Features of Planet Antares

Planet Antares is the largest and the most reliable vending machines manufacturer in the industry. Since its inception in 1986, the company has never looked back and has worked always to create something new.

Vending, is one business that can sustain on its own once started on a thriving platform. It provides you opportunities and else all depends on you how you make the best out of that opportunity. If you provide better services and better products you will definitely generate lucrative revenues.

Planet Antares has invented some of the most excellent machines meeting the requirements of the customers and distributors. It has invented many hassle free vending machines for smoother functioning and better productivity.

Planet Antares is the only vending machine manufacturer that holds the only Patent Pending application for ‘Office Deli’ with the United States Patent and Trademark Office because of the fact that it is one of a kind machine. This machine consists of multiple machines that can store drinks and snacks both. Both these machines have been connected to a same circuit board making it an efficient machine that requires lesser space.

With such a vast experience in the vending business that spreads over more than 21 years, Planet Antares has provided the best services to one and to all. It has not left any stone unturned to provide total satisfaction to its customers and distributors in terms of product and services.

Planet Antares offers time to time guidance and support to its distributors for the expansion and establishment of their vending business. It supports them in acquiring their preferred location and assist them in purchasing products at reduce prices from some of the best wholesalers. And it even gives additional benefits to its old distributors like exclusive re-order pricing on new ‘Office Delis’.

Since machines manufactured by Planet Antares are convenient to use, high in productivity, equipped with the latest and the newest technology, your business is bound to get beneficial income in a short span of time.

Planogram Design in Vending Machine

Vending is undoubtedly most profitable business. But success can be gained without hard work. In order to become successful vending operator, a lot of planning and strategic implementation of plans is required.

Usually vending operators do a lot of market research before arriving at the product they would like to vend in their machine. Category management has proved to be highly beneficial in this regard. This is designed to enable you to get benefited by the market research while choosing products for your machine. Planogram can be designed in three steps:

• By identifying product categories

• Allocating space to each product category.

• Segregating specific products under each category

Once all items are broadly classified, they need to be further divided into smaller categories. The lower the number of categories, the easier it would be to design a planogram. On the contrary, the more the number of categories, the greater would be the variety in planogram.

Post categorisation, you also need to allocate space in your vending machine. At least one facing should be available for each category. The number of categories will also depend on the category sales and how well these products fit in your shelf.

Another important aspect is product selection and for this you need to consider the below:

• Core products: These are the products which are always in demand. 20% of product mix offered in vending machine usually represents its core products.

• Cycle products: These are filled in each machine during menu cycle.

• Choice products: Few items are offered in one particular location.

Separate planograms are created by vending operators for each location. This design allows vending operators to have complete control over the products they would like to stock in their vending machine. It is advisable for vending operators to make use of latest technology for ensuring smooth sales and thus incur stable revenue.

Quality Control-Key To Successful Vending

It quite natural for most of us to get motivated and take up vending business after hearing so many success stories. Vending business is no doubt a gate way to financial stability and individual prosperity. It has been observed that vending industry has witnessed drastic growth in the last few years. The main reason for this tremendous growth is change in lifestyle and food habits of individuals.

Experts predict that this growth is only going to continue in times to come. Careful planning and strategically designed approach is sure to help you in reaping substantial profits from this business. The main factor that would influence the success of this business is quality of products you stock in your machine.

Irrespective of what operators have to offer, customers only look for best quality products. They will not only get disappointed but also spread bad reputation if standard products are not offered. Therefore the most important step an operator need to take up after installation of his vending machine is to stock it with best quality products.

Vending machines need to be stocked with quality products at all times. If you compromise on the quality, you will lose repeat customers and also good will among the market. Since word of mouth spreads faster than anything else, this is going to drastically affect your sales and hence your profits.

Few tips on maintaining quality in vending machine:

• Always buy new vending machines of reputed brands from established companies like Planet Antares.

• Service your machine regularly following the service manual.

• Try to vend branded products in your machine as their manufacturers comply to strict quality control norms during their production.

• Keep your vending machine and its surroundings clean. Hygiene is very important especially if you are vending food products.

• Check for expiry dates and replace stocks that have gone pass their expiry dates.

• In case of any breakages, contact manufacturing company for taking up necessary repairs.

• Avoid purchasing of used and refurbished machines as they are more prone to malfunctions and break downs.

These tips can help you in offering quality products to your customers at all times. Serving customers with quality food products will not only generate repeat business but also boost up your sales and create an identity for you in the market.

Vending Repairs

The success of vending business is greatly influenced by the efficiency and effectiveness of your vending machine. Prompt repairs and servicing will ensure proper functioning of vending machine.

Another thing which operators needs to ensure while purchasing vending machines is, always purchase new vending machines from reputed and established companies. This will avoid frequent break down of machine and related mechanical issues. Several companies selling wide varieties of vending machines are available in the market. But be careful while you purchase a new machine as there are several companies that try to mislead you by their false commitments. Do a thorough market research and browse the net if required to identify the best machine.

Apart from selling best quality vending machine, an established and reputed company like Planet Antares will also guide the operator by giving detailed tips on how to tackle minor repairs. An operator should equip himself with technical know-how related to handling minor repairs. This will not only save costs for the operator but also ensure smooth and uninterrupted functioning of vending machine.

It has been observed over time that most minor problems can get fixed at site of the vending machine itself. While very few serious problems where heavy machines are required are fixed at the shop. All necessary information related to vending machine repairs are provided by the seller himself at the time of sale.

As the famous saying goes “Prevention is better than cure”, ensure you maintain your machine properly in order to avoid malfunctioning or sudden break down of machine. Regular lubrication of all spare parts of the machine will make sure that the machine works smoothly without any interruptions.

Operators need to bear one thing in mind. Vending is a completely customer oriented business and the success of this business is directly dependent on how satisfied your customers are. A satisfied customer would revisit your machine again and again. Not only this, he would also spread the good will about your machine by referring it to few other friends or close associates. Thus your sales would get boosted up.

Elements of healthy vending

Earlier vending machines were blamed of vending junk food which was unhealthy and led to problems like obesity. There was a time when vending machines were being banned from school as these were considered as the major factor for children getting fat. Not only this, in general it was observed that people would consider buying junk food from vending machines as this was a convenient way and would save them a lot of time.

However, now vending operators have realised how the eating habits of Americans are changing and have started placing healthy food items in their vending machines so that people can get the option of buying healthy food without any danger of getting fat.

Vending operators now stock their machines with nutritious snacks and zero calories beverages in their vending machines for health conscious buyers. Such machines are kept in schools, colleges and health clubs so that people can eat healthy food whenever needed.

Here are few points that you should consider while starting your health vending business.

Buy vending machines from a reputed company like Planet Antares
Stock your machine with low carb and high protein food
Some of the healthier options can be pretzels, baked potato chips, low fat cookies, and crackers, granola, fruit bars, nuts, low carb snack bars and diet soft drinks, bottled water and fruit juices and many more.

Make the nutrition information available at the point of purchase.

As a Planet Antares vending business owner, if you follow the above points wou will surely be able to meet the demands of people and will be ready to take your business to the next level.

Vending A Perfect Cash Generating Business

There is no doubt in saying that vending is the highest cash generating business of all times. However, if you have some financial crisis, then this business can be started with limited budget initially. The amount needed to start this business is reasonable when compared to other forms of businesses.

The initial capital invested in this business can be used for purchasing vending equipment, products and pay for the location (if it is a hired one). Apart from this you would also need liquid cash for carrying out day to day operations.

Never start any business in haste. A lot of thorough market research and planning would be helpful in successfully running your business. An upcoming vending operator needs to carefully jot down the possible expenses that ma be incurred. Both long term and short term expenses needs to be included. Commissions to be paid, cost of stock to be purchased, electricity bills to be paid and permit fee should be considered while estimating expenses.

In case you are in a financial crunch, then these funding alternatives may be useful for you.

• Leasing: Now a days almost all manufacturers or suppliers are coming up with financing and leasing options. Few manufacturers may even allow you to pay the amount in easy monthly instalments. This method is highly beneficial for new and upcoming vending operators.

• Loans: Banks and other financial institutions may also help you. To avail these kinds of loans, you need to prepare a detailed business plan stating your objective and goal of starting this business. If you meet all the requirements, you loan is sure to get approved.

• Tax: Every vending operator needs to act smart and make wise decisions. You have to use the tax loopholes for your own business advantage. Several subsidies are available for new operators, these can be shown as expenses and thus reduce taxable income.

Several financial institutions are set up with a view to serve new and upcoming entrepreneurs. Making use of them is better than starting a vending business with meagre funds. To get more insight into this business, get in touch with Planet Antares staff and get all the knowledge about vending industry from the experts.

Marketing Vending Business through Websites

What do you refer to in order to gather information? Nearly more than 50% would browse the net for gathering information on various items. Be it about travel, education, recreation and many more. We all make use of internet to collect information. This has made internet one of the popular modes for advertising.

Most operators resort to websites with several objectives like:

• Increase sales.
• Create awareness among customers about the company, products offered and services provided.
• As prefer alternative for advertising.
• Offer convenience and simplify the process of developing new business proposals.

Designing website is no doubt a best alternative. But operators need to make sure that the purpose of website is solved i.e. users should be able to get the information they are looking for in less time. Also operators should ensure that appropriate technology is being used and there are no unnecessary distractions.

Several website are sprouting up on a day to day basis without considering these simple rules. The result is, they fail to capture customer attention. The website design should be in such a way that you are able to grasp the attention of the user and retain him for long hours and thus generating more leads.

The visual effect of your website is very crucial. Apart from attractive design, it should be able to make use of company logo, business cards, letterheads, brochures and signage.

The idea here is to be catching, simple and at the same time highly informative. To make this possible, create a site that is attractive and contains maximum information in the upper portion of the web page. Design it keeping in mind industry standards.

These things if considered while designing your website can make it a huge success and promote your business. For any other information on promoting your vending business you can contact Planet Antares staff and get guidance from experts.