Vendors Learn the Benefits of Internet Commerce

The Internet is having an impact on everybody’s life, both business and personal. Even automatic merchandising, known for its slowness to change, has shown signs of utilizing e-commerce. E-commerce will enable Antares vendors to conduct all types all types of transactions faster and more accurately. The ability to access resources over the Internet has already given vending managers new tools in the areas of parts ordering, product ordering, rebate management and even equipment buying.

Antares vending operators will in the future use the internet to order products and access all types of information.

E-commerce includes many applications

When a business “goes online,” it may do so initially for one reason, such as being able to communicate to branch managers via email. Your Antares operations will soon find it needs to be able to make use of the same tools to maintain its competitive edge.

Are online transactions secured?

Some vending and foodservice managers have expresses concerns about security of online transactions. Web based ordering can be secure by using encryption. Encryption software is not cost prohibitive and is readily available. There are some vending operators that believe similar savings will occur when vend product distributors start taking orders online. The food service industry is several years ahead of vending in Internet-based order entry.

Vendors are not asking for it

The system that you use for your vending business should be capable of offering online ordering. However, customer feedback has indicated that there isn’t enough operator interest to justify the investment.

Several vend product distributors reported developing online ordering programs. Some said they were uncertain that enough operators would take advantage of it. Earlier attempts to implement centralized ordering alienated vendors, who complained that there wasn’t enough personal sales support.

The benefits of internet based order entry have proven themselves over time. The vending industry should take advantage of this. Manufacturers and distributors have to believe that enough operators will utilize these systems before they invest in them. There are a number of Antares operators as well as other vending operators that are making use of the internet in their business transactions, so this is something that will slowly happen.