Methods for Controlling Cash in Vending

The number one reason vending operators install software management solutions and choose to utilize DEX is to better control cash shortages and product shrinkage in their operations. This is where a software system working with DEX data can provide tremendous control.

Traditionally, the first method Antares vending operators used to reconcile cash is comparing cash collected to product sold out of a vending machine. This method works, but it requires that a driver inventory a machine every time cash is collected.

This method can be completely circumvented by a driver ‘running his own product through the Antares vending machines. In that case, the driver makes out like a bandit by running his product through the operator’s assets.

Cash and vend meter methods

The second method that Antares operators can employ for controlling cash is the use of a vend meter in a single price machine, or a cash meter in multi priced machines. Cash and vend meters always provide cumulative data that is compared to the previous reading to determine the difference.

This method can work, but it is dependent on the driver accurately recording the meter readings. In some cases, drivers can still get away with running their own products through the machines by calculating and reporting false meter readings. The Antares operator can catch this during an audit of the machine’s meter readings.

Obviously capturing the cash meter reading electronically from a machine via a DEX reading during the service tightens up most of the process. The driver will never see the meter reading and it will be captured accurately using a tamper proof method. In this way the driver can never sell his own products the Antares vending machine. This will not immediately solve all cash control problems because capturing a cash meter via DEX goes a long way to preventing most cash control problems. The driver who takes $1 per day from each machine can only be caught by analyzing trends over time. Most Antares operators would agree that it is much harder to prove a driver did anything wrong unless it can be shown within a short period of time that there is money missing.