond.

Benefits of Vending Machines for Hospitals

The key takeaway from these vending machines is that the machines themselves can be highly customized to fit the environment they’re placed in. Take a scrub vending machine, for example. ScrubTrak is one such option that not only allows medical professionals quick access to scrubs and other important items they need to do their jobs, but it also offers an unparalleled level of functionality to businesses. ScrubTrak allows a vending machine to be stocked with multiple sizes of items, can track both purchase and returns for detailed reporting, offers insight into buying patterns to be used for more informed purchasing decisions in the future.

Benefits of Vending Machines for Office Employees and Management

 

These benefits don’t just stop at universities and hospitals, however – thanks to companies like iVendTech, office and IT employees can also get in on the action. iVendTech offers a wide range of office vending machine solutions designed to make sure employees always have access to the important office supplies they need when they need them the most. These machines also come with will-call lockers, real-time reporting, advanced inventory management and control capabilities and more.

One thing is for sure – the days of vending machines being “just” a way to get a quick snack in during the day are long gone. With innovative dispensers offering an incredible level of customization based on the environment they find themselves in, they’re taking a bold step in the direction of becoming an integral fixture in all of our lives once again.

For hospital and medical facility managers, we highly recommend that you check out the ScrubTrak site and features.

For office supplies and IT management we highly recommend that you check out the iVendTech site and features.

Prescription Drug Vending Machine Brought on Campus

Posted on by John Van Horn

Over the last few years, you’ve no doubt gotten used to the fact that vending machines are no longer just a source for soft drinks and salty snacks. You’ve probably purchased at least one electronic device from a vending machine in an airport, or have at least seen someone do so. You’ve maybe even used a DVD vending machine or gotten your morning paper in much the same way. Now, providers are taking things to the next level by offering prescription dispenser units and other medical vending machine options.

Arizona State University’s Prescription Medication Vending Machine

In 2014, Arizona State University became one of the first educational institutions in the country to install a prescription dispenser on campus. Located in the Health Services Building, this unit was designed to help both make sure that people had quick and easy access to the medical supplies that they needed and to increase efficiency within that organization at the exact same time.

The medical vending machine was designed to fill the medical prescriptions of both students and university employees at a moment’s notice. By using a voucher with identifying information that itself is tied to a very specific code, any doctor could prescribe medication to a patient that could then be picked up at the vending machine within 24 hours.

This advancement couldn’t have come at a better time, too, as the pharmacy at Arizona State University closed just a few weeks prior. Thanks to the prescription dispenser, people were able to continue getting the service they needed without transferring to other pharmacies or seeing any other type of negative impact at all.

At its launch, the prescription medication vending machine offered the 50 medications that were most commonly prescribed to students on campus. Based on the type of software that the machine was powered with, this could change on a regular basis as trends did. If a new medication were to creep into that top 50, it would be added to the list and something that was less likely to be prescribed would be removed.

UCapIt

UCapIt is just one example of a company that is offering controlled access pharmaceutical dispensing options to healthcare organizations around the world on a daily basis. UCapIt solutions are armed with state-of-the-art software that allows not only for instant recording whenever a purchase is made, but also for things like detailed reporting, the tracking of who has access to which types of supplies, advanced inventory management capabilities and more.

This is just one example of the many ways that medical vending machine technology is positively impacting the lives of people all over the world on a daily basis. For students at Arizona State University, they found the process of filling a prescription was easier than ever before. It’s easy to picture a time not too far from now where these types of medical vending solutions are rolled out beyond college campuses and are located in drug stores, pharmacies and other locations across the world.

Hospital Scrubs in Public? What Are Your Thoughts?

Posted on by John Van Horn

Have you ever found yourself walking down the street or on the train during the morning commute and next to you is someone wearing a classic pair of hospital scrubs? What you’re seeing may be a bit more than just someone on their way to or from work – you may be looking at someone exposing everyone around them to danger, depending on the situation.

According to a recent report out of Tampa Bay, Florida, many local hospitals in the area were found to either have poor enforcement or no enforcement whatsoever regarding how often healthcare professionals need to clean their scrubs, change their scrubs and whether they’re allowed to be worn in the first place outside of the hospital environment.

The Dangers of Wearing Scrubs in Public

When it comes to things like germ and pathogen transfer, scrubs in public represent something of a two way street. In certain situations, a person who wears a pair of scrubs in an operating room or other emergency room environment could take pathogens from that location out into the world with them if they wear their scrubs when they leave the building. While it is unlikely that a doctor would go fresh from the operating room down the street to lunch without changing, it is still a very real concern.

However, it is not the biggest issue that this situation poses. A person who is allowed to wear their scrubs out in public could potentially bring outside contaminants INTO a highly sensitive medical environment, thus posing a risk to patients, other medical professionals and more. This is a large part of the reason why it is recommended that hospitals and other healthcare facilities institute a policy regarding where scrubs should and should not be worn and how often they need to be cleaned moving forward.

The Benefits of a Scrub Dispenser

ScrubTrak, a scrub dispenser from Intelligent Dispensing Solutions, is a piece of equipment that is designed to help relieve exactly these types of problems in the most innovative ways possible. Scrubs are dispensed from a vending machine, similar to the way you might pick up a candy bar or a cold snack on your lunch break. Not only can healthcare professionals keep a clean pair of scrubs within arm’s reach at all times, but the machine itself is also tied directly to both the healthcare facility’s inventory and to a user ID and other identifying account information. Administrators can keep track of how scrubs are being used, how long they’re being used and more – all from one innovative solution.

Wearing scrubs out in public could pose a danger to everyone who comes into contact with such a person, which is why innovative solutions like the medical scrub dispenser are so important in the first place. They’re using the latest that technology has to offer to make the world a safer, healthier place for everyone involved.

School Supply Vending Machine & Healthy Snack Alternatives | Why Students Love Them

Posted on by John Van Horn

School Supply Vending Machine & Healthy Snack Alternatives - Why Students Love Them

In recent years, vending machines in schools have become a huge source of debate. There are some parents who believe that if their child purchases a snack from a vending machine, they will choose something unhealthy, such as chips, cookies, soda or candy. But this is not always the case. In fact, thanks to modern refrigerated vending machine technology, nutritionists on staff, and other factors, schools are making smarter and healthier options regarding what they offer their students. This means children can choose a healthy snack from a vending machine, while the school benefits from the profits.

Making a Healthy Selection

Schools have the option to choose healthy snack alternatives, if desired. They can select from healthy crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks, baked chips, Special K bars and more. There are also schools that implement the 100 calorie packs of cookies, to provide something sweet. This is all by choice. While vending machine suppliers will provide whatever is requested, it is up to the schools to request the healthier options.

Student’s Views on Vending Machines

Kids love the idea of vending machines in schools they can quickly and easily choose what they want to eat. This offers a sense of independence that most kids appreciate, especially as they get older. And by providing healthy alternatives, adults are still helping to guide them in their decision making.

Other Benefits Offered by Vending Machines in Schools

Another benefit offered by placing vending machines in schools is the profit. The extra funds are able to go toward other things that the school needs, such as books, computers, art supplies, etc. The money may also go to sports teams or even after school clubs.

Yet another benefit of the integration of vending machines in schools is the fact that they provide children with options if they forget their lunch, or do not want what the cafeteria is serving that day. This ensures that each child receives something to eat and they do not have to go hungry or thirsty during the day.

Other Purposes of Vending Machines

In addition to providing food and drinks for students, there are also school supply vending machines. This means if a child does not have paper, pencils or anything else required during the day, they can purchase what they need quickly and easily from a vending machine.

They key to reaping all the benefits offered by healthy snack and school supply vending machines is to find a quality vending machine manufacturer who will ensure the school gets the type of machine necessary for their students. Doing so will help ensure all the benefits highlighted here. Take some time to research the vending machine services for schools to feel confident in the decision that is made and the vending machine that is selected.

The Wittern Group Announces its Commitment to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge

Posted on by John Van Horn

Intelligent Dispensing Solution’s parent company, The Wittern Group, joins 153 companies who have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge in their support for action on climate change.

DES MOINES, IOWA – December 7, 2015 – Intelligent Dispensing Solutions, announces The Wittern Group’s commitment to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge.  The official announcement from the White House highlights the commitments from 73 companies, including The Wittern Group, from across the American economy that are joining the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. With this announcement, a total of 154 companies will have signed the Pledge.  These companies have operations in all 50 states, employ nearly 11 million people, represent more than $4.2 trillion in annual revenue, and have a combined market capitalization of over $7 trillion.

By signing the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, The Wittern Group is voicing support for an outcome that takes a strong step forward toward a low-carbon, sustainable future at the COP21 Paris climate negotiations.  As a part of this Pledge, The Wittern Group is demonstrating an ongoing focus on climate action by committing to:

  • Reducing water usage by 10% by 2020
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their vending products by 45% by 2025
  • Increasing investment in low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green projects by $2 million by 2025
  • Developing long-term business plans that align with the deep DE carbonization necessary to keep global average temperatures from rising less than 2C

“Sustainability is an important initiative for Intelligent Dispensing Solutions and The Wittern Group as we look to grow our business while remaining agile amid a changing environmental landscape,” commented Heidi Chico, CEO of The Wittern Group and NAMA Board Member.  “By committing to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, The Wittern Group, along with Intelligent Dispensing Solutions, is taking a leadership role by focusing on initiatives that will increase the profile of the vending industry and demonstrate our industry’s commitment to climate action.”

The Wittern Group is one of seven National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) member companies that have committed to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge.  NAMA is the association representing the $25 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry.  These seven companies demonstrate an ongoing commitment to climate action and to voice their support for a strong outcome at the Paris climate negotiations.

“The Wittern Group recognizes that delaying action on climate change will be costly in economic and human terms, while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy will produce multiple benefits with regard to economic growth, public health, and the well being of the global environment,” commented Heidi Chico, CEO of The Wittern Group and NAMA Board Member.  “The Wittern Group is proud to be a small but integral part in addressing climate change and through this Pledge has committed to ambitious, yet achievable, goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilize clean energy alternatives.”

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About The Wittern Group

Founded in 1931 by F.A. Wittern Sr., The Wittern Group provides a full range of products and services to meet all vending needs including design, manufacturing, financing, national and international sales, re-manufacturing programs, parts, and support services. The Wittern Group is structured to help people succeed in vending.  www.wittern.com

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Contact: Heidi Chico // Tel: +1 (515) 271.8425 // E-mail: hchico@wittern.com

Have You Heard of Oasis? Robotic Retail Food Units to Bring Healthy Options to Food Scarce Areas

Posted on by John Van Horn

Have you ever wondered what type of benefits would be offered if healthy foods were available from a vending machine? While this may seem like something right out of “Back to the Future,” this is something you could be seeing in your area and very soon. Increased technology and the need to make good food accessible in food desert areas, has led to the development of this revolutionary product.

The latest Robotic Retail units will be stocked with foods such as eggs, milk, bread and healthy, prepared foods, such as salads that would otherwise only be found in a grocery store. The pricing in these units will not be astronomical either.  In fact, they’ll be right on par with what you would pay at your local grocery store. This makes getting healthy foods much easier for people who don’t live near a grocery store, don’t have a car to get there, or simply live in food scarce area.

When you shop a Robotic Retail vending machine you can pay with cash, a credit card, or a debit card, as well as with a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program card, or other food assistance cards.

These machines, which are being called the Oasis 24seven are approximately the size of a shipping container. They hold between 200 and 800 different items, weighing anywhere between one ounce to 10 pounds. When you shop with the machine you will make your selection on a computer screen, and then a robotic arm will deliver your selected items.

While there are similar machines currently on college campuses, the goal of the Oasis 24seven is to provide access to food for those who may not have it.  And not just any food – but healthy, quality foods for those who may otherwise only have access to processed options.

In addition to benefiting those in areas where access to healthy foods may be low, these machines can help to reduce issues of theft. The inventory control in this machine is superior to even the highest quality grocery store security systems. Why? Because patrons do not have access to the actual groceries. Instead, they will enter their selections into the computer screen, and then have it delivered by the robotic arm and conveyor belt.

The first Oasis 24seven healthy food vending machine is going to be located in the Greater Des Moines area. However, if the trial run goes well, there is a good chance you will see one in your local area before you know it.