What is the difference between “Curbside Polling”, “Pre-Kit” Forecasting and Dynamic Scheduling?
10 September, 2008 (17:31) | Questions and Answers | By: Chuck Reed, MEI
Curbside polling, Pre-Kit forecasting, and Dynamic Scheduling each represent an attempt to automate the vending machine replenishment process in effort to increase efficiency, accuracy and profitability associated with machine replenishment activities. Vending machine replenishment activities on the route represent perhaps the single most costly aspect of any vending operation. Too often these activities are hardly more than an exercise in faith. Faith that the machines are being serviced as needed, with the appropriate product and return of an appropriate amount of associated revenue.
Curbside Polling and Dynamic Scheduling represent two types of wireless data communication with vending machines. Curbside polling is based on local area network (LAN) wireless communication from a properly equipped vending machine to the delivery vehicle equipped with a compatible LAN radio in close proximity to each other (usually not more than a couple of hundred yards). The absence of “air time” charges with this type of communication protocol makes it a very attractive, cost effective way of getting the freshest data possible about the replenishment status of a vending machine prior to leaving the delivery vehicle.
Dynamic Scheduling is based on wide area network (WAN) wireless communication with appropriately equipped vending machines and promises a significant change in the machine replenishment process.