The vending and coffee services industry is at a turning point.
Rising costs, tighter margins, labor challenges, and increasingly complex service areas are forcing operators to rethink how they run their businesses. The old model—fixed routes, manual checks, and gut-feel decision-making—is no longer sustainable at scale.
Today, data isn’t a luxury. It’s a requirement.
And that’s exactly where Vendon comes in.
“We have more than 100,000 connected machines in the field,” says Janis, Head of Sales at Vendon. “Every single day, those machines are sending data.”
That constant flow of information is powering a fundamental shift—from reactive operations to intelligent, data-driven decision-making.
The Cost of Inefficiency
For years, operators relied on routine.
Machines were visited daily or weekly, regardless of need. Trucks were stocked with excess inventory to avoid running out. Time, fuel, and labor were spent solving problems that often didn’t exist.
But in today’s environment, inefficiency is expensive.
“You don’t need to go to a machine just because you go there every day,” Janis explains. “You go because there is a need—or because there could be a need.”
That distinction is critical.
Data-driven operations allow businesses to:
- Eliminate unnecessary service visits
- Reduce fuel and labor costs
- Improve machine uptime
- Ensure products are available exactly when needed
Instead of reacting, operators can act with precision.
Full Visibility and Control in One Platform
Vendon’s platform is designed to give operators something they’ve historically lacked: full visibility.
From a single dashboard, users can monitor their entire fleet in real time:
- Which machines are operational
- Which need refilling
- Which require maintenance
- What products are selling—and at what times
“As an operator, you log in and immediately see what’s going on,” says Janis. “How many machines are running, which ones have problems, and which should be visited.”
But visibility is just the starting point.
Vendon connects that data directly to execution—helping operators plan routes, assign tasks, and optimize daily workflows.
“Once you identify which machines need attention, you can plan who goes where and in what sequence,” he adds. “And that can all be done automatically.”
From Reactive to Predictive
Perhaps the biggest advantage of a data-driven approach is the ability to look ahead.
“It’s not just about looking back,” Janis says. “It’s also about looking forward.”
By analyzing real-time and historical data, operators can:
- Anticipate demand spikes
- Adjust refill schedules proactively
- Prevent machine failures through early warnings
- Optimize inventory based on actual consumption patterns
This predictive capability transforms operations from reactive to strategic.
Turning Data Into Profit
The impact isn’t theoretical—it’s measurable.
In one example, Vendon worked with a large manufacturing company operating hundreds of coffee machines. After connecting just a small sample for a short trial, the data revealed a costly inefficiency.
“We found around 600 liters—about 180 gallons—of milk that wasn’t actually used to make beverages,” Janis explains.
The issue came down to process: machines were being fully refilled late in the day, despite lower evening demand.
With simple adjustments—refilling less and shifting service timing—the company immediately reduced waste.
“Even with a small pilot, they could see the effect right away,” he says.
That’s the power of data: uncovering problems that would otherwise remain invisible—and turning them into savings.
Solving a Fragmented Industry
One of the biggest barriers to adopting data-driven operations has been system fragmentation.
Most operators manage equipment from multiple manufacturers, each with its own interface and reporting system. The result is disconnected data and inefficient workflows.
Vendon eliminates that complexity.
“We’re compatible with around 400 different machines,” says Janis. “Machines speak the same language, but with different dialects—and we know how to interpret them.”
By consolidating all machine data into a single platform, Vendon gives operators a unified, accurate view of their business.
“No need to log into multiple systems,” he adds. “Everything is in one place.”
The Real Challenge Is Mindset
Despite the clear benefits, transitioning to a data-driven model isn’t just about technology—it’s about mindset.
“Putting a telemetry device into a machine is easy,” Janis says. “The difficult part is changing how you operate.”
Many companies, even large ones, still rely on outdated processes. Shifting to data-driven operations requires rethinking routes, workflows, and decision-making habits.
But the payoff is significant.
“You can save time, automate planning, and make better decisions every day,” he says.
Why Vendon, Why Now
As the industry evolves, the gap between data-driven operators and traditional ones is widening.
Those who embrace technology are gaining efficiency, reducing costs, and improving service quality. Those who don’t risk falling behind.
Vendon positions itself as a practical, proven solution—not just a concept.
With 15 years of experience and a global footprint, the company has already solved many of the challenges operators face when adopting telemetry and analytics.
“We’re not just showing technology,” Janis says. “We’re showing how operators can run their business better.”
Data Driven Operations Will Be the Standard
Data-driven operations are no longer a competitive advantage—they’re becoming the standard.
In a world where efficiency defines profitability, the ability to see, understand, and act on real-time information is essential.
Vendon delivers exactly that.
“We’re giving operators the tools to understand what’s happening,” Janis says. “And once you understand it, you can improve it.”
For an industry built on movement, timing, and precision, that shift may be one of the most important evolutions yet.
Operators can see Vendon’s platform in action at The NAMA Show in Los Angeles.
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