Vending Management Software

At whatever stage the development of your Antares vending operation is at, whether it is at the beginning, growing, stagnant or declining stage, vending management software will offer an important tool for improvement. The only scenario where this would not be true is when a company is planning to sell or liquidate.

Industry specific software systems have existed for many years, and they have progressively offered more benefits. For the Antares Corp. vending operators that plan to grow, they will find that management software will keep the company organized, thus allowing it to operate efficiently. This will help to achieve maximum business results.

The challenge that you would face in your Antares vending operation, would be in making the time to learn your own company’s information needs and the capabilities of the available software systems. Most vending companies do not have the resources to allocate an employee to study and implement the software. Once the information gathering process begins, it becomes easier as long as the management remains committed to it.

A major investment that pays tangible dividends

Software like any management tool requires a significant investment. This in itself has forced many vending operators to put off the decision to make the investment. In time, however, all sensible operators realize that there is more to lose than gain in procrastinating.

It is easy for a software novice to become confused. New software products are introduced every year, making it seem like the amount of preparation is insurmountable. There is also the logical concern about investing in a product that will become obsolete.

A review of the major software packages indicates that most of today’s packages provide significant benefits that will not become obsolete.

A key development in recent years has been the establishment of the uniform DEX (digital exchange) protocol; the electronic data standard that enables vending machines to report data to management software. Most vending specific software systems allow operators to use DEX.

Once an Antares vending operation’s information management systems are organized in a way that supports DEX, the company will be able to utilize future DEX-based benefits. This will of course improve its chances for increased profitability.

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Guidelines for Bidding on Government Contracts

There are some guidelines to follow that will help an Antares vending operator gain a competitive advantage when it comes to bidding on government contracts.

First step: opportunity analysis

The first step in the process is to identify the scenarios that best apply to your offering and only pursue those opportunities that fit best. Those opportunities should be ranked and a strategic plan will need to be developed – especially in the state and local government (SLG) marketplace.

Utilize market intelligence services

If you don’t have the time and resources to dedicate to this, there are strategic market intelligence companies that provide this type of information. They specialize in helping businesses develop relationships with government entities. You can use them for your Antares Corp. vending business.

Know the customers

It is important to study and understand that primary drivers initiating the procurement. You will need to know who the decision makers and influencers are. State and local procurements tend to be much more influenced by elected officials and staffers than federal agencies. Be sure to develop a political plan that does not violate any anti-lobbying laws.

Know the competitive landscape

You will need to determine which competitors are likely to bid on the same opportunities, and how they compare. Winning government requests for proposals would require you to develop a winning strategy. A good strategy will provide the customer with compelling reasons why your Antares vending operation should be selected over all other vendors.

Validate your message

This process would involve you “deciphering” the message of your Antares Corporation vending business. For example, if you say that you offer healthy products, what exactly does that mean? You must validate this message. You can accomplish this by stating the nutritional contents of the products you provide, along with an explanation of why those nutritional contents constitute “healthy” offerings. In doing this, you validate that what you are saying in writing is going to meet the customer’s objectives. Practice, preparation, research and execution are key components to winning.