Planet Antares Vending | Planet Antares

Know how to start a vending machine business

2010-04-13T09:44:00.001-07:00

Vending is no doubt a very simple and highly profitable business option if and only if you know how to operate it. Even though most of us have the desire of starting our own vending business, most of the time we hesitate to go any further due to lack of proper guidance. In such situation this article would be of great assistance to you.

An operator has two options when it comes to setting up a vending machine business. You can start this business either by purchasing and existing vending route or start from the scratch on your own. Even though vending is a profitable business, just like other business models, success is not guaranteed. In fact you cannot predict the amount of revenue you would be able to generate from this business.

Just like any other business, success or failure of vending depends on the location in which you have installed the machine, on the kind of machine you have purchased, the type of product you dispense, target audience and most importantly the kind and quality of customer service rendered by you. Time and again it has been proved that starting a vending machine business on your own is always advisable as operator has complete control over every single decision he/she makes.

It is mandatory that every operator intending to start Planet Antares vending machine business needs to conduct thorough market research. This would help you familiarise with lot of issues that directly or indirectly influence the success of your business. Operators also need to understand the rules and regulations governing vending operations in that particular state. You also need to obtain a license and maintain proper records of all financial transactions for tax purpose. If you have hired a vending location, you would also need to pay some commission to the owner out of total profits generated by you.

You also need to have clarity about the products you would like to sell in your vending machine. There is no point in investing money on a machine that will not generate any profits. If you are a novice in this industry then start with a product that can sell well in all kinds of locations. This can reduce the risk involved in the business.

These things if kept in mind can make your entire journey smooth and hassle free.

Starting A Planet Antares Vending Machine Business

2010-04-07T08:47:00.001-07:00

All of us aspire to run our own business and become masters of our own destiny. If you are thinking in the similar manner, vending business is perfect for you. This is a very profitable business venture that can make you financially independent within a sort span of time.

There are several advertisements and false promises given by manufacturers trying to mislead you. A successful vending machine operator needs to act smart and should not fall prey to these misguiding ads. There are hundreds of models of vending machines available in the market. Choosing one among them is quite challenging. Hence it is imperative for the operator to conduct a thorough market research.

Market research is mandatory for any business. This research would empower operator with information like present market scenario, scope for new entrants, latest products, customer tastes and preferences and products with maximum demand that is crucial for success of your business.

Once you understand what customers are looking for, you can decide on the product you would like to vend depending on your target audience. If you are targeting kids, then choose products like chocolates, ice creams, pizzas, plastic toys etc that can draw attention of kids.

After you have identified the product you would like to vend, decide on the kind of machine you would like to use. These days a variety of machines are available in the market which are capable of vending more than two products at a time. So, depending upon you requirement, you can select the machine.

Your next move would be to stock them with sufficient quantity of products and install them in a location that includes maximum number of target customers. Location is one of the major factors that determine the success of your business. So, make sure you find a location that has maximum customer traffic.

If in any case you are unable to identify the most potential location for your Planet Antares machine all by your self, then you can take the help of a placement company. These aspects if borne in mind can make your business a huge success.

How to Start a Planet Antares Vending Business

2010-03-24T22:39:00.001-07:00

Now that you have decided to start your own vending business, the first issue that arises is purchase of a vending machine. This is a very important issue as it can make or break your business. There is always certain amount of dilemma in the minds of people taking up this business for the first time. What kind of machine should I purchase? Which is the best place for purchasing a vending machine? Should I go for a new or a used vending machine? These and many other questions keep haunting entrepreneurs. This article is only an attempt made to answer these questions.

Unlike traditional vending machine, modern vending machines are able to dispense a whole range of products starting from gumball, snack and soda, combo, coffee, DVD and even iPod. Choosing one from among this list is quite challenging for any operators. However, several factors need to be considered for arriving at a machine that could guarantee you success.

The best way at arriving at the right kind of machine is by browsing the net and gathering information about various models available in the market and benefits associated with them. One more thing which operators need to consider before purchasing any vending machine is the product you would like to dispense in this machine. This is essential since the choice of the machine you purchase also depends on the product you offer.

Operators should always remember that different vending machines are capable of dispensing different products and different products sell well in different locations. So before finalising on the vending machine, you need to have clarity on the kind of product you would like to dispense in them and the potential location for placing your machine.

Your scale of operation or size of business also influences the kind of machine you need to purchase. If you are taking up this business for the first time, it is always advisable to start with small and simple vending machines. On the other hand if you are an existing operator in quest of expansion then you can go ahead with complicated machines that come with latest features.

These simple facts need to be considered while taking up a vending business. For more information get in touch with Planet Antares staff.

Planet Antares Vending Business

2010-03-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

Vending is not only profitable but interesting business too. In this busy lifestyle people hardly have any time for themselves. So they are in quest for fast and instant methods to fulfil their needs. Vending is one such method that satisfies customer needs by offering products and services of their choice at the click of a button.

Apart from this vending is the only business model that does not ask for specific technical skills or knowledge. In fact anyone irrespective of his age and qualification can take up this business. The initial investment required for establishing this business is also quite low when compared to most other business models. Moreover this business does not require exclusive floor space and can even be operated from the convenience of your residence.

Some of the advantages of taking up this business are:

• Cost: The cost of starting a vending business is low when compared to any other businesses. This business does not require huge floor area, manpower and maintenance costs are also very low.

• Cash: This is a complete cash business hence there is scope of bad debts and collection issues.

• Flexibility: This business offers flexibility in terms of working hours. You can take up this business either in a full time or part time basis while still continuing with your routine job.

• Round the clock services: Unlike other businesses, vending is not bound by restricted working hours. Operators can offer their services round the clock.

• Round the year: There is no specific season and off season for vending business. The product you vend has demand throughout the year.

• Inventory: You need not maintain huge stocks of inventory in ware houses. This business can be run by maintaining minimal level of inventory.

• Easy business: Planet Antares vending is a very simple and easy business that does not required any expertise or specific skills. Anyone can run this business.

• Wide open market: There are no boundaries within which you need to operate. The market is huge and wide open for everyone.

• Branded products: Branded products that have national and international recognition are vended using these machines.

• Tax exemption: Like other businesses, operators can enjoy tax exemption while operating vending business.

Right Kind of Vending Machine – Planet Antares

2010-03-17T03:49:00.001-07:00

The success of vending business is influenced by several factors. Kind of vending machine purchased also has a major role to play in the success journey. Several hundreds of vending machines are available in the market. Choosing one among them is quite challenging for the operator.

Vending machines available in the market can be categorised into three kinds:

Mechanical vending machines: These machines as the name denotes do not work on electricity and at the same time these machines do not come with any automated features. However there are many benefits associated with its purchase, such as

• Easy to install.
• Generates revenue in the form of cash coins.
• Easy to haulage.
• Simple refill and repairing process.
• Zero electricity bill.

The negative aspects of this business are its poor resale value and inability to generate higher returns.

Electrical vending machines: As the name suggests, these machines require electricity to work efficiently. The problems faced in mechanical vending machines can be over come by using an electrical vending machine.

Combination vending machine: In case an operator is aiming at offering more than one product at a time, combo vending machines are appropriate. Besides being attractive and easy to operate, this machine also has larger storage capacity and can also generate higher revenue.

In case you are new to this industry, it is always better to start on a small scale. Instead of going for high end models, operators should try using simple machines from Planet Antares. The main benefit with them is that they not only cost less but can also be operated and maintained easily. Before concluding, we would once again like to reiterate that the selection of vending machine is influenced by several factors including your business objectives, scale of operation and financial limitations. Hence operator needs to keep these things in mind while choosing the right vending machine.

Reasons behind Growing Popularity of Planet Antares Vending business

2010-03-04T09:56:00.001-08:00

There are very few business models that are as attractive and beneficial as a vending business. Although vending has been in existence for quite sometime, it has gained tremendous popularity in the past few years. The main reason behind this is drastic changes in life styles of people.

Modern customers hardly have any time for themselves. Hence they look for quick, easy and instant services. Vending has been able to fulfil all these requirements. Hence it has become almost a part of their life. Nowadays you find vending machines across the globe. But these machines are huge success in US when compared to the rest of the world.

What makes Planet Antares vending so popular?

• Planet Antares Vending is ideal home based business. If you are looking at additional source of income to support your family of main source to maintain yourself, vending is ideal.

• This business does not need hype and huge investment. These machines are available in all price ranges and can be installed even at your home.

• This is one of the very few businesses that allow you to reap returns right from the time you install your machine and fill it with sufficient amount of stock.

• There are very few other business opportunities that are all cash. Since vending is a hundred percent cash business, you need not worry about bad debts or other collection issues.

• There may be time limitations or restricted working hours for other businesses. Even in your absence, these machines provide services 24/7 without taking any breaks.

• All of us take up business with the sole aim of making money. When it comes to profit margins, vending business allows you to enjoy high return.

• Tax exemption is applicable to vending business also. If you fall in the 20%-30% tax bracket, then you have great chances of increasing your profits.

I am sure after going through these benefits; even you would be lured towards starting your own vending business.

Various Types of Vending Machines

2010-02-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

Vending is perhaps the only business that gained popularity both among customers and operators. Busy and hectic lifestyles have forced customers to switch to vending machine. This has resulted in more number of operators take up this business. As a result competition in this industry is getting tougher and tougher.

If you are an enthusiastic entrepreneur looking to take up Vending business, you have a wide selection to choose from. Various kinds of vending machines are available in the market. Some of them run on electricity while others run using mechanical power. All these machines come in various shapes, sizes, colors and prices.

Although several models of vending machines are existent in the market, the first thing that strikes our mind when we talk of vending is soda and snack machines from Planet Antares. These machines are quite popular among schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stations and airports. However, the oldest form of vending machines is gumball vending machine while candy machines are the most popular form of automatic vending machine.

Another kind of vending machine that is most commonly used is the carousel vending machine that is exclusively used for vending food products. Coffee machines are also quite famous and these are generally powered by electric outlets. If you want to vend two products at a time, combination vending machines are also available. The look of and design of vending machine is based on your target audience. For instance: if your intention is to attract children, sticker vending machines are ideal. These usually vend products related to children. The other machine that can help in increasing sales is the capsule vending machine. Alcoholic beverages are sold using these machines.

Popcorn vending machines are also quite popular among children and youngsters. These machines are seen occasionally during fairs and carnivals. Latest technology has helped vending operators in selling almost all products using vending machines. Modern vending machines are even capable of dispensing products like CD’s, DVD’s, Computer games, stamps and cameras. So, it is up to the operator to decide which product he would like to offer in his machine.

Advantages of Planet Antares Vending Machines

2010-02-16T09:24:00.001-08:00

A lot of controversy was spread in terms of locating vending machines in schools. It was felt that products dispensed through vending machines were the prime causes for growing obesity among school going children. The most preferred vending location for operators across the globe has always been schools. However, this accuse has changed the entire scenario.

Government, schools and parents have imposed strict restrictions on vending machines that are being installed in schools. School management has been trying to inculcate healthy eating habits among children and in order to achieve this; they have replaced junk food with more natural and healthy diet. This has lead to evolution of latest and most popular concept i.e. healthy vending.

Besides the regular advantages of vending machines to its operators, there are few benefits associated with its users. Some of these are:

• Schools and businesses can have complete control over the kind of items that are being offered in their premises.

• Planet Antares machines are of great benefit to those families where both partners are employees. These machines allow customers to get quick snacks without interrupting their work schedule.

• The overhead and maintenance costs of this machine are minimal when compared to many other businesses.

• Latest technology is a boon in disguise to vending industry. Technological advancements allow operators to serve food either hot or cold. For instance: some vending machines are able to vend hot miniature pizzas while others are capable of dispensing frozen ice creams.

• In good olden days vending machines were restricted to dispensing selected items. However, this is not the present situation. These machines are not just limited to vending food items. Some of these machines are even capable of selling DVD’s, cell phones and insurance policies.

So, if you are a vending operator, you can choose a perfect machine based on your target audience, the product you would like to dispense, your vending location and most importantly your financial limitations.

Vending Machine Business Pros and Cons

2010-02-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

Before taking up any business, it is advisable for the entrepreneur to acquire thorough knowledge about the business along with its pros and cons. One of the main advantages of vending machine business is that you only need to struggle initially while establishing the business. But once you achieve steady income and good sales and constant demand for your product, there is going to be no end for your earnings.

Having your own vending business creates regular income. Lot of people use vending machines more than once, this means that once a vending machine is installed in a location and people start accepting it, they would use it for repeat purchases. Thus it becomes a guaranteed source of income and revenue for the operator.

Based on the product you would like to offer, your location and your target audience, it is advisable to go for a new vending machine of reputed brand. Post installation, operators need to ensure that the machine is stocked with sufficient amount of products whenever required. You also need to ensure regular repairs and servicing in order to see to it that the machine functions smoothly without any interruptions.

The negative aspects of this business are location is everything for this business. Even if you invest huge money on purchasing the latest model of machine, all your time and efforts are in vain if you are unable to place it in the right location. With increase in number of companies offering these machines, there is a great scope for you to be cheated by false promises. Planet Antares is a trusted name in vending industry you can bank upon Planet Antares for the best machines.

However, the advantages associated with this business overweigh the demerits. Owning a vending machine business is a dream in itself as this is one of the very few businesses that can generate passive income with very little amount of hard work.

Step Wise Approach for Running a Vending Business

2010-02-08T18:15:00.001-08:00

Vending is an exciting business that provides substantial income and financial independence. Like any other businesses, vending does not guarantee success. Before you get into this business, you need to carefully examine what this business looks like and how you will operate it.

To begin with, every operator needs to have a predetermined goal for establishing the business. This however, varies from one individual to another. Once you have set a goal, start planning your business. The following aspects need to be included in your business planning. The segment your are going to target, products you would like to offer, would you prefer offering single product at a time or multiple products, equipment required, your estimated budget and the strategy adopted for placing them.

Besides planning, you also need to conduct thorough market research. This helps you to understand the present market scenario. In this research, you need to find out: about existing operators, their pricing strategies, various brands of vending machines used by them, how to maintain these machines? , how to get them refilled? How frequently these machines are being used? These questions will help you in choosing a unique vending machine that sets you apart from your competitors Planet Antares staff can help you understand the business and can guide you throughout your start up process.

Finally after gathering all relevant information, it is very important that you analyze your future prospects. Vending is a customer centric business and hence they play a major role for making it a success. So, operators should relentlessly try to understand their customer requirements and modify his product selection regularly. Give away free samples and fulfil their requests. Ensure prompt and best quality sales and after sales service. Since a happy customer can be retained for life long and also spreads good will for your company through his word of mouth.

Proper planning and cautious approach can make you a successful entrepreneur.

What Operators Need To Look For In Vending Machines?

2010-02-02T11:20:00.001-08:00

Vending is a vast industry that is exploring new avenues. These machines are now being used across the globe. However, there presence is seen maximum in US. This is a growing industry which has been able to create employment opportunities to several new and upcoming entrepreneurs.

Starting a business is no doubt very simple and easy. However, as an operator, you need to conduct a thorough market research and gather maximum information about this business before commencing it.

In order to run a smooth and profitable business, selecting an appropriate vending machine is very crucial. Some requirements you should be looking at before purchasing a vending machine are:

• Is the vending machine powerful and efficient? This is very important because a strong and powerful vending machine will alone be able to perform efficiently without any break downs. You can count on Planet Antares for this.

• Looks does matter in a vending business as this is an instinct sales. Hence how attractive is the machine should also be considered before investing in it. Since, an attractive design and appealing looks will catch people’s attention and create an urge in buying the product.

• Modern customers look for simple and easy means to reach his ends. So ensure that the machine you purchase has all the latest features. Latest features help in increasing performance efficiency and provide better customer service.

• Flexibility is also the key to success. A flexible machine would be able to handle multi products thereby increase the efficiency.

• An operator would be able to make huge profits by reducing his operational cost. Hence confirm if the maintenance cost of the machine in which you are about to invest is low or not. As low operations costs would mean more revenue for the operator.

• Does it come with inbuilt security features? Security features are mandatory not only from operator’s perspective but are also required to safeguard the interests of customers.

• Does it belong to an established brand? Always vending machines of established brands should be preferred. These brands have been existent in the market for quite sometime and have proved their working efficiency.

• Is it a new machine? It is always advisable to purchase a new vending machine as it has long life span and comes with a warranty.

Hygiene in Vending Machines – Planet Antares

2010-01-22T07:53:00.001-08:00

Present economy is not constant. Setting up and withstanding competition in this every changing market is quite challenging. New and innovative products are easily found in this market but offering the right kind of product is crucial for a successful business.

Vending industry is perhaps the only business model that has been able to keep pace with this changing market. As a result a wide variety of vending machines and products are being developed in proportion t customer demands. Modern vending machines are capable of providing almost everything. Scarcity of huge floor spaces and instant services to customers has resulted in development of a machine that is both quick and portable. This machine is nothing but the present vending machine which has become a part of our daily routine.

Vending machines are being used across the globe but it has been observed that their usage ratio is highest in US. It may be surprising to know that several billions of money is being put into these machines for purchasing various products. In order to maintain its standards, United States regulatory framework has come up with a set of quality standards which all manufacturers and distributors must abide by.

As per these regulations, vending machines must be manufactured using non toxic material that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. The machines should also display the products, price, and mode of payment, licensed data, and registration number, address and phone number. This information comes to aid when customers would like to lodge a complaint regarding the quality of product or similar other issues.

When it comes to food vending machines, product handling right from the time of manufacturing to stocking in vending machine, preset protocols regarding security, hygiene have to be adhered to in order to avoid contamination. in case operator is dispensing medicines or other products where expiry date plays vital role, the same has to be displayed along with sanitary number of registration and they have to be stored at required temperatures as fixed by health policy of each country.

Hence it is crucial for the operator to get himself equipment with the existing country rules and regulations for running a vending business successfully.

Vending Most Popular Business Venture

2010-01-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

Although vending has been one of the oldest business models it has gained huge popularity among people across the globe only during the last few years. These machines were initially used to dispense few selected items. However, with growing acceptance among people of all age groups, these machines are vending almost all kinds of products.

If you are a new or upcoming businessman looking for some guaranteed revenue, you can take up vending on a full time basis. On the other hand if you are already full time employee looking to make some additional income, you can take up vending on a part time basis. What makes vending so popular? This is a very common question which most of us would like to know whenever we talk of this business

• Initial cost of set up: When compared to other business opportunities, the capital required to start this business is very low.

• Instant cash flow: This is one of the very few businesses that allow you to reap returns right from the time you install your machine and fill it with sufficient amount of stock.

• Cash flow: There are very few other business opportunities that are all cash. Since vending is a hundred percent cash business, you need not worry about bad debts or other collection issues.

• 24/7 Services: There are no set working hours in vending business. Your machines would be every ready to cater to the needs of its customers round the clock all 365 days.

• ROI: When compared to other business models, the profit margin in vending business is very high this allowing you to enjoy huge returns.

• Tax exemption: Tax exemption is applicable to vending business also. If you fall in the 20%-30% tax bracket, then you have great chances of increasing your profits.

• Vending business has allowed several operators to enjoy complete financial freedom and allows you to have complete control over your money and future.

All these make vending highly preferred business opportunity. For a detailed view you can contact Planet Antares support staff and get complete guidance into the vending business.

Why Is Vending an All Time Favourite Business

2009-12-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking of a business that is least effected by recession, then vending is the perfect choice for you. As we all know this industry has only seen growth since its inception in early 80s. However, vending machines have been subjected to a lot a change before they could reach their present state. Thanks to technological advancement which has made this possible.

From a stage when they were able to vend few selected products to their present stage where almost every product is dispensed, vending machines have been through quite a long journey. All this while both customers and operators have been benefited in several ways. This is one of the main reasons for increasing popularity of these machines. Few such benefits have been mentioned below:

• Instant cash flow: In fact, this is one of the very few businesses that generate revenue right form the moment you place your machine.

• Cash business: This is an all cash business which means that there is no scope for bad debts and collection issues.

• Flexible Timings: Another amazing benefit is that regardless of what you do during the day, your machine works for you 24/7. As your machine takes care of sales, you need not worry about their supervision, training or motivation.

• Return on investment: The main purpose of any investment is to make money. This business provides you with high profit margins and greater return on investment. What else would you look for as an investor?

• Perfect business Model: No one to boss over, No set working hours, No employees, No paper work and No territory limitations. All these features make vending most preferred business opportunities.

• Part time or full time: This business gives you the unique advantage of continuing with your main occupation and take up vending as a part time activity.

• No sales force: Your machines are your sales force hence you do not require additional sales personal to be appointed.

What better business exists to get started with other than a vending business?

If you plan to start a vending business, get in touch with Planet Antares Inc. They have unique vending programs specially created for budding entrepreneurs. With unmatched product quality and services, Planet Antares is one stop destination for all your vending needs.

Why Vending Business of All Other Employment Opportunities

2009-12-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

Vending as we all know is one of the oldest business opportunities that have been in existence in the first century BC itself. However it gained prominence only in 1800’s. Initially these machines were used to vend holy water in Egyptian temples. Later as people started realising the advantages associated with these machines, they were used to vend postcards and gumballs. Thus these machines had to undergo a lot of changes before reaching their present form. Modern vending machines are used to vend almost all kinds of products.

The benefit offered by this business is the main cause of increasing popularity for this business among various classes of people. These machines offer a wide range of benefits not only for the operators but the customers in general. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Healthy products: Obesity is growing problem among all age groups. This is one reason why most organisations are encouraging healthy vending. Schools and offices use vending machines in order to have a complete control over their employees or children’s eating habits. By stocking healthy food products, healthy eating habits can be encouraged among children and employees. Planet Antares machines can stock variety of products in just one machine thereby giving choice to consumers

• Accessibility: Modern lifestyle keeps people too busy and preoccupied that they hardly find time to cook or go out for lunch. Thanks to vending machines since they provide easy access to customers by allowing them to get quick snack whenever they want.

• Profits: From an operators point of view this business is very profitable. The initial cost for setting up a vending business is low when compared to any other business. Moreover, this is a complete cash business and hence returns start pouring in right from the day of installation.

• Technology: Thanks to technological advancements, vending machines are no more restricted to selected food items. Modern vending machines are used to vend almost all products including DVD’s, mobiles, cell phones etc.

• Storage: Recent past has witnessed several machines that have been designed specifically to serve hot or cold food. For instance, some vending machines are used to vend pizzas while others are used for vending cold ice creams.

• Profits: This is in fact the only business that allows the operator to make profits right from day one of its installation.

These benefits and employment opportunities created from its demand are the driving forces for increasing number of vending operators.

How To Maximize Profits in Vending Business

2009-12-17T08:40:00.001-08:00

All of us start business with the sole aim of making profits. How to maximize profits? This is a very common question that haunts most businessmen. When it comes to vending business, location plays a major role in increasing profits. Try to choose a location that will not cost you lot of money. If you have friends or relatives who own a business, you can place your machines in their premises since they would charge you only small amount.

When trying to identify locations, negotiate for the best possible deal. It is a common practise to charge 10% to 30% of profits as rent for installing your vending machine. Try to fix a lower percentage by bargaining.

Try to keep your machines clean and in proper working condition. A clean and well maintained machine is highly successful in attracting customers and creating impulsive buying in them. You don’t need to do any major cleaning on the machines, all you need is to show up once a week to thoroughly clean and service the machine. In case you are using a glass front vending machine from Planet Antares, it should be well cleaned so that the products that are inside can be seen well. A potential customer can be taken back if he sees an improperly maintained vending machine. There is also a chance that customers may think that the products offered are old and outdated items.

Choosing location with maximum customer traffic is another way that can help you in maximising profits. High footfall would mean more chances of people buying from the machine. Since vending is impulsive buying, higher the customer traffic higher are the chances of increasing sales. The kind of products dispensed in the machine also influences your selection of location. For instance: if you vend candy, then choose location that has maximum number of kids. The product mix is influenced by your target customers. Planet Antares can help you while choosing the right location for your business.

Quality is another factor that influences revenue generation. Hence, it is important that you vend only fresh products in your machine. This will not only create goodwill among customers but also boost your sales. Another important thing to be remembered is that customers have fancy for new products. So, try to make use of this by offering latest products in your machine.

These aspects if followed properly can skyrocket your business. For a detailed view into the vending industry, get in touch with Planet Antares staff

Using Software For Successful Vending

2009-12-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

Vending industry has undergone lot of changes since its inception. Vending machine was first introduced in 215BC to vend holy water in Egyptian temples. In the initial days of its introduction, vending machine was restricted to dispensing selected products. But today the scenario is entirely different. These machines are now able to vend a wide range of products. The credit for this drastic improvement can be attributed to development in technology and introduction of latest software.

Modern vending machines come with inbuilt software like wireless data transmission and automatic transmission devices. All these devices are user friendly and help operators in several ways. Operators can now track the sale of products across counters and at the same time keep an eye on route drivers moments thus increase the performance efficiency of existing machines. Some of this software also helps in identifying any break downs in the machine.

Customer’s tastes and preferences keep changing with changing times. Handheld vending machines provide operator with data related to brand preference whenever a machine gets filled. This software is valuable to route drivers as they need not make repeated trips to the machine any more.

Handheld software has helps operators in several ways. Some of these benefits have been discussed below:

• Typographic errors can be eliminated.
• Accountability and sales analysis reports can be made available instantly.
• Management can track sales of each vending machine by utilizing cost effective brand preference analysis reports.

One of the main problems with existing accountability system is that there is greater scope for errors while counting or preparing reports by route drivers. Use of this software would avoid human intervention and reports are made available in real time. These timely reports allow you to take measure by the beginning of next business trip.

Brand analysis is primarily conducted to enhance sales and thereby gives operator an opportunity to improve profits form their existing vending business.

How to Identify New Vending Locations

2009-11-27T12:41:00.001-08:00

The most common hurdle for any vending operator is availability of funds. This is when vending operators need to adopt cold calling. Even though this is not a very popular method, it is still effective. To begin with operators need to make use of business cards or flyers that carries information about the services offered and his contact details.

Flyers designed should be short and informative. The main objective of using them is to spread information about your business in order to get contacted by people. This helps you in identifying new locations for placing your machine. If required you can also personally visit few businesses in your area to know about the existing service providers. This is the best way for identifying new locations for installing your machines.

Flyers is one of the best methods for collecting information like existing operators in the locality, most commonly used models of vending machines, their prices, services offered and other information that impacts the success of your business. Operators should keep on distributing flyers until they identify the most profitable location for installing their machine. It is always advisable to start with one vending machine initially and gradually expand business by reinvesting the revenue generated from existing machines.

Another way of identifying new locations is by advertising. But before investing in advertising, operator needs to be very careful. Huge amount is spent on advertising expecting good returns on investment and good returns would mean generating good leads and thus identify prospective locations. So, operators need to be very choosy while investing their hard earned money.

Once you collect leads, it is up to the operator to close the deal on location. One point that we would like to reiterate before closing is to choose the right place that is capable of generating huge revenue.

Things To Be Considered Before Taking Up Vending Business

2009-11-17T08:28:00.000-08:00

Few factors that attract most operators to take up vending business are:

• The cost of setting up vending business is low when compared to other business ventures.

• These machines allow you to earn revenue almost instantly.

• Buying a new vending machine is not a very costly affair when compared to its returns and performance efficiency.

• Identifying and installing your machine in a right location will help you in earning return on initial investment in the very first year.

Vending is a very unique business that allows being your own boss and also gives you the flexibility in terms of your working hours. An existing vending operator would definitely agree with the above mentioned aspects. Placing the right machine in the right location helps you in earning revenue almost immediately.

Operators should take their own time to find about the various machines that are available in the market. This will help in choosing the most appropriate machine for your business. It will also prevent you from overpaying for your machine. Always prefer a new machine of a reputed company like Planet Antares.

Be very cautious while you purchase vending machine or other products for selling since there are several fraudsters who try to dupe you with their false commitments. After finalizing on the machine and products, you need to choose the best location for installing your machine. You can select a location all by yourself or hire a vending machine locator to help you in this process.

In case you set up your machine in a rental premises, remember that you will have to pay some commission to them and this will influence your profit percentage. Also make sure that you purchase all the necessary products and supplies from a wholesaler and not from a retailer. This can save a lot of money for you.

Do not forget to make a thorough market research before you start this business. Careful planning and cautious approach is sure to make your vending business a big success.

Vending-Most Happening Industry

2009-11-12T08:56:00.001-08:00

It was some time in the 215 BC that people first used the coin operated vending machines for the purpose of vending holy water in Egyptian temples. Since then this industry has made progress by leaps and bounds without any looking back. Now we have the modern vending machines that vend almost every product you could imagine.

If you observe closely, you will realize that vending is mostly a service industry. Modern lifestyles and change in eating habits are one of the several reasons for increasing popularity of vending machines. Most of us do not have the time to cook and eat so; vending machines are a great alternative to our daily meals. Thus our dependency on these machines is increasing day by day.

This change in trends has lead to increased snacking while travelling. Thus more and more machines are being placed in non traditional locations like bus stations, sports, recreation centers and garage forecourts. Usually majority of vending machines that are in use are floor standing machines thus making it easily accessible by customers.

Vending machines offer convenience and quick service. This is another reason why most people use them. Apart from this, cashless vending is also gaining popularity among customers. Customers generally prefer cashless vending because it is more convenient for them. However, since operators take up business for making instant returns, it is advisable to stick to cash vending.

Most popular locations for placing vending machines are offices, schools, bus and railway stations and busy malls and complexes. With the introduction of vending machines in offices, employees no longer need to wait in long queues for a cup of coffee. By placing these machines in office cafeteria, customers can access them easily and enjoy instant services.

An operator needs to offer those products that have demand through out the year. For instance snacks and beverages are those products which are in constant demand. By offering such products, operators can be assured of guaranteed returns. You can also try offering latest products like iPods, cameras in your machines. In case, the demand of these products fades off, you can shift back to your traditional products.

Benefits of Glass Front Vending Machines

2009-11-09T09:18:00.001-08:00

Glass front vending machines are latest up gradation over the closed ones. These machines are preferred because they are easy to use and allow customers to see the products which they are going to purchase. Glass front machines enable customers to see the products that are offered for sale. This makes selection easier and also creates an impulse for purchasing the product. Items thus displayed can lure the customers and create a desire for the product.

Glass front vending machines are mostly suitable for locations with heavy foot fall where there is great demand of a wide variety of products. The other benefit of a glass front vending machine is, these are more service oriented when compared to the typical closed ones. The added advantage of this machine is additional shelf space.

A vending operator need to keep in pace with the changing market needs in order to stay ahead of competition. Several models of glass front vending machines from Planet Antares are available in the market. Some of them are snack glass front vending machine, beverage glass front vending machine and a combination of both. This makes these machines ideal for all locations.

It is important that the operator offers a variety of products for sale and this is made possible by glass front vending machines. Using this machine your customer can both see the products he is about to purchase and also enjoy the variety offered. Thus these machines are capable of boosting your sales.

Vending is a billion dollar industry that serves an estimated 82 million Americans at least once in a month. Since its inception, this industry has witnessed huge growth and is perhaps the only industry that has been least affected by recession. All this clearly shows that there is a huge scope for new entrants in this business. So if you are an entrepreneur trying to identify the most profitable business, then vending is the best choice for you.

Steps in setting up a vending business

2009-11-02T03:53:00.001-08:00

Once set up on the right note, vending business rolls on its own. But it is very important to plan your business wisely. As a novice in vending business, you may get confused or may encounter some problems in finding a location, or purchasing the right kind of machine. To make sure that you start vending business on the right note, you should consult specialists from vending industry. If you know someone who owns a vending business, then it’s good otherwise you can consult about your business plans with Planet Antares Inc’s support staff, who guides vending operators and entrepreneurs about how to set up their business.

Starting a vending business involves purchasing a vending machine and setting it up at a location. Before you go out and buy a vending machine, it is advised to search for a location for the vending machine. You can find out various locations like shops, malls, gyms, offices, parks etc to place your vending machine. Most of the time, for a good location, you will have to share the “profits” with the location owners. A good idea is to share it 60:40 ratio (60% being yours), if things don’t work out then 50:50 is also fine, but nothing below that.

Also, once you decide on placing a vending machine at a particular location. You may need to get a paper work done for the location. You may want to consult a lawyer for the agreement or you can use the standard agreement available with the operators. Securing a location is one of the most important tasks.

After securing a location, you should buy a vending machine. NEVER buy an old vending machine. Though claims are made that they are at par with new ones but they are not. They are repaired equipments which can fail at anytime. You can get your vending machines from manufacturers like Planet Antares. They have a remarkable collection of vending machines.

The vending machines that you buy should be kept secure. If placed outdoors, they should be made secure by some locking equipment.

Vending is a lucrative business and returns are pretty good. With right partner by your side, you are bound to make good profits from your vending machine.

How To Sustain Severe Competition In Vending Business?

2009-10-27T08:54:00.001-07:00

Vending is one of the very few industries that is least effected by recession. Even in these times of economic slowdown, perhaps this is one of the very few businesses that is growing at a rapid rate. The uniqueness of this business is that it requires very low capital and an operator need not devote his entire attention on this business. You can still continue with your main chore activity and take up this business on a part time.

Vending industry faces stiff competition from shopping malls and other retail outlets. Any operator will be able to withstand this competition by following few tips mentioned below:

• Try to be specific in what you sell. Do not vend more than what you can manage. Concentrate on few products and switch to bulk vending if possible for better results.

• The establishment and running costs of vending business is low compared to other businesses. This business does not require you to hire sales personnel and being a complete cash business, there is no scope for bad debts. These benefits allow you to price products at lesser price when compared to other shopping malls or retail outlets.

• Vending has gained huge popularity among people who hardly have time to wait in long queue for billing or purchasing products. This machine provides you with the convenience of pick and go. So ensure that you stock your machines with sufficient quantity of stock. This will help boost your sales.

• Always prefer latest and new machines from trusted manufacturers like Planet Antares. Discourage used or refurbished machines. New machines are more reliable and ensure smooth operations.

• Adopt marketing strategies. Provide discounts and special offers that can increase your sales.

• Prefer glass front vending machines from Planet Antares when compared to closed ones. These machines enable customers to see the products which they would be purchasing. Not only this, glass front machines help you in identifying outdated stock which can be easily removed.

These guidelines if adhered to will yield good results.

Vending A Recession Proof Business

2009-10-16T05:18:00.001-07:00

The dreams and aspirations of millions of investors have been washed away by recession. There is hardly any sector that has not been affected by it. Recession has forced few to quit their existing businesses while it left others jobless. In such disheartening times, vending is perhaps the only business that gives you complete financial freedom. Vending business has acquired wide acceptance among people of all walks of life. In recent past, vending has grown to become one of the most lucrative and promising business.

Vending is a simple and easy to operate business that does not require any expertise or prior experience. This is one reason why most operators take up this business on a part time basis. All you need is to identify a location with high customer foot fall and install your machine there. After doing this, just ensure that the machine is in good working condition and refill it with stocks whenever required.

Most vending operators start with one or two machines. The returns in this business are extraordinary and are used for buying and installing more machines. Planet Antares is a well-reputed, guaranteed firm that manufactures vending machines in the US. Besides, the company also offers you with genuine customer support from end to end in your vending business. Taking up vending business on a full time basis provides financial freedom and also gives you an opportunity to become your own boss. This business is a complete cash business and does not have any set work timings. With vending machines working 24 hours a day for you, you won’t have to worry about recession or its adverse affects on your income.

Vending business does not require any sales staff. So the operator does not have any obligations of paying salaries, fear of strikes or lockouts. This is one reason why this business is not affected even by severe recession. The machines provided by Planet Antares are entitled to be completely fuss-free and easy to use thus giving absolute customer satisfaction, and in turn resulting in greater revenue.

So all you prospective vending operators our there, do not waste any time further and club with Planet Antares to kick-start your vending business at the earliest. Good luck!

Tips Before You Start A Vending Business

2009-10-09T12:21:00.001-07:00

Most of us aspire to start our own businesses but have no clue on how to go about it. If this is your situation, then you can think of starting a vending business. Few things that make this a successful business are:

• Low capital requirement: The same may be said about few other businesses, but this is absolutely true in case of a vending business. All you need is to invest in purchasing a machine and locating it in the right place. Your machine will do the sales for you and start giving you return from day one. To begin with you can probably purchase one machine and later use the revenue generated through this for further expansion.

• Keep a check on your costs: Though the initial set up cost is very low when compared to other businesses, there are several other expenses like merchandise, maintenance and repair costs which you need to take into consideration. But a close and watchful eye on these costs can keep them under check. Regular checks on the stock will prevent pilferage and wastage. On the other hand prompt servicing will ensure that the machine functions properly without any break downs.

• Location is crucial: Nothing is more crucial than locating the vending machine. If you think that just by locating your machine in schools or college will work miracles for you, then you are completely mistaken. You need to look out for places where foot fall of customers is very high or identify places where people stand in queues waiting for something. Avoid locations which already have stores selling the same product. You also need to consider availability of power supply depending on the kind of machine you use and the product you vend.

• Service is the key to success: This is a customer driven market. Customer satisfaction will influence the survival of any business. You might have come across few vending business that failed because they were unable to offer good service. Often they neglect to refill their machines with stocks or forget to collect cash from the machine so customers cannot buy anything and sometimes they do not maintain the machines properly. All these spread ill will among customer and they resist themselves from revisiting the machine.

Even if your initial earnings are less than what you have expected, keeping the above things in mind, you still have lot of chances to succeed. Planet Antares staff can help you by providing excellent machines and support for your business. Moreover Planet Antares is a brand and already recognized by people which gives you a headstart in your business as well.

Why you should not buy refurbished vending machine?

2009-09-18T21:04:00.001-07:00

Investment in vending machine is one of the most important parts of setting up your business. If you plan to buy a vending machine, then you can easily get confused. There are so many vending machine advertisements, with tall claims of selling the best vending machines. Over here you have to be very cautious. You should not get carried away with advertisements. Before buying a vending machine, you should find out its positives and negatives. For successful vending operations, you should never buy refurbished vending machines.

Why should we not buy refurbished vending machines?

1. Refurbished vending machines are second hand machines. They are repaired and painted over to make them look attractive. Most of the refurbished vending machines usually have some kind of faults which are temporarily repaired.

2. Refurbished vending machines are prone to frequent faults. You will have to spend a lot on getting them repaired time and again.

3. Most of the refurbished vending machines do not support latest technology. As they work on old technology and can be a bit trouble for customers.

4. Refurbished vending machines are generally bulky. It is possible that they would look out of the place at some locations.

5. Refurbished vending machines are mostly repaired and repainted by unskilled professionals.

Investing in a refurbished vending machine would prove one of the biggest mistakes you ever made. If you are looking vending as a long term business, you should go in for brand new vending machines. Manufacturers like Planet Antares manufacture latest technology vending machines. Vending machines manufactured by Planet Antares are robust and smooth in operations. They are equipped with latest technology for providing enhanced vending experience for customers. So whenever you plan to buy a vending machine, look no further than Planet Antares vending machines.

Coffee vending machines

2009-09-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

Coffee is a daily need for almost every American. If you’re in office, feeling lazy or in a meeting or working or even just for the sake of it, coffee is something which can fit in all situations. Earlier, it could be a hassle of you wanted to have coffee in office hours but now you have vending machines in almost every office where you can get coffee instantly.

Most offices these days have coffee vending machines for their staff. Not only offices you can find coffee vending machines at numerous locations like super markets, teacher lounges, bust stations, gas stations, theatres etc.

Coffee vending machines have been a huge success in America as people here are addicted to coffee and vending machine gives them the convenience of having coffee almost at anytime. Planet Antares Inc. offers specialty coffee vending machines that can vend coffee instantly. This vending machine can be a great source of income for those looking to invest in this business.

Planet Antares coffee vending machines are compact in size and can dispense 3-4 variants of coffee. You can place these machines almost anywhere. Moreover coffee vending machines generally turn out to be a hit almost anywhere. If you are looking to get into the vending machine, this is the machine , you can start with. Planet Antares machines are technically advanced and robust which will ensure trouble free working. Also Planet Antares brand is already trusted by millions.

Proper maintenance will help you keep your coffee vending machine in a good working order. Coffee is liked by everyone and can be great source of income for you. Planet Antares support staff will keep you updated with any new versions in the vending machines and will help you make your business profitable than before. Ignite the senses of your customers with freshly brewed coffee.

Planet Antares entrepreneurship

2009-08-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

Planet Antares has touched several lives in America by providing an incredible business opportunity. If you are hit with economy downtime or searching for a right business option, Planet Antares comes to your rescue. Millions of Americans are enjoying financial freedom by installing vending machines at different locations. Planet Antares tasted success in every aspect of vending and is one of the leading vending companies in US today. It boasts of a wide distributor network across the country. While you start a vending business, initial decisions are crucial for long run success. These decisions are regarding:

• Which vending machine company to choose?
• Whether, purchase vending machines directly or through a distributor
• Finding a legitimate vending distributor
• Budgeting of the business
• Which vending machines to buy
• Where to install
• Products to be filled in the machine

These are some most important decisions to be taken to ensure profitable beginning. I would suggest only one solution i.e. Planet Antares. Planet Antares is a reliable name in the industry which ensures right guidance in the vending industry. Planet Antares provides an experienced support to the beginners. There are considerable benefits of taking a Planet Antares vending program.

This business enables you to earn a stable income with a nominal level of initial investment. One of the most attractive features of this venture is the convenience of running a business according to your own pace and style. Being your own boss, you enjoy all the profits and greater flexibility of work operations as compared to a regular job or any other business opportunity. The most important element in the vending business is the quality of vending machine. Planet Antares products are:
• State of the art
• Technologically advance
• Attractive and stylish
• Available in various sizes and shapes

Starting a Planet Antares vending business from home would be the best beginning. It allows you to do business along with your full time job and is a source of additional income. Almost 70% of vendors start off on a part time basis and gradually expand to make it a full time revenue generating business. Once you have gained sufficient experience in the industry and plan to retire, you can either lease or sale the established vending route and earn lifetime financial security. Your vending business will be a huge success if it is well-planned and carefully setup.

How To Choose Products For Vending Machines.

2009-07-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

Filling up right products in vending machine is very important. While choosing products for a vending machine, some of the factors that you should consider are:

Product demand
Of course, the first criteria for product selection is the demand of a particular product in the region. Higher the demand, more likely is it to sell. To make the right decision, you should gather data pertaining to sales of a product for last 2 months in the region. You can also choose a product that is being extensively marketed by manufacturing company in the region. Marketing by product manufacturing companies is bound to create awareness and liking for that product among customers thereby making the product more desirable.

Profit margins
While choosing products for your vending machine, you should consider the potential profit margins that different products may have to offer. You can compare the cost price with the revenue that you expect to generate by selling them off. It is quite possible that you can get a promotional deal or discount while purchasing products for your vending machines. A little negotiation can always make a difference of 5 to 10 % in initial cost.

Shelf life of products
Products that you choose should have a longer shelf life. You should take off products from your vending machine before the shelf life expires. Typically, candies have a shelf life of one year. The softer ones like chocolates and nuts have a shorter shelf life. If you can strike a deal with the product distributor/ manufacturer to take back or replace the products with expired shelf life that can be great. So try to negotiate on that while purchasing products.

Possible storage quantity
Keeping in mind the storage capacity of your vending machine, you should choose the products. If you can store just a few packs, you will have to refill the machine at short intervals. While choosing the products, you can choose products which can be stored in significant quantity so that you don’t have to spend time and effort in refilling the machine at small intervals of time.

Customer feedback
Customer feedback and surveys can also provide a lot of information about product popularity among customers. Based on feedback, you can change the products placed in vending machines.

Location of vending machine
Location of vending machine plays a big role in products choice. E.g. stocking a vending machine with health drinks in front of a pub or stocking cigarettes around a health club will be a definite disaster. Yeah, if you place cigarettes in front of a pub and health drinks in a gym, your vending machines are bound to do good business. So depending on the location of vending machine, you will have to be careful about the products you choose.

Branded products
People can relate themselves readily with the branded products. Manufacturing companies spend millions in promoting branded products nationwide; this is a free marketing for your vending business. People readily accept branded products in comparison to non-branded local products. So it is advised to go in for branded products.

Whatever products you choose, you can vend them through remarkable Planet Antares vending machines. Planet Antares not only provides latest vending machines but also provide necessary coaching to run your vending business successfully.

TIPS TO KEEP THE QUALITY OF FOOD INTACT IN THE VENDING

2009-06-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Placing a Planet Antares vending machine and refilling the machine with the stocks at regular intervals is not just enough for running a successful vending business. Today’s fast paced life, which keeps the working people on their toes all the time, demands certain basic things on the go, food is one of the most important things that these professional people require while they are working non stop. Vending machines have come to the rescue of such people but providing food or snacks alone will not do any justice to them. For healthier living they need food which is healthy and safe and this will not just benefit the consumers but also the vending operators as a goodwill will get established with their quality services. Vending operators must keep certain factors in psyche to ensure the quality of food being vended.

• The area around the vending machine has to be kept clean. The machine should be placed on a stand so that it is at least 6 inches above the ground level and a proper cleaning under and around the vending machine could be managed by the operator. Hygienic surroundings are as important as the hygienic machine.

• Dust and other particles should be prevented to enter the Planet Antares vending machine. Doors or any other access opening for food should be close-fitting and in any case of shabby equipment, repair should be done immediately, so that no bacteria due to dust or other particles become native to the machine.

• Temperature inside the machine should be maintained according to the requirements of the type of the food stock. Automatic controls need to be provided in case of the power failure or mechanical failure.

• The personal hygiene of the service personnel is as significant as the hygiene of the machine. They should keep their hands clean and wash them before and after servicing and wear clean gear.

• The food stored in the vending should be hygienically packaged. The packaging of the products should be the same as it is for the retail stores so as to gain the confidence of the consumers that the quality is no different from the one they pick from the general or retail stores and carry all standard food qualification marks.

Vending Machines - On The Go Shops

2009-05-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

Vending machines are an ultimate way to shop for products on the go. You can find refreshments, sodas, candies, chocolates, snacks; basically all that you will need to munch on your way. Vending machine providers like Planet Antares have now days taken vending to a newer level. With unmatched designs and remarkable ease of operations, vending machines are now even more popular. Just in US, vending business is growing like anything.

It’s not only just the advancements in vending equipment by vending machine suppliers but also the aggressive brand marketing by products companies that is responsible for increase in vending machine usage. For shoppers, it is an convenient 24/7 way to shop and for vending business operators it is all about profits. Business operators are also aggressively trying to make the best of the vending locations that they have. Be it restrooms, break rooms, entrances or exists or waiting areas, they all are being covered by vending machine operators.

Different useful products are sold in vending machines. In US, vending machines usually sell, beverages, snacks, toys, candies and newspapers. While in countries like Japan, where substantial population move around on foot or by cycle, vending machines are also equipped with general products like rice, eggs, toilet paper etc. Typical ratio is of one vending machine per twenty three people in Japan, which is itself a proof of vending machines popularity. In US, with companies like Planet Antares pushing the R & D in ergonomics, vending machines are selling almost all items that you can think of.

Vending machines are considered as on-the-go shops due to the availability of almost any product that you may need when you are on the move. OR maybe you don’t want to sit down and indulge in a proper meal. Moreover the prices of products bought by vending machines are generally less in compared to the normal grocery shops.

Currently, vending machine business is one of best opportunities to earn money for anyone. The initial investment is minimal and the returns are adequate to match it in the first year itself.

Research Based Vending Planet Antares

2009-05-11T08:18:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a fool-proof money making business plan, Minnesota Vending is your destination. To be your own boss is easier said than done. You have to be extremely smart while taking even the most basic decisions if you want to come out successful and without any scars that are so typical of a new venture.

At Minnesota Vending, we are ready to guide you step by step for setting your business. Nothing beats a well-researched business. It’s definitely better than taking a plunge in the dark when you have no idea about the pros and cons of the vending industry.

If you don’t want to be part of the hundreds of people who make that mistake every year, opt for Planet Antares vending machines offered by us. That’s the best way to ensure your financial independence!

While you may want to carry out research about the various business aspects on your own, professional guidance won’t hurt. Rather, it will enhance the base of your decisions and strategies and result in better choices in lesser time. Isn’t that what you’re looking for?

Apart from preliminary research regarding the vending equipment, products and locations, we also offer vending programs that provide effective after-sale services. That means we will be with you at every step of your vending business operations. When you opt for Planet Antares vending machines, your research is already done for you. all that’s required is to learn what the vendor has to offer and take it from there.

Buying Planet Antares Vending Machines

2009-04-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Starters or beginners can get information on the Internet about the places where you can buy vending machines. There are many vending machine distributors and companies that sell vending machines. Planet Antares Inc is one company that manufactures their own vending equipment. Other than vending machines, they also provide vending services. The snacks and beverage vending machines offered by Planet Antares Inc are attractive and reliable and one of the hottest products to invest.

As a vending company Planet Antares acts as a one stop shop for all vending machines and vending services. As a vending operator, you will need to know and research as to how the vending business works and all the ins and outs about the business. Planet Antares knows about this and will help you get this information easily.

At Planet Antares you will get everything you will require to get started and a team of experts will assist you with all your needs. There is an advantage if you buy your vending machine directly from the manufacturers you can get to know how to carry out simple repairs in case you need to.

Be assured of getting the best rates for vending machines when you buy it from the vending machine manufacturer. Planet Antares makes it easy for you to own a vending machines as the rates are among the most affordable in the marketplace.

Another thing you need to consider while buying vending machines is the quality of equipment. Vending machines should function hassle free as this can be an important factor affecting the success of your vending business directly. No matter where you buy your vending machine from, just make sure that you don’t overpay for the vending machine and are buying a vending machine that is reliable.

Planet Antares INC can help you get the best vending machines and can help you gain insight about the vending business so that you know how to work it out to achieve maximum profit goals for yourself.

Utilization of Software In Vending Business

2009-04-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

Planet Antares vending operators can now solve a large part of their business issues through proper implementation in a cost effective manner. Wireless transmission of data can allow you to enjoy many benefits that come with software.

If automatic transmitting devices are introduced in all vending machines, dynamic scheduling would become possible and the operator will get to know instantly when a machine is out of order. However, this does not necessitate real time transmission of data to reap all the benefits from recording and reporting brand preference analysis, by individual machines.

Actually, changes in individual consumer brand preferences do not occur over a short period of time. Brand preference data can be obtained from a Planet Antares vending machine by handheld computer when the machine is being filled, and then later downloaded into a host computer. As it is transmitted in real time, this information is of great importance.

Such software system makes it much easier for the driver as he will not have to make two trips to the Planet Antares vending machines.

There are many ways of enhancing office functions of vending operators can be enhanced in many ways. These include:

1) Elimination of errors in data entry due to driver counting or writing errors

2) Greater accountability and better sales analysis through reports produced as soon as the cash is counted.

3) Management is able to make a direct impact on the level of sales at each Planet Antares vending machine by using cost effective brand preference analysis reports.

A lot of vending operators consider the biggest problem to be the errors caused by counting or writing errors on the part of the driver. The existing accountability systems do not deal with this. You can eliminate this problem with the help of software system. Generation of reports is usually made by the next business day so that these can be acted upon in a timely manner.

Taking Vending Machines On Rent

2009-03-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

Before you take the decision of running an independent vending business, make sure that you have enough money to invest in it.

If you don’t have adequate resources, don’t worry. Vending machine rentals make it possible for you to start on the right foot. Apart from new vending machines, rented equipment is also in great demand and can also work well for you.

Vending machine rentals can be easily found anywhere and the equipment can be rented by anyone who wants to start a simple vending business. Planet Antares Inc offers vending machines that dispense products like soda, bottled water, juices and snacks to people who insert coins or bills into the machine.

Bill validators and currency changers are installed in modern vending machines. However, many vending machines still require people to insert coins. Usually, start-ups can rent vending machines to create additional profit and are frequently stocked by companies that offer them to budding entrepreneurs.

A good idea for ensuring consistent sales is to keep changing the products that are kept in the vending machines from time to time. Different products may not be available at different times.

Companies like Planet Antares Inc that provide vending machine rentals keep track of the popular as well as outdated products at a specific location. Over a period of time, the products may be changed constantly to meet customer desires and demands.

After signing the vending machine contract, you need to start thinking about the best locations for your vending machines. Firstly, you need to consider the best location for sales. This can be done by finding customers, increasing sales volume and monitoring the progress of sales.

One idea is to look for companies with break rooms as they are willing to try a vending machine rental so that their employees will have snacks and drinks during their break and lunch hours.

Employees in offices can enjoy a refreshing drink or a quick snack if a vending machine is placed there. Planet Antares Inc offers vending machine rental that will be useful and profitable for offices that have long business hours, preferably with night shifts.

Basics Of Developing A Successful Vending Route

2009-03-18T09:50:00.001-07:00

Establishing a successful vending business requires you to setup an effective vending route. You should know that the most effective way to establish an economic vending route is to do it yourself.

For achieving this, you must conduct a lot of research and gather information about the various aspects of the vending industry. Once you know exactly what you are looking for, it will be quite easy to establish a vending route. This can be a great way to start a profitable, enduring vending business.

Developing a vending route on your own can enable you to save a lot of money. This would not have been possible if you are paying a professional location company. Actually, there is no need to pay someone to look for a location, when you can easily do it on your own.

Vending companies that do not have time to search for locations can hire professional locators to do this task. This option will work for people who want to focus on other features of running the vending business or have large enterprises that have many other priorities.

Finding good locations is a process that starts with looking for places that are willing to host your Planet Antares vending machines. Planet Antares snack and beverage vending machines are really popular in most locations.

Often, location owners are looking for vending operators that can offer them the service, on their own. Still, you should always be prepared to do a lot of convincing since most locations already have vending machines placed in them.

Many vending operators have the tendency to get discouraged while facing refusal from vending locations but you just need to keep looking for other locations till you find the right place for keeping your vending equipment. Once you have recognized such locations, be prepared to negotiate on the commission that you will pay to the location.

Determining the amount of commission should be based on the kind of products that you are selling and the type of machine that you have. You should offer a reasonable amount of commission to the location owner so that you are able to make a profit even after paying this amount.

Planet Antares Inc offers some of the best deals on vending machines and supply snack and beverages vending machines as well as products. The ideal supplier would be the one that offers products at a lower cost than others in the market but with same quality.

When you develop a vending route on your own, it allows you to enjoy greater economy and at the same time, get equipped for any future acquisitions that come by as opportunities for growth.

Easier Money Making With Vending

2009-03-13T02:11:00.001-07:00

Successful vending consists of various factors, purchasing high-end vending machines being one of them. There’s more to it than just that!

By placing them strategically, your Planet Antares vending machines can be turned into the best money generators. These vending machines have the capacity to make money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year.

Vending offers a unique opportunity to start making all cash income as soon as the vending machines are placed in popular, customer centric locations. That’s why this $ 40 billion industry is booming with thousands of people entering the vending business everyday.

To begin with, you can start with smaller models like candy vending machines that are easy to locate and affordable too. If you are ready to invest a larger amount, snack and soda machines can be purchased. These are very popular among people of all age groups, work fields and cultures. Apart from being highly lucrative, this business allows you to earn enough to invest in more number of machines and expand your vending business within no time.

Finding good locations for your Planet Antares vending machines is a must. Planet Antares soda and snack vending machines are suitable for all kinds of locations. These serve as quick fix hunger and thirst solutions for people who don’t have the time to go out for a proper meal or snack.

The trick is to look for high traffic areas like shopping malls, subways, business offices, airports, etc. Make sure that the vending machines are positioned in a way that is accessible by the target customers. It is also crucial to ensure that the chosen location matches the vending products to be dispensed so that you can maximize sales and profits.

Another important task is to select the right products for stocking of your vending machines. Be careful about their quality, freshness and brand. Different vending machines have different capacity to hold vending products. Prefer buying items in bulk to get discounts and go for branded products to encourage impulse buying by customers without too much advertising costs.

Excellent Customer Service With Planet Antares Inc

2009-03-03T01:49:00.001-08:00

Your approach towards business customers is going to be a differentiating factor while running a vending business. While most enterprises give priority to selling, a few, prudent companies focus on providing effective customer service. This is the single most important factor that will set you apart from the crowd.

Like any other business, profits are dependent in the vending business on customer satisfaction. The trick is to choose a vending opportunity that allows you to serve your audience in the right manner.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Several vending companies claim to provide the best service in the industry. If their offer seems too good to be true, you should avoid associating with them. A lot of them are just scams to mint money from innocent vendors like you.

So where do you find for legitimate, rewarding vending programs?

I would recommend you to look for reliable companies like Planet Antares Inc if you are keen to become vending business owners. Apart from being reputable vendors, the company also has a highly experienced, professional and customer friendly staff. If you want to get a better idea about the quality of their services, ask any of the hundreds of satisfied customers of Planet Antares vending programs.

What sets this company apart from its competitors is the standard of customer service maintained over the years. When you sign up for any of their programs, you will feel the difference right away!

Extensive information, tips and guidance is offered to new vending operators about the various aspects of the vending business. You can also receive help in locating resources for running the business in a hassle-free manner. In fact, the association extends beyond the purchase agreement. In other words, Planet Antares customer support staff will be with you at each step of the vending process.

Planet Antares Inc offers quality customer service including refilling, servicing, repair and management of the vending machines. In short, they ensure that your equipment remains in top condition at all times.

Obviously, the customer will judge your service quality after using the vending machines. Hence, due importance is given to the functioning, maintenance and security of the vending machines.

Invest In Vending Opportunities For High Returns

2009-02-26T02:12:00.000-08:00

As you chalk out plans for establishing a vending business, make sure that you are aware of certain facts like the following:

1. Vending machines start earning revenue for you almost instantly.
2. It is quite inexpensive to buy a brand new, high quality vending machine.
3. If you choose the right locations for your vending equipment, there is great possibility of earning return on initial investment within the first year itself.

These will be confirmed by any and every experienced Planet Antares vending business owner. Once you have setup your equipment at good locations, your vending machines will start earning income almost instantly. Actually, the vending business is a unique opportunity to become your own boss and that is what attracts thousands of people towards it!

The purchase of vending equipment must be carried out with care. Make sure that you don’t overpay for any equipment that is not worth the price. This can be ensured by going for a reputable vending company such as Planet Antares Inc. Here, you get high quality, durable vending machines at competitive prices.

It is quite common for you to be approached by fraudsters who claim to offer the best vending machines, products and services and assure instant success to newcomers.

However, they hardly ever deliver on their promises and you may end up losing a lot of money, time and energy in the process. The best way out is to gain as much knowledge about the different kinds of vending machines and suppliers in your area.

After deciding about the machines and products, you must start searching for effective locations. You may do this on your own or with the help of a hired vending machine locator. Planet Antares Inc offers locating services as part of their deal with customers.

While setting up a vending business, you also need to consider the vending commissions. This constitutes the percentage of profits that is given to the location owners in exchange for keeping your vending machines in their premises.

Planet Antares Inc provides training and experienced advice to vending operators. Under such programs, you will understand that saving is essential for business growth and development. So, it is recommendable to buy your products supplies and equipment from a wholesaler and not the retail distributor. This will save you a lot of money.

Planet Antares Vending Advice On Saving Fuel

2009-02-24T03:12:00.001-08:00

High fuel costs are a problem being faced by vending operators across the United States. It appears that each and every time, there is a hike in the cost of fuel. Commonly, a vending operation uses a vehicle to transport products from the base to the locations.

For home based vending business operators, it is common to use their personal vehicle. On the other hand, using a vending truck with more space will be a better option if you are running your business from a warehouse. Usually, such a vending business would be an established and most likely a medium sized or a large sized business.

Owners of large sized Planet Antares vending business will have to hire route drivers. Often, they may start using the vending truck for their personal errands, resulting in fuel wastage. Hence, there may be extra cost for your vending business. Using a vehicle that is not well maintained will result in even more fuel wastage. This makes it essential to look for new ways of saving fuel.

Technology
Emerging technology offers new ways to save fuel, but these are long term and not short term solutions. You should be prepared to invest a higher amount as upfront payment in quality vending machines like Planet Antares vending machines.

A growing trend among vending operators is the use of satellite-based fleet monitoring, known as Global Positioning Systems (GPS). This system can improve operating efficiencies and employee accountability.

GPS can help you in saving fuel in three major ways:
1) They allow you to know if there is any unauthorized use of the vehicle
2) They make it easier to determine more efficient routing
3) It allows you to monitor the speed of the drivers.

Alternative fuel
A good idea for saving fuel costs is to convert from traditional fuel to alternative fuels for your Planet Antares vending operations. Propane is less expensive than either diesel or gasoline. A gallon of propane gas costs less than half the price of gasoline. There are about 500 depots located all across the country.

Fuel saving tips for route drivers
1) Tires must always be properly inflated as under inflated tires can decrease fuel economy.
2) Drive at a steady pace. Unnecessary speed-ups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy.
3) Perform maintenance checks according to schedule.
4) Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn the engine off when you are delayed for more then a couple of minutes.

Estimating Income Potential Of Vending Machines

2009-02-17T05:53:00.001-08:00

As a business opportunity, vending has a lot of potential. Its full potential has been realized by entrepreneurs who have been looking for a business venture that will make them lots of money.

Once you start looking at the market opportunities, you will notice vending machines everywhere. In worldwide terms, this business accounts for billions of dollars in sales!

Planet Antares Inc can offer you a unique opportunity to start your own vending business. If you implement the right strategies, you are bound to enjoy success with the highly lucrative vending business.

Basically, there are two basic elements of successful vending - Organization and hard work. Planet Antares vending machines can be great for beginners in the vending industry. Initially, you can begin with one or two vending machines to see how well you will fair in the vending business.

Careful planning and execution will enable you to experience a positive change in your financial position with an effective vending business. Working for someone else makes it hard for you to achieve any kind of freedom.

Planet Antares Inc provides you with guidance as well as wonderful opportunities through its vending programs. You will finally get to indulge in things that you never found any time for before. This means that vending gives you two very important assets:

a. Time
b. Money

Remember that a certain amount of capital investment is required to purchase the vending machines. You can opt for various kinds of machines, be it:

New vending machines
Used vending machines
Rent out the vending machines

Ethnic Groups As Vending Customers

2009-02-12T04:55:00.001-08:00

As compared to the situation that prevailed in the vending market a few years back, Planet Antares vending operators serving the ethnic market segment are experiencing more success.

Recent surveys have pointed out that 90 percent of the vending operators believe that product suppliers are offering enough variety of food, snacks or beverages to meet the customer demands.

As a result, better and more lucrative opportunities have emerged for vending operators who understand the rising demand for ethnic products. As a whole, the industry seems to be slow to recognize the need to cater to this fast growing market.

Observation has shown that almost three-fourths of vending operators realize that their customer base is becoming more diverse in ethnicity. Planet Antares vending operators have reported the biggest gain in Hispanic customers.

O the other hand, a lot of vending operators are also catering to the demands of African Americans. Several other surveys have indicated that this group does not possess any particular product demands.

While most Planet Antares vending operators recognized a gain in ethnic customers, only about 40 percent of all operators have reported success with the products targeted to these customers. In effect, only a minority of vending operators have offered these products to this group.

By meeting ethnic market demands, positive results have been witnessed by many vending machine operators. However, the challenge is to determine how much of the product mix should be geared to the ethnic audience when the customer base is mixed.

A large portion of the ethnic products have been offered in the salted snack segment, followed by food. A large variety of products has been offered by this category. Planet Antares snack machines have more facings than any other type of vending machines.

In the cold drink category, Planet Antares vending operators have also provided ethnic choices. As the number of ethnic customers continues to increase, vending operators will find it necessary to carry products that target ethnic customers.

Planet Antares Vending Commission Systems

2009-02-04T02:44:00.001-08:00

In situations where the employee has a lot of control over the rate of production, commission systems work quite well. Of course, it depends on his ability to work harder, smarter, longer and faster.

Commission systems can be less effective in industries where the employee doesn’t have total control over the rate of production. A vending route environment would ve one of those industries. For example, a route person who is aid on a commission basis knows that he will earn more if he collects more money on his route.

A route driver will learn how to fill and clean Planet Antares vending machines as quickly as possible. He must also reduce the amount of time spent at each location, with the hope that he will have more time to service machines and collect cash each day. Till now, a commission system appears to be a win-win situation for the Planet antares operaion and the route person. In this way, the employee can earn more commission and the company can earn more profits.

A survey conducted recently revealed that most operators pay drivers some type of incentive. Fewer pay drivers a fixed salary. Some of the vendors pay only commission and other pay a combination of commission and salary.

However, there are several issues related to commission systems as well. As the route driver would want to service more Planet Antares vending machines, he may:
1. drive too fast
2. perform less than 100 percent of the machine sanitaiton requirements
3. ignore simple mechanical procedures
4. fail to take the time to coin test a machine after filling it

Any or all of these factors can create more serious problems than the problem the commission system was originally designed to solve.

By itself, a commission system will not teach you how to schedule a route. The trick is to service the Planet Antares vending machines only after the machine has made enough sales to profitably justify the cost of service.

Income Potential Of Planet Antares Vending Machines

2009-01-30T02:43:00.001-08:00

If you want your Planet Antares vending business to be successful, all you need to do is place your vending machine strategically for them to become the best money generators. Planet Antares Inc can help you make money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year.

This company offers you a unique opportunity to earn all cash income as soon as the vending machines are placed in popular, customer centric locations. That’s why this $ 40 billion industry is booming with thousands of people entering the vending business everyday.

For beginners, the best option will be to go for candy vending machines that can be easily located and purchased at reasonable prices. If you can invest a larger amount, Planet Antares snack and soda machines are the best choice as these are very popular among people of all age groups, work fields and cultures.

Planet Antares Inc provides highly lucrative business opportunities and as you earn profits, you can invest in more number of machines and expand your vending business.

Placing your vending machines in strategic locations is essential to get value for your money. All kinds of places are suitable for keeping Planet Antares soda and snack vending machines.

These days, most people don’t have the time to go to a restaurant or store for meals or snacks. In such circumstances, vending machines can be quick fix solutions in such situations due to their convenience and time saving features.

Preferably, you must look for high traffic areas like shopping malls, subways, business offices, airports, etc. Position your Planet Antares vending machines in places that are accessible by the target customers. It should also match the vending products to be dispensed so that you can maximize sales and profits.

The products must be carefully selected after analyzing their quality, freshness and brand. Remember that different vending machines have different capacity to hold vending products.

A good idea will be to purchase items in bulk to get discounts and prefer branded products to encourage impulse buying by customers without too much advertising costs. All these elements must be kept in mind while assessing and enhancing the income potential of your vending business.

FAQs About The Vending Business

2009-01-22T03:09:00.001-08:00

Generally, people who enter the vending industry have the desire for greater income through this lucrative, all-cash business opportunity. Sadly, most of them have very little or no knowledge about the various aspects of this industry and end up losing their hard earned money.

Some of the commonly asked questions about the dynamic vending business by novice entrepreneurs include the following:

#1. What are the risks involved?
This depends on your decisions while choosing the equipment and product suppliers. if you go for a reliable vending distributor or supplier for buying the equipment and products as well as getting help in locating the machines, the risk will be minimal. Planet Antares Inc provides excellent vending programs that have a very high success rate.

#2. How much time does it take to get a return on investment?
You can expect a good financial return from the start by selecting reliable vending machines, usually a year. It also depends on the products, and locations chosen by you.

#3. Are there any locations left for new machines?
Yes, there are. In order to place your vending machines and generate sales, you need to be a little creative and have convincing power. Keep an eye on the sites under construction and even the areas near your location.

#4. How will I know if the machines are reliable or not?
Choose a reputable vending company like Planet Antares Inc to buy vending equipment. Also, make sure that they provide a warranty on machines.

#5. What are the legal issues that need to be taken care of?
Check with your “state comptroller” to know about the license or permit required for setting up a vending business. Also, you need to be aware of the taxes levied on the chosen line of vending.

Website Creation For Successful Vending

2009-01-16T03:37:00.000-08:00

Today, the World Wide Web is the source getting more than 700 million searches every day. This implies that there could be prospective customers searching for products to fuel and energize their employees’ workforce everyday, including snacks and beverages.

In such circumstances, it has become essential to make sure that the name of your Planet Antares vending company appears on the first page of the results from these targeted searches. Everyone needs to establish an online presence in the current competitive world.

As a Planet Antares vending operator, you must understand that your website is your online pitch for internet users. Instead of using the traditional phone book to search for vending machines, customers on the web will first go to the internet search engine.

Like all other marketing communication tools, websites should be oriented first and foremost to serve the need and interests of your current customers and your potential customers.

It is the aim of Planet Antares vending business site to enable you to increase the potential for obtaining more business. If you think about it, a website is just another form of promoting your Planet Antares business. Potential customers can view your website at any time and that means that you gain a number of new accounts using the website.

With the increasing competition in the crowded vending industry, new business is hard to get. In order to maintain your market share, your website needs to stand apart from the crowd and at the same time appear to be sophisticated and professional. It should attract potential customers and reflect your brand.

The designing, development, scripting and overall management of the site can have a great impact on how easy it is for your company to land first among search engine results and how easy it is to succeed through online marketing.

All in all, the success or failure of your Planet Antares vending business can be determined by the kind of web promotion you indulge in.

Vending Concepts: Planogram Design And Use

2009-01-08T03:27:00.001-08:00

The term ‘category management’ denotes a system designed to enable you to take advantage of market research in selection of products fro your Planet Antares vending machines.

As part of this system, planogram designing consists of three major steps:

a) Identification of product categories
b) Space allocation to each category
c) Deciding on specific products for each category

No doubt, this is an issue of individual judgment. However, it is better if you divide these categories into further sub-categories. Actually, it is easier to do a planogram if there is lesser number of categories. Still the more categories identified, more the planogram will ensure variety.

After this, the next step will be to allocate space in the Planet Antares vending machines. At least one facing should be available for each category. Factors like category sales and the way products fit into the shelves will determine the number of facings required.

Next comes the product selection. You need to consider several factors for this difficult task, such as:

Core products
These are items that sell consistently in all machines and represent 20% of the total product mix.
Cycle products
These are filled in each machine during the menu cycle but changed between such cycles. Majority of the products constitute cycle products.

Choice products
These are items that can be provided for a particular location to meet specific requirements. These are usually less than 20% of the product selection.

All in all, a planogram enables you to gain control over what products to be included in the vending machines. In absence of such a technique, there will be no efficiency in operations as drivers will use personal preferences to save time.

Replacing Vending Snacks With Meal Replacement

2008-12-26T07:57:00.001-08:00

The previous years have seen frequent changes in customer demands and preferences. Any vending operator who wants to maintain his market share will have to adapt to such dynamics.
People of all types, ages and cultures love snacks. Evolving consumer tastes can be catered to by vendors who offer a wider variety of snacks than ever before. This is a result of lesser customer time and changing lifestyles.

Nowadays, many of these snacks have become a part of people’s daily lives. Mostly, the working personnel don’t have the time to take a break for proper meals. A bag of chips or a snack mix from a Planet Antares vending machine is the perfect replacement in such cases.

With regard to such demands, snack manufacturers are trying to create and introduce new flavors and ingredients to increase customer satisfaction and business revenue. There is aggressive competition among vending operators to gain the maximum number of customers who use their vending equipment.

On the other hand, a recent trend that has emerged is the demand for healthier snacks that have lesser calories, more nutritious elements but still have full flavor and affordable price.

This presents a golden chance for Planet Antares snack vending machine operators to meet customer demands by a strategic product mix while increasing sales. A good idea will be to offer a combination of conventional bestsellers and the healthy snacks in demand at the moment.

Planet Antares vending machines have seen a rise in the demand for bold flavors as the traditional snacks are serving as meal replacement for many people. They want “grab and go” food products that will as filling and healthy as a proper meal. Still, the focus remains on convenience rather than fitness or healthy diet.

Along with bold flavors, spicy and tangy flavors are also gaining popularity in the snack mix. This trend has been taken into consideration by Planet Antares vending products and now they offer hot and spicy snacks in various flavors to the operators for filling their vending machines.

In the times to come, there will only be lesser time to sit down and have a meal. That means the demand for “on the move” food will rise more and more.

Shifting Your Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-12-23T07:39:00.000-08:00

Any vending business that considers expansion will need to plan its moves carefully. One of the first decisions that need to be made is to move your Planet Antares vending business into a separate building.

Most vending operators have opted to rent a section of a “strip warehouse” along with other small businesses. To shift your vending business out of the home, you should look at all the costs associated with it.

Account base
Make sure that you have a diversified account base. If one account represents a large part of your total sales, you could be in trouble if you lose the account.

Growth plans
It is common for vending operators to complain that no matter what the size of their business, their facility is not big enough. When you plan for a new facility for your vending business by Planet Antares Inc, plan for future growth and a larger inventory of machines.

You must remember that as your business grows, you will require more space for additional inventory storage. How fast you plan to grow and how long you wish to continue in your new facility will also bear an impact on the size of the building and the related costs with the size of the building and lease period.

For a successful Planet Antares vending business, you must control the costs, maintain adequate vend prices and manage your machine product inventory for optimal sales and route labor costs.
Concentrate on business basics

You must focus on selling high quality service rather than focusing on lower prices. Concentrating on higher drink product mix will allow you to have a gross margin above 50 percent. By servicing the machines only when requires, you can achieve higher sales per week per route. Obviously, this means having the proper planogram for each machine to allow it to be filled at least at the 50 percent point.

Location of facility
This is a very important factor that can make or break your Planet Antares vending business. Thus, locations for your vending machines need to be chosen with care. A lower cost facility in an area of town far away from your home may cost more money than a more expensive facility that is near your home.

The Ways Of Vending Business Expansion

2008-12-10T05:47:00.001-08:00

A full time vending business will experience the need to expand as soon as it is financially possible. Expanding a Planet Antares vending business would be made easier by the Planet Antares vending program.

Most people start vending business from home, because people usually start with a few vending machines. Planet Antares vending business requires low investment at the start since you will not be required to have an office or a warehouse to run your vending business. This is the reason why vending is such a great business opportunity.

Expanding your vending business would require moving your business out of your home or just simply acquiring more vending machines and locations. It is essential for your vending business to be financially stable for you to expand the business, because expanding would mean investing more money in your vending business.

Buying more vending machines
The first thing that you would need to do is to buy more vending machines. As you buy the vending machines, the locations that you have may not be enough to cater to your vending machines, which would mean that you would need to acquire more locations. Just make sure that you understand customer needs in the new locations.

Purchasing established routes
People who are retiring or getting out of the business usually sell their vending business as established routes. This may be a great way to expand your vending business. Purchasing established routes would be a quick way of growing your business. This is because you don’t need to go out looking for location or a supplier. In other words, you will start where the other vending operator left off and even possibly provide a better vending service.

Expand your horizons
A Planet Antares vending business is a snack and beverage vending business. When you want to expand your vending business, try other vending businesses such as bulk vending and special products vending. Being successful in a snack and beverage vending business will prepare you for the other kinds vending businesses.

Vending Business And Location Based Data Transmission

2008-12-01T02:28:00.000-08:00

In spite of being equipped with a data capture device, the decision about the method of transmission for your Planet Antares vending machines is based on the characteristics and needs of the location.

Online data delivery can definitely help in increasing the profitability of transient locations with fluctuating sales and locations that involve long travel times. Handheld data delivery can work well for business and industry locations with stable and predictable work forces. However, if these locations work occassional second shifts or weekends, with a fluctuating work force, the wireless transmisison may be indicated.

Basically, data transmission aims to capture and report the quantity of sales, by individual brands, in each Planet Antares vending machine, without the route operator having to manually count the product placements by brand.

If you are equipped with this brand preference data for your Planet Antares operations, you can perform the same function that a merchandiser manager performs at a supermarket. This implies removal of low performing products and placing high quality, fast selling products in their place. Space to sales analysis techniques are used to determine the product mix.

To enable the products to sell at uniform rates, you need to allocate double or triple columns in your Planet Antares vending machines for the top selling brands. As a result, you will ensure higher sales and longer intervals between servicing of the accounts.

As the system knows the brands and the sales level in every vending machine, it can estimate what the route operator should get from his truck. Unneccessary double trips to each machine would then be eliminated.

Vending As A Lucrative Business Opportunity

2008-11-19T02:34:00.000-08:00

Often, amateur vendors think that vending is just another shortcut to making money. If you believe the same, you will find it difficult to setup and run it smoothly. So it is very important to start on the right foot. In this day of information, there is no reason that you should make any mistakes.

The first step is to ensure that you don’t fall victim to high priced, poor concept vending equipment that doesn’t deliver what it promises. Perhaps, the vending company wants more from you than they are willing to offer. Don’t fall a victim to this!

Planet Antares Inc offers much more than just false claims about durable machines. Actually, they provide effective and high quality vending machines at very affordable prices to you. Moreover, you can get the equipment financed from them and pay in easy installments.

In reality, the success of your Planet Antares vending business is dependent on a number of factors. Location is one such element of importance. You need to do research on the type of locations that are available and it is crucial to see this location yourself. Make sure that the chosen location has a large number of potential customers. You can also look into the products sold by other vending machines in the area to get an estimate about the competition.

Look for the ideal products for your Planet Antares vending machines. This means going for the branded products that are popular as this is what the customer will want to buy from your machines.

Your Planet Antares vending business operations can allow you to earn substantial money. Choose a company that will show you the real picture of how to make a successful vending business.

Planet Antares Inc is one such vending company that shows you the exact picture of your income expectations, which is very high. If you really want to start and work towards successful vending, Planet Antares vending programs can be perfect for you.

Before entering the vending business, you must consider all these factors. A lot of people have concluded that they want to give a try to this lucrative business. These people are making enough money to make a good living and some have even decided to move from a regular job to full time vending.

Raw Materials Used In Vending Machines

2008-11-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

Good quality vending machines such as those provided by Planet Antares Corporation are constructed using four major raw materials. These include:

• Galvanized steel
• Lexan or other plastic
• Acrylic powder coatings
• Polyurethane insulation

Mostly, the equipment is manufactured from galvanized steel ranging from 10 guages to 22 guages in thickness. The thicker gauges are used for the outside cabinets, external doors and internal tank. These areas require internal guages for internal door and plates, can stacks and mechanisms such as coin validators and product trays.

Lexan, a tough polycarbonate plastic is used to build the front panels of the vending machine. When it comes to thickness, sheets of lexan in the vending machine can range from 0.13 in to 0.25 in. Considering performance, laxen sheets provide good durability. It is very difficult to break, flame retadant, easy to shape and can be treated to restrict UV rays, light and heat transmission.

Silk screening of product logos, names and illustrations is done on lexan sheets. You can save a lot of money this way by reducing energy and replacement costs and hence, improves the life of your Planet Antares vending machines.

Acrylic powder coating is used to paint the surface of the vending machines. It offers the best overall exterior durability and can be formulated into products with excellent chemical, detergent and stain resistance. Other benefits include hardness and scratch resistance for your Planet Antares vending machine. It also gives a smooth and high gloss finish for your machine.

Polyurethane foam is used for insulation of the interiors of the Planet Antares vending machines. It creates a seamless, waterproof, durable covering layer. It also adds structural stability to both the cabinet and the tank of the machine.

What Constitutes Quality Vending Services?

2008-11-10T01:43:00.001-08:00

Simply stated, quality vending machine services implies that the clients or the locations that you are providing for is not lacking in any way. Planet Antares vending business owners would want their snack and beverage vending machines to be installed in specific locations.

Business offices, colleges, schools, hospitals and other kinds of locations usually need vending machines in their premises. As it is, vending operators will have to provide the locations with Planet Antares vending equipment and service the vending machines on a regular basis.

Some of the main features of vending operations include cleaning, maintaining and refilling of vending machines. Also, you will have to collect money from the machines. The time of servicing depends on the number of vending machines and the type of vending machines. Usually, the location owner provides the location for vending machines without servicing the vending machines. This is the responsibilty of the vending operator only.

In absence of effective vending machine servicing, the location owner and customers may be disappointed with your offerings. This may even lead to them asking you to remove the vending machines. In the end, you may lose your business and your company name will also be tainted. This makes it imperative to offer quality vending services at all times.

Planet Antares Inc provides quality vending machines that will never let you down because you will hardly ever experience any downtime. Downtime is equal to loss of sales. Practice preventive maintenance to avoid any such occurrences.

Apart from these aspects, refilling of vending machines also requires your attention. Keep track of the stock levels in the vending machines in different locations, so that you can know when you will need to refill the vending machine. Plan a schedule so that the vending machine never runs out of a particular item.

Viability of Planet Antares Vending Programs

2008-11-04T04:25:00.000-08:00

As compared to the initial days of vending, operating costs have increased significantly. However, financial realities still make Planet Antares vending a good bet for the serious enterpreneur.

In fact, it seems that vending may be the last truly viable business opportunity for someone with enterpreneurial skills to earn a decent income. In spite of the consolidation in the industry and its becoming expensive for a business to enter the “big league”, there is still scope for the small enterprises. This is something that will not change any time soon.

Planet Antares Inc recognizes the fact that majority of the people would start a vending operation to earn some extra money. While some start it on a part-time basis, others build it into a full time job.

Vending opportunities by Planet Antares Inc are both easy-entry business and a very flexible. As a vending operator, you can start running it from home and can also decide how quickly to grow the business. Due to these qualities, it is a very attractive business program.

In order to start a vending business, I would suggest you to purchase new or used Planet Antares glass front snack and cold drink vending machines, which are available at a very affordable rate. If you have enough equity at home, it won’t be tough to finance the purchase of equipment.

A good idea will be to use your garage to store products and your car to transport the products. Once you have started running yoru business, look for locations that will generate avergae minimum sales of $100 per week, per machine and keep the commission costs below 10 percent of sales. Also, you must ensure that your products are priced in a way that you can derive at least 50 percent gross profit.

Gradually, you may decide to shift your business out of home. Your startup costs will rise to that of running a full fledged business. The new facility will come with additional costs, which can be met with additional revenue.

For this, you will have to get more customers and machines for your Planet Antares vending business. The ROI will vary according to the size of the entity. In a one-man business, operating out of home may make it possible to earn a realistic 40-50 percent ROI.

Telemetry For Improved Vending

2008-10-29T03:51:00.000-07:00

The impact of technology on vending is undeniable. It has truly turned this business into a professional industry. New techniques require huge investment and as the market gets more competitive, only the large operators may be able to take the lead in introducing different types of technology in their vending business.

However, smaller operators having lower overheads can also enjoy the benefits of technology by deciding to take the lead in using it. All this will only become evident in the coming future.

Amongst the most popular technical advancements in vending are remote machine monitoring and cashless payment options. By using these and other service enhancing technologies in your Planet Antares vending business, you will surely improve your business profitability and customer satisfaction.

Introduction of new customer conveniences and operating system efficiencies are signs of a progressive Planet Antares vending business. After all, customer service is the foundation of a successful business and vending is no different.

Basically, technology is a tool that gives you the power to service your Planet Antares vending locations in an efficient manner and offer products that are demanded by the customers. With telemetry, vending machines become equipped with the ability to transmit sales and inventory data to a route truck in the parking lot.

Thus, you can know which snacks and beverages to keep in the vending machines and which not to keep. Transfer of data can be made to a remote headquarters for use in scheduling a route stop, recognizing component malfunction or verifying collection information.

A majority of the vending business owners agree that Telemetry is one of the most significant developments in vending technology since the invention of the bill changer. With the growing popularity of wireless technology, it has become even more useful and provides a medium through which cashless payments can be authenticated.

Remote monitoring system determines a route’s delivery needs based in historic sales. In short, telemetry results in the improvement of vending service by detecting product strategies, mechanical errors and insufficient change. That means complete elimination of the need for dynamic scheduling.

Important Factors For Planet Antares Vending Success

2008-09-19T03:22:00.000-07:00

A vending business is much more than a “quick get-rich” scheme. For those who plan to make substantial profits, there is need for professional planning, organization and implementation of various aspects.

Just purchasing and placing vending machines and products at random locations will not make you successful. Before heading into the vending business, you must take various factors into consideration.

Location
Firstly, you need to buy a good quality vending machine like Planet Antares vending machines. However, the key element is the location of vending machines. Your customers should be able to access your vending machines easily. It is also important to choose popular places to install the vending machines if you expect high revenue.

Common places include restaurants, schools, college, business offices and convenience stores. The selected location should also match the products being sold by your machine. Analyze the needs of target customers while choosing products to be sold. If you place the vending equipment in busy locations with lots of waiting people like restaurants, airports, subway, train and bus stations, school and college campus.

Placement
The next step is to decide the position of Planet Antares vending machines in the chosen premises. The first thing to be kept in mind is the product you are selling. For example, candy and toys should be placed near places with children, toiletries near bathrooms and so on.

This also depends upon the kind of place chosen by you to install your vending machine. For business offices, its best to place vending machines in the pantry or lunchroom while doctor clinics and hospitals have vending machines in waiting rooms, near the chairs of people.

Appearance
The looks of vending equipment will also have an impact on the success of your vending business. Many times, vending machine operators ignore this factor while buying vending machines. If your Planet Antares vending machine appears to be attractive, customers will make impulse purchases. This might not be possible with a dull, boring design bearing machine. Obviously, this can contribute to the sales of the company as well as enhance business profits.

How Do Bill Validators Function In Planet Antares Vending Machines

2008-09-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for an interesting, lucrative way to earn some extra money, vending is the best choice. You can start with a small vending machine such as candy vending machines or go straight for larger equipment like snack and beverage vending. As technology continues to advance, new features are being incorporated in vending machines.

One such innovative technique in vending is dollar bill validators. In contrast to the coin accepting vending machines, these can accept bills and do not rely on coin mechanism alone. Thus, you will be able to procure and serve a wider customer base and maximize business profits.

Before you put a dollar bill validator in your Planet Antares vending machine or buy a vending machine which incorporates it, you need to understand the functioning of this component. Moreover, you will face situations when the bill validator gets stuck.

Various techniques are used for the functioning of vending machine dollar bill validators.
Dollar bill validators use various techniques for their operations. Validators of high quality use multiple techniques to accept new and wrinkled bills. They are also capable of recognizing counterfeits and thus, allow customers to dispense products after inserting genuine currency only. The bill validator will also verify the denomination of the currency.

The following are utilized for bill identification:

Sensors
As US currency has magnetic ink on the bills, bill validators use a sensor to detect whether the bill is of the right denomination or not and if it is legal or fake.

Photocell
This technique is similar to a tiny camera in functioning. The bill is compared to patterns stored in memory of the validator to determine the different denominations required for different products.

In certain cases, bill validators may not function properly or display a “transaction failed” message when excessively wrinkled bills are inserted. The quality of your vending machines will also determine the operative efficiency of the bill validator.

Select vending machines that have good quality and works well with a bill validator. Reliable equipment such as those supplied by Planet Antares Inc includes high-end features such as multiple payment options including dollar bill validators. This can act as a key to enhance customer satisfaction and convenience as well as provide greater returns to vending operators.

Value Of Planet Antares Vending Business IQ

2008-08-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

No longer will you have to wonder how to gain your financial freedom. If you start a vending machine business, it will be very easy to gain financial control of your life and make substantial income as well. If you are smart about it, you can reap great benefits from this unique opportunity.

Start by collecting information about the vending business before you enter the industry. Many people who may end up with a loss making business rather than a rewarding venture due to their ignorance and short sightedness. To avoid making any such errors, make sure that you are capable of handling a vending business and it suits your requirements.

Becoming a vending business operator requires purchase of quality vending machines. Look for a reliable vending machine company like Planet Antares Inc that offers good quality vending machines at affordable costs. No need to invest in cheap equipment that requires frequent repairs. You will get value for your money and the more you invest, better will be the results of your machines and business.

Verify the experience and expertise of the vending company. Try and visit their physical office or their website to get information about their services, products offered and various models of vending machines available. The vendor may be a distributor, manufacturer or new start-up. A good idea will be to talk to existing customers and read online reviews to understand which vending machine can fulfill your requirements and fit in your budget as well.

Even after getting all these things in order, you might face problems in running the vending business. Ranging from minor problems to major issues, technical support teams of the vending company should handle it all. A good vendor like Planet Antares Inc will offer prompt and expert technical solutions for your vending machines.

Steer clear of fraudulent schemes and vending opportunities lurking online as well as offline. Select a vending company with care and thorough research to get good results. This may not be possible in the first attempt but patience and dedication will be essential in setting up and running a smooth, profitable vending business.

Tips For Expanding Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-08-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

Different vending business owners have different goals. While some of them look at vending as a part-time, parallel income opportunity, others start a vending business on a full fledged level. The common factor is that vending of any kind involves hard work and professional treatment.

As in any other business, Planet Antares vending needs to be setup in a proper, step by step manner. It is not a ‘get rich’ scheme which will provide extraordinary rewards as soon as your vending machines start operating. You must be careful about the selection of vending machines, products, location and maintenance to get the best results.

Starters must focus on the location of their vending machines in effective places. Every place cannot generate the same level of income but a few may provide huge income potential. In reality, it is a matter of your creativity and strategic ability. You should be able to convince business owners of existing locations to try your vending machines and explore new places as well.

Quality machines such as Planet Antares vending machines will start making money within the first year of investment. Once they start making money, you should think of expanding your business operations by looking for new locations for new equipment. You may even have to replace the machines that are not performing well. Gradually, you can move to locations with greater potential.

Another factor that has an impact on vending locations is the seasons and holidays. Customer traffic will vary according to different times due to these factors. Relocation may even result in lower sales than the previous place. Critical factors may have been ignored, new personnel may be inefficient or there may be lesser customer demand for selected products.

You cannot make accurate predictions about the success of any particular location. It depends on the efforts of the vending operator and effective matching of the machine, customer preferences and products. Commission is another issue to be paid attention. Negotiate and team up with a charity to minimize such issues.

Ready To Become A Planet Antares Vending Operator?

2008-08-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

If you want to setup and run a vending business successfully, you need to be clear about certain things. For those who treat it as a pastime, vending will hardly produce good returns for a long period of time. It requires serious efforts, commitment and capital to work.

Thus, you need to start your vending business on the right foot. With so much information available these days, there will be no problem in gaining knowledge about the basics of this business and the various aspects that need your attention.

It is important to be smart enough and avoid the scams that commonly offer cheap vending machines and promise high returns. Keeping price of equipment as the top priority can be a big mistake. Focus on the quality and capability of the vending machines as this is what determines your success or failure. Choose reliable, durable vending machines like those offered by Planet Antares Inc.

Next, you need to pick the right products and locations for your vending machines. These are very important factors that can affect your success or failure in the vending business. So, you must pick vending location carefully. Moreover, you must match the location with the vending machines, products and needs of the customers to develop an effective combination of all aspects.

The task of choosing ideal locations can be done on your own or through professional vending machine locators. Planet Antares Inc offers vending products and locating service along with the vending machines. They can offer relevant guidance for the best locations and help you in obtaining them.

A significant element of successful vending is choosing the right products for your vending machines. Go for branded, high quality products that are always in demand. Other than the conventional bestsellers, latest products that are in demand should also be offered to arouse customer interest and increase chances of impulse buying.

You must also plan your schedule in order to ensure periodic filling and servicing of vending machines. Customers will only be satisfied when your vending machines function properly at all times.

Things To Consider About Vending Machine Franchise

2008-08-11T08:51:00.001-07:00

As a beginner in the vending industry, you must know that there are various kinds of vending machine franchise. Vending machines may already have been installed in different locations with a vending route offered for sale. You must go to such places and inspect the machines to determine whether they are in workable condition or need repairs for efficiency.

Make sure that the vending machines are not excessively depreciated or need a lot of expenditure. This can reduce your profits. You are acquiring an exclusive right to the vending machines by taking a vending machine franchise. This means that the cost of vending machines should be lesser than the returns provided by them.

There are several factors that you need to consider before going for a vending machine franchise, including:

1. You need to ensure that the franchise is taken from a well experienced, reliable person or company like Planet Antares Inc, with a good record of vending machine sales.

2. Enquire about the kind and amount of products that can be purchased by vending customers. Also, estimate the cost of buying the products, filling and restocking the vending machine.

3. The level of product sales also depends on the location of your Planet Antares vending machines. A strategically placed vending machine can attract many customers and enhance the chances of impulse buying. So, your machines must be placed in heavy traffic, accessible locations. Planet Antares provides vending locator services to help you find the best location for your machines.

4. Evaluate the reason for the offer of a vending machine franchise. If you can get the franchise of a company selling a new product, it is a good opportunity to create a brand image in an untapped niche and get high sales and revenue.

5. Check the viability of the products to make better decisions about the number of vending machines to start with. You should go on the vending route before buying the vending machine franchise. After observing the customer preferences and machine sales, you can increase the number of machines and think about business expansion.

6. Tasks such as refilling and servicing of the machines, repair and overall maintenance will be a part of the responsibilities of a vending machine franchise business. You may also have to give a commission as part of profits to the business owners in whose premises you will keep the machines.

Make sure that you understand all these aspects of a vending machine franchise to start a low investment business with substantial financial rewards.

Upcoming Challenges In The Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-08-07T00:12:00.000-07:00

All over the country, vending operators are facing the most challenging business environment ever. As a result of this, they need a plan to give them direction. Planet Antares Inc can offer existing vending operators as well as beginners with strategies that will help you to go through unstable economic situations. In times of recession, operating costs will rise and the opportunity to increase sales will become almost impossible.

In the current economic situation, all size companies get sufficient reasons to make an effective business plan. This will help in organizing “hard data” in a way that will give a Planet Antares vending business direction. The more the amount of such data, the better you can set goals and monitor business performance.

Planet Antares vending programs have plans that show vending operators how the different operations will be carried out and deploy the resources over a period of time. This is essential information if you want to maximize profits. The major part of the plan will focus on the deployment of capital and operating cash flows that are generated. The use of all company resources is covered by a business plan, including human resources.

In view of the present industry scenario, planning has become more important than ever before. Apart from being one of the most challenging economic environments faced by the vending industry, the current business climate requires more direction than in the past. Customer needs are prone to frequent changes and as a Planet Antares vending operator serving a large metropolitan area, you need to understand the demographics of the customer base.

Research is an important aspect of successful business. Customer preferences may differ from one location to another. Thanks to technology, there are better way to enhance customer service. If you have a large vending business, it would be a good idea to make investment in some of the technologies that are in the market today.

Vending software allows vendors to gather financial information quickly and more accurately. This information will be used to improve customer relations. The internet also allows companies to find information about products and strive for better product selection. You must analyze which products are the best for your Planet Antares vending machines.

Customization Of Planet Antares Vending Vehicles

2008-07-31T01:02:00.001-07:00

Most vending operators start out with limited capital investment in their vending business. This should encourage them to buy a customized vehicle instead of hesitating to do so. A vehicle with fewer racks, room for refrigeration or a less expensive cooler using ice packs means the same vehicle can be used for years on end y adding more racks and changing out cooler options.

Planet Antares operators as well as others have been making requests for roll up side doors but when they get to know the price, there is great resistance on their part. It costs about $2000 to have two doors installed. It all just depends on how the warehouse is set up. If it has a low dock, it is a disadvantage because the driver has to get off the dock to load from the outside.

There is greater efficiency in the side doors of new trucks with efficiency, ergonomics and safety being some of them. It is better than nothing to place shelving systems in existing trucks but full benefits will come with roll up side doors only. The highest demand for these doors comes from medium sized vending companies. There is also a lot of demand from small companies with few routes, because they have experienced the benefit firsthand.

You will definitely witness improved efficiency with the customization of the route vehicle for your Planet Antares vending operations. If a truck breaks down and a driver has to use a different vehicle, he or she will still know where all the products are kept and thus, will not lose any time in searching for them.

Certain Planet Antares vending operators prefer to have the installation done in-house instead of sending the vehicle to a manufacturer to get it customized. The operators may decide to buy kits and put them in vehicles.

By making the installations on your own, it will take you longer but you would get the exact specification that you want. Route drivers have input into what they will need that will make their job much easier.

In the end, customization of the interior of a vehicle with high quality material that is meant to take a beating, hold the weight and adjust a growing business, will save cost for your Planet Antares vending business in the long run. A well designed interior is worth its price when it comes to product poundage, route driver ergonomics and efficient servicing.

Tips For Vending Route Buying

2008-07-02T06:07:00.001-07:00

If you are planning to start your own vending business, there are many different options that can be used to do that. The most common way to get started is to purchase vending equipment from a reliable company like Planet Antares Inc. you will come across many different vending programs that claim to be lucrative business opportunities. However, it is your responsibility to choose the right one for your business.

One of the best ways to get into the vending industry is to buy an already established vending route. This means that you will get existing vending locations, machines and customers of the machines. Evidently, this will save a lot of time and energy on your part. In case you are interested in this option, read on for more detailed information.

When you have made up your mind to become a vending machine business owner, start searching for vending route sales. These are usually advertised in newspapers and local dailies. Go through the different options and try to look for vending routes in your area or surrounding areas for greater convenience.

When you visit the vending locations, make sure that you examine the existing vending machines properly. These should be in good condition and work properly. There should not be need for regular servicing of the vending machines. Many times, vending routes on sale have faulty vending equipment that keeps breaking down frequently. This is an unwanted scenario that can be quite costly for the vending operator.

It is also essential to enquire about the reasons for sale of the vending route. The previous owner should disclose the reasons for getting out of the vending business. Some of the common factors that result in vending route sales include the following:

1. The previous owner may be shifting to a new location.
2. They may be changing their line of business.

Whatever the reason for the sale of vending route, it is worthwhile to confirm that it is a valuable investment and not a waste of your money. to make a good decision is important to ensure setup and running of a successful vending business.

Viable Planet Antares Vending Opportunity

2008-06-27T06:34:00.001-07:00

Since the beginning, vending operating costs have increased substantially. Still, financial realties make Planet Antares vending a good and lucrative opportunity for the serious entrepreneur.
Perhaps, vending is the last truly viable business opportunity for people with entrepreneurial skills to earn a decent income. Even though the vending industry has consolidated and has become more expensive for a business to enter the “big league”, there is still scope for the small enterprises to setup and make profits. This will not change anytime in the near future.

Most people find vending a very attractive and viable option for earning some extra money. While some prefer to start it on a part time basis, others build it into a full time venture. Vending opportunities offered by Planet Antares Inc are both easy-entry as well as flexible. You cans tart your own vending business from home and also decide how quickly to grow the business. Due to these qualities, it is a very attractive business program.

To begin with, you can purchase just one or two vending machines. Planet Antares glass front snack and cold drink vending machines are available at very competitive rates in the market. If you have reasonable amount of equity at home, it would not be difficult to finance the purchase.
Your garage can be used to store products and your car for transporting them to different vending machines. Once you have started running your vending business, opt for locations that generate average minimum sales of $100 per week, per machine and keep the commission costs below 10 percent of sales. Make sure that the products are priced in a way that you can derive at least 50% gross profit.

Eventually, you may decide to shift your business out of home. At that time, your startup costs will rise to that of running a full fledged business. The new establishment will bring along additional costs, so in order to provide the additional revenues to pay for all this, you will have to get more customers and machines for your Planet Antares vending business. As per the size of the entity, the Return On Investment will also vary. In an individually run business, operating out of home may make it possible to earn a realistic 40-50 percent ROI.

Start-up Guide For Planet Antares Vending Operators

2008-06-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

If you want to benefit from a unique home based business opportunity, Planet Antares vending can help you get into the snack and beverage vending business quickly. This is a booming industry that virtually anyone looking for a lucrative business opportunity can participate in. By becoming the owner of a vending business, you can join in this rich tradition that Americans have been enjoying for many years now.

Lots of people have lost everything because they started with their vending business on the wrong foot. To avoid making such mistakes, you need to be wary of “new” vending concepts. This means that you need to carry out lots of research before venturing into the vending business. Selling new and currently popular products is not as certain as selling the traditional favorites such as snacks and beverages. With the right vending program, you can never go wrong, especially with Planet Antares vending programs.

You need to have access to sufficient funds in order to start a vending business. in the beginning, you can start with one or two vending machines, while running the business from home. A vending business can be part time or full time. If you plan to operate it on part-time basis, you will find that you are limited in the type of locations that you can have. Make sure that the locations are open in the hours that you are not working at a regular job. Adjust your schedule in a manner that you can service your vending machines efficiently. Speak to existing customers to get advice that proves to be helpful in avoiding costly mistakes.

Planet Antares offers quality vending machines as well as great vending programs that help you choose the right locations for the vending machine. This is essential as the two need to go well together. The research carried out before deciding to venture into the vending business will come in handy when you are looking for the right location. If the place doesn’t seem to be right, it most likely is not. Usually, snack and beverage vending machines do well in high traffic locations.

To ensure business success, you need to invest in quality vending machines. There should be no mechanical problems faced frequently with the vending machine, since it will lead to loss of sales.

What To Consider While Buying Planet Antares Vending Route

2008-06-06T06:14:00.001-07:00

If you want to start your own vending business, there are several options that can be used for the same. The most common way to get started is to purchase vending equipment from a reliable company like Planet Antares Inc. A lot of vending programs will claim to be the best in the market and promise to offer lucrative business opportunities. However, it is your responsibility to choose the right one for your business.

A great way to start your vending business is to buy an already established vending route. This means that you will get existing vending locations, machines and customers of the machines. This will help you in saving a lot of time and energy. In case you like this option, read further for more detailed information.

After making up your mind to become a Planet Antares vending business owner, start searching for vending route sales. These are usually advertised in newspapers and local dailies. Browse through the various options and try to look for vending routes in your area or surrounding places for more convenience.

When you visit the vending locations, don’t forget to examine the existing vending machines properly. These should be in good condition and work properly. There should be no need for frequent servicing of the vending machines. Many times, vending routes on sale have faulty vending equipment that keeps breaking down frequently. This is an unwanted situation that can prove to be quite costly for the vending operator.

Moreover, it is important to enquire about the reasons for sale of the vending route. The previous owner must disclose the reasons for getting out of the vending business. Some of the common factors that lead to vending route sales include:

• Previous owner moving to a new location
• Change of line of business

No matter what the reason for sale of vending route, it is essential to confirm that it is a worthwhile investment and not a waste of your hard earned money. Make a good decision to ensure setup and running of a success vending business.

Finding A Supplier For Your Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-06-02T02:54:00.000-07:00

With a Planet Antares vending business, you will get information by the company regarding the kind of supplier that should be engaged for your vending business. The company will also help you understand that you need to sell products that the customers will buy. Some of these include snacks, candy and beverages. This is the reason why snacks and beverage vending is considered very lucrative.

Start looking for a supplier in your local area as you won’t have to drive a long distance to buy supplies for your vending machines. Planet Antares provides this information to you but you can also search the internet for information on the suppliers in your area. Make sure that the supplier has all the products that you want to purchase.

When a product is new in the market, the supplier should have it, especially if the product is popular among the customers. If you want to beat the competition in your business, you should be alert and aware about the products that are popular in your area at any particular time. When you have that information, ask your supplier for these products. Market trends keep changing and you must remain updated with how the various products are doing in the market.

Other than this, the supplier will also provide you with information on the products that you want to sell in your vending machine. This implies that for your Planet Antares vending business, you need to find a supplier of snacks and beverages. They will lead you to good locations as they deal with a huge number of operators. Perhaps, the best advice regarding effective products and locations can be provided by suppliers only.

For Planet Antares snack and beverage vending machines, you will need to buy branded products as well. These have the power to sell themselves so your supplier should be able to provide you with these items. Always buy large stock of items for your vending machines. Your supplier must sell the products in bulk so that you don’t keep going back for the refilling of stock. This means that you need to arrange for storage of the products also.

Remember that it is crucial to buy products from a reliable vending machine products supplier. They must provide fresh stock instead of those that are about to expire. This is imperative to keep customers happy and satisfied.

Finding A Niche With Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-05-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

With Planet Antares vending, it will be much easier to find your niche in the vending industry. The best thing about the vending business is that you don’t need any experience to get started. It will not be detrimental to make mistakes while setting up your own vending business. This is a unique opportunity to generate a second income or even a main income for you.

If you are able to find an existing Planet Antares vending business for sale, that would be the best vending opportunity of all. Take your time to evaluate the business before taking the final plunge. This is to ensure that the business is doing well. There are many people that have bought established vending businesses that are not doing well and they end up getting overburdened. If the previous owner had locations that were not making money, it will not be easy to turn the business around.

Remember that the vending business is not a get rich scheme. It requires work and planning like any other business. It also requires you to make an initial investment. It is essential that you understand the basics of vending business. You can’t just place vending machines in any location and think that they will make money for you.

To start your vending business, you will need an excellent vending program such as that provided by Planet Antares Inc. With that, you will slowly get to know the best locations for your vending machines. It is equally important to buy quality vending machines. To move your vending business in the right direction, you must point the right vending machines in the right location.

Carry out research for areas that already have vending machines so that you can get to know how those vending machines are doing in that area. Different vending machines are suitable for different locations. For your vending business, search for locations that will work well for snacks, beverages and food items. If there are already vending machines in a location, it is a positive sign that vending machines do well in that location. For high traffic places, snack and beverage vending machines are the best option.

After placing your vending machines, you must learn how to beat the competition as there will be other vending operators to compete with. Keep the machines in good condition with regular servicing and cleaning. This also helps in attracting customers to the vending machine. Planet Antares vending machines will not have any problem in gaining attention from potential customers.

When you find your niche in the vending industry, it won’t take long for profits to start rolling in and within no time, you would have paid off the money invested in the vending machines. As your business gains financial stability, you can think of expanding it by purchasing more equipment and acquiring more locations.

What To Consider About Planet Antares Vending Business

2008-05-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

When you go about it in the right way, it becomes very easy to achieve financial success with vending business. In the constantly changing vending machine industry, you cannot allow your vending business to remain stagnant. The vending business has turned extremely competitive, so you need to implement strategies that ensure profitability.

Here are some of the points that need to be kept in mind while starting your own Planet Antares vending business:

When you have a secured vending machine location, don’t consider it to be a safety net. You will have to give your locations the attention and service that they deserve and this must be understood by all Planet Antares vending operators. Good customer service is key to success in the vending industry. This is because it is based on reputation and word of mouth advertising. Your business should have excellent reputation so that the word of your vending services can spread. If the clients of your vending location are unsatisfied, it won’t take long for a vending business competitor to take over that location.

As a Planet Antares vending operator, it is imperative for you to extend your oversight beyond your company office. The first thing that you can do is to get into the field and get to know individual customers at the locations. This can be done by carrying out periodic location visits. You must talk to vending machine users and keep an eye on vending machine purchasing trends to help you tailor menus and services to specific vending machine locations.

By sharing information and vending machine business tips with other vending machine business owners, the vending industry can move forward as a whole. This does not mean that all secrets have to be disclosed. Sharing of information will benefit everyone as new vending machine trends or changing consumer demands are responsible for steering the vending industry.

It is not recommended to openly slander your vending machine competitors in any way. Fair play and mutual respect is essential to the vending machine industry. Healthy competition will only foster growth in the vending industry. It can result in a bad reputation for the vending industry as a whole.

New technologies like cashless payment options keep coming out in the market and you must keep an eye on them. This can prove to be quite beneficial for your Planet Antares vending business as it enhances efficiency and profitability through better service.

Since the vending industry is very competitive, you need to find ways to beat out the competition. By keeping the above factors in mind, you will be able to increase profitability of your vending business.

Why To Buy Planet Antares Vending Machines?

2008-05-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

For many years, people have been investing in vending machines and making loads of money from running a successful vending machine business. As a business, vending has evolved since its introduction in the U.S. it is a business that depends on several factors for it to be successful. You are bound to succeed when you use good vending programs like those provided by Planet Antares Inc.

To begin with, you need to look for the right vending machine manufacturers. Planet Antares vending machines are quality vending machines and they are worth every cent that is invested in them. These machines will not let you down because they are reliable and durable in nature. Moreover, they are also sold at some of the lowest rates in the market.

Sometimes, people hesitate in purchasing new machines as these are expensive. You won’t have to worry about this with Planet Antares vending machines. While using these machines, you will find that the money invested by you will be paid back within a short period of time. If you have good machines in a location, customers will keep coming back to use these fast and reliable machines. In turn, this will result in good cash flow for your vending business. So, you should not think twice before putting your money into quality vending machines because you’ll get great returns on them as well.

Locations are also important to the success of your vending business. A number of factors influence the choice of location. This depends on the type of machines that you have as well as the products that you sell.

The vending machine business allows you to plan your own work schedule and leaves a lot of time on your hands. Servicing of Planet Antares vending machines will usually take no more that one day of the week, so that will leave with plenty of time to do what you want to. You may take up a part time job or a full time job while still running your vending business. There will be more time and money earned from vending business to do the things that you could not previously.

If you take it seriously and run your vending business properly, it can yield good returns. To avoid any problems, you must ensure regular servicing and maintaining of your vending machines. By doing this, the machines will continue to make money for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In short, the right vending machines can pay off well in the long run if you handle them properly.

Public Concern About Planet Antares Vending

2008-05-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

One issue related to vending that will not go away soon is that of health and nutrition. As a Planet Antares vending operator, you can read about it every day, mostly in relation to schools and college campuses.

In order to spread awareness that the vending industry didn’t create the obesity crisis and are in fact, part of the solution, trade organizations are spending their member’s money to make the media and government officials realize their role in public health and fitness.

For the most part, Planet Antares vending operators support these efforts, which they view as a price they must pay for being in a business that is involved with the public health. They want to contribute to the well-being of the general public and reduce any negative impact on their health.
Still, it is a fact that obesity and nutrition have very little to do with daily business reality for the average operator. Any vending operator will be happy to offer products that have high quality and nutritional value if these are desired by the customers. This can be done through their purchasing habits, which remain the same as ever for majority of them.

In the private sector, a not so visible movement has emerged in the form of employee wellness. Employers have been forced by medical costs to consider multi-faceted wellness programs to ensure healthier employees and lower health insurance premiums.

Of course, the media will not leave the obesity issue for some time to come because it is a universal problem that has an impact on all sections of society. Time has shown that issues in the public spotlight tend to become larger than life, media attention feeds itself until the public loses interest in the issue.

Most of the Planet Antares vending operators have been satisfied to let their national trade association carry the weight of the health issue burden. However, a lot of them are learning that the issue has a direct affect on their vending business as well.

Last year, a campaign was launched to provide tools that help operators to address the media at the local level and enable them to participate in legislative initiatives at both the local and state levels. Another tool is the group support from dieticians who are ready to help Planet Antares vending operators work with legislators and other public officials on the behalf of the industry.

Response Of Vending Operators To The Ethnic Market

2008-05-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

Planet Antares vending operators on the lookout for ethnic products are more successful now as compared to a few years back. According to a survey, 90 percent of the vending operators believe that product suppliers are offering enough variety of food, snacks or beverages to meet the customer demands.

This is a great opportunity for those operators who understand the rising demand for ethnic products. As a whole, the industry seems to be slow to recognize the need to cater to this fast growing market.

Almost three-fourths of vending operators realize that their customer base is becoming more diverse in ethnicity. As reported by Planet Antares vending operators, the biggest gain was in Hispanic customers.

African Americans have also been cited as an ethnic group being served by a large number of vending operators. However, other surveys have indicated that this group does not possess any particular product demands.

While most Planet Antares vending operators recognized a gain in ethnic customers, only about 40 percent of all operators have reported success with the products targeted to these customers. This indicated the fact that only a minority of vending operators have offered these products to this group.

Positive results have been reported by the operators who have met ethnic demands. However, the challenge is to determine how much of the product mix should be geared to the ethnic audience when the customer base is mixed.

A large portion of the ethnic products have been offered in the salted snack segment, followed by food. The greatest product variety has been offered by this category for several years and snack machines have more facings than any other type of vending machines.

In the cold drink category, Planet Antares vending operators have also provided ethnic choices. As the number of ethnic customers continues to increase, vending operators will find it necessary to carry products that target ethnic customers.

Emergence Of Generic Technology For Vending Machines

2008-04-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

A perfect example of generic technology is the multi-drop bus, MDB, that is an internal communication protocol designed to ensure that coin mechanism, bill validators and cashless payment devices can be properly interfaced to a vending machine controller without any concern for manufacturing. The key benefit of MDB for Planet Antares vending operators is it being a generic technology.

Often, MDB has been compared to the plug and play standards that are common to generic computer component interfacing. A consistent standard is applicable to bills, coins and credit/debit cards. MDB indicates a movement towards open system architecture that allows a variety of peripheral devices to automatically become functional.

MDB is also called the multi drop bus/internal communication protocol (MDB/ICP). The MDB standard defines the serial interface equipment communicate identically. This system helps to capture transactional data, including method of payment, purchase price and change paid. On combining these functions with tie of transactions and column information, it can develop a good transaction record.

Moreover, this system enables Planet Antares vending machine controller to determine which coins the mechanism accepted, which bills were stored by the bill validator and how much credit is available through a cashless payment device. It is a method for the vending machine controller to direct the coin mechanism to pay out correct change. The MDB standard allows a Planet Antares vending operator to choose peripheral devices based on performance, reliability, price and features, as opposed to connectivity.

Instant updating of your vending machine status is possible with MDB. The system allows the attachment of an audit device that recieves information of all events happening in the Planet Antares vending machine through MDB.

Influential Factors Responsible For Vending Location Profitability

2008-04-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

The success of your Planet Antares vending business requires you to stay on top of numerous factors at the locations that spell the difference between profit and loss. The relationship can survive only when both parties derive some benefit from it and professional managers understand this. Even though this sounds easy, it is difficult to desing effective win-win relationships because by nature, business relations are adversarial in form.

The sad part is that in service industries like vending, many deals can be long term in nature. Over time, it is likely that the needs of one or both parties will change. As a Planet Antares vending operator, you need to understand that every location agreement, verbal or written, is or should be subject to renegotiation, at any time.

Just imagine the changes that may occur in the typical operator/location relationship over a period of time. The cost of some snack or soft drink can rise unexpectedly, which eans that the operator will have to increase prices. Then, the location will add a second shift and thus, require additional service hours or more equipment. It will cancel the existing second shift and unless changes are made in service hours, selling prices, comissions or vending machines, the account will not be profitable anymore.

At this stage, competitors may come along and offer lower prices, higher commissions or additional services. These problems must be identified and dealt with in due time so that the Planet Antares vending operator can remain profitable.

A lot of vending operators never solve the original problem. That is, building a realistic profit and return on investment into the terms of the original contract. Usually, the Planet Antares vending operator seems willing to give away the store without any thought to the bottom line. This happens in their haste to book the location and build the top location.

In reality, every location deserves a careful pro-frma analysis to determine the terms that can be offered in order to maintain the bottom line because location profits margins to deteriorate over time.

So, vending operators need to pay attention to the basic details of all the influential factors that can render a vending location successful or failure. After all, your vending machines and locations are two of the most critical features of your business and you must ensure their profitability.

Basics Of Vend Counters

2008-04-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

In simple words, a vend counter is a device that counts the number of sales made from a vending machine. This helps in preventing theft by employees who service the vending machines. Commonly, vend counters are found in full line vending machines like the Planet Antares vending machines.

Some vending operators that lack vending machines with vend counters compensate for the same by occassionally checking the cash amount in a machine ahead of time and then sending an employee to service the machine. This is a precautionary measure to avoid any sort of theft or embezzlement.

Many types of vend counters can be placed in vending machines. For efficient vending operations, vend counters are essential in your vending machines. These are electronically programmed to maximize vendible products. It will also ensure the accurate amount of space to sales for specific locations. They usually have user friendly features to enable easy handling by customers.

The number of transactions of your Planet Antares vending machine are counted by the vend counter. This way, it can keep a report of all that happens. In some cases, you might have employees who fail to give accurate reports of the machine transactions. However, a vend counter can help you get rid of such headaches. The employees will not be able to cheat on you in any way. As the owner of the vending business, you can compare the accumulated count from the counter with reciepts collected by the employee.

Some vending machines can be purchased with vend counters already installed in them. This will not require any extra effort or money from you. Beware of dishonest companies that disconnect vend counters to make the vending machine appear to be making fewer sales than it really is.

If you are careful while selecting and buying a vend counter containing vending machine, your will reap considerable benefits from it.

Design Of A Planet Antares Vending Machine

2008-02-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

For choosing a good vending machine, it is very important to understand the basics of vending machine design. It starts with the cabinet which is the outer shell made of steel and holds all the components that go into making the overall shape and capacity of the vending machine.

The second layer, inside the cabinet, is that of the inner steel lining known as the tank. Between the outer and inner layers, there is just enough space for a layer of polyurethane foam insulation. Together, the tank and foam layer regulates the internal temperature and protects the products from exposure to outside temperature changes.

Acrylic powder coating is used for finishing of the outer surface of the cabinet. This enables the Planet Antares vending machines to tolerate extreme external temperatures, sand, salt, abuse and other conditions that effect the vending equipment.

Storage of products is in the tank, even though these are contained in the cabinet. Feeder stack columns and trays are stored in the vending machines to dispense the products from the machine. A large rotating wire spiral keeps the products in place in every tray. Restocking is done with the help of feeder trays that slide in and out of the Planet Antares vending machine. This is enabled through motor controls that push the products out for releasing them.

You will find some vending machines with two doors, especially beverage vending machines. The inside of the machine is sealed by the internal door that provides insulation to the internal parts too. The outer door contains electric controls which are used by customers to purchase and receive products. Its elements include hinges, heavy duty hasps and locks.

To ensure that the cash inserted in the vending machines is genuine and of exact amount, coin and bill validators are installed in Planet Antares vending machines. Change makers also help in releasing the change after a purchase has been made and paid for by the customer. With the introduction of cashless vending technology, there has been a rise in the number of vending machines with credit and debit card validators.

Whenever there is a change in the mechanisms for handling and dispensing of products, there will be changes in design of vending machines as well. Constant market changes and customer preferences have made it essential for designers to keep looking for ways to improve vending machine design and make it more practical and efficient.

Vending Business Marketing With Your Website

2008-01-31T02:16:00.000-08:00

The internet has the power of improving business scale and customer base through effective marketing. To build a website for your Planet Antares vending operations, there are certain objectives that need to be considered and incorporated.

A website should serve the following purposes for your vending business:
• Communicate the services and professional expertise of your company to prospective customers.
• Generate traffic and in effect, more sales leads.
• Find a convenient alternative to telephone for the processing of enquiries about customer service and equipment problems.
• Preparation of business proposals, their simplification and modernization, for prospective customers.

The design of the website should be such that the user is able to get their desired information in the first few clicks itself. Unnecessary complication must be avoided at all costs. It is a good idea to use visuals and graphics that are attractive and interesting but not distracting. The user must get what he is looking for without getting frustrated or too much delay.

Remember that your website is a combination of several things. The design should match with the marketing strategies and elements. Other items to be included while designing a website are the company logo, letterhead, brochures, business cards and truck signage. Focus on the creation of a simple, easy to navigate and useful website that keeps as much information “above the fold” as possible.

As they say “content is king”. Your customers will not buy vending machines or products after looking at the website design only. You need to work on providing quality content that has the power of getting and maintaining customer attention as well as encouraging them to place an order.

Some tips for effective content include:
• short paragraphs
• white space on all content pages
• links within text
• precise, to the point style of writing

Lastly, you need to pay attention to the time taken by your website to load on a regular 56 KBPS modem. If it takes a long time, your customers will definitely not visit your website a second time. This means losing out on potential clients to competitors.

Make sure that your website stands out at all times so that it can contribute to the productivity and profitability of your vending business.

Pay careful attention to how long it takes your website to load on a 56KBPS modem. If the site doesn’t load quickly, your prospective customer will disappear and will go looking for your competitor. The aim of your website is to generate more sales leads for your Antares business, this means that your website has to stand out at all times.

Nutrition Concerns In Vending Business

2008-01-15T03:20:00.000-08:00

Obesity and nutrition are the raging issues of our times. Americans are becoming concerned about the increasing number of people who are overweight and suffer from obesity. Thus, vending operators and route drivers need to consider these issues for their Planet Antares vending operations.

As route drivers come in regular contact with the customers, they need to know about various issues such as obesity and understand the impact of their answers on the business sales and revenue. Everyone in the vending industry can feel the impact of these consumer concerns and need to respond accordingly.

Many health organizations are accusing the vending machines for the rising number of obese school and college students. One of the main reasons for such health concerns is the risk of type 2 diabetes plaguing obese school children who form a large part of the vending customer base. As compared to the last two decades, the number of overweight children in the age group of 6-19 years has almost doubled. These statistics have a direct impact on the vending industry and any vending operator will have to take notice and act promptly for facing this challenge.

After all, obesity is a complex problem that doesn’t have any simple solutions. You gain weight over a period of time and it can’t be blamed on one vending machine, snack or soda. If the amount of food consumption is not matched by the level of physical activity, an individual is bound to gain weight.

Vending customers are realizing this scientific equation and are becoming more health conscious than ever before. The vending industry has to make suitable changes to manage the trend towards healthier snack and beverages so that the productivity and profitability levels remain unaffected.

Given below are the most prevalent trends and suggested strategies for dealing with the same:

Healthy is better
people are looking for health-oriented food items instead of the tastier ones. It’s time to make modest changes in vending product selection of your Antares vending machines for promoting healthy eating.

Low carb diet
it’s the ‘in’ thing to switch to a low carb and protein rich diet. Health experts and doctors suggest this as a healthier eating choice and you will need to modify your product mix to include items that meet these requirements.

Solution products
people suffering from high cholesterol or hypertension demand products that will help in improving their ailment or health condition.

Must-have items
the essential vending products are being redefined with the rising health concerns. You will have to consider various options like soymilk, soup, tea and nutrition bars to satisfy the vital healthy eating desires among customers.

Important Raw Materials For Your Vending Machine Business

2007-12-31T04:47:00.000-08:00

The vending machines you use are the lifeline of your vending business. If the equipment is not reliable and built for sustaining wear and tear for a longer period of time, there will be need for frequent repairs and replacement of parts. So, it’s imperative to understand the basic make-up of the vending machines and know what goes into creating the vending machines that you by for your vending machine business.

Basically, there are four raw materials that are used to construct reliable vending machines such as Planet Antares vending machines. These include:

• Galvanized steel
• Lexan or other plastic
• Acrylic powder coatings
• Polyurethane insulation

For the larger part of the vending machine, galvanized steel with a thickness of about 10-22 gauges is used. The thicker gauges will be used for making the external doors, outside cabinets and internal tank. Thicker gauges are needed for these areas. The internal doors and plates, product trays and mechanisms are manufactured with inner gauges.

Planet Antares vending machines have a tough polycarbonate plastic called Lexan that are used in the front panels. The thickness of lexan sheets can range from 0.13in – 0.25in. For durability and reliability, lexan sheets are the best option. it is very difficult to break or inflame but rather easy to bend and give different shapes. Another unique property of this material is its ability to restrict light, UV rays and heat transmission. You can also get the product logos, illustrations and names silk screened on the lexan sheets. This makes it easier to place them in channels on the doors of the vending machines. In short, you can save money by using lexan sheets and lowering energy and replacement cost incurred every year.

The inside of the vending machines is insulated with help of the polyurethane foam. For applying his material, the process involves creation of a seamless, water proof envelope. There will be lesser drafts in your Antares vending machine as the foam will fill up the cracks, crevices and cracks. The foam is blown between the internal tank and the outer cabinet of the machine. In the end, it helps in improving the structural strength of your vending machine and makes it durable.

The surface of the vending machine is painted with acrylic powder coatings. These are colorful powders that offer the best overall exterior stability and can be combined with different products that provide great corrosion, detergent, chemical and stain resistance. You can expect excellent scratch protection and hardness for your Antares vending machines by using acrylic powder coating on it. Your machines will look smooth and glossy and attract customer attention. These powders also meet the governmental regulations regarding environmental protection.
All these raw materials make a vending machine reliable and durable. It is important to buy a good vending machine with all these features so that you can get value for your money.

Cashless Payment Technology For Your Vending Machines

2007-12-18T05:13:00.000-08:00

The advancements in vending technology have benefited the vending industry in numerous ways. It is now possible to enhance business profitability with the help of technical components and software that was not present in the traditional vending machines.

Cashless payment technology is one such innovation that has changed the working of vending business in a significant manner. the fact that such vending machines handle less cash and have the capability to track transactions from remote monitoring system, makes it possible for vending operators to enjoy higher level of:

• Internet control
• Minimize chances of fraudulent cash use
• Reduce vandalism and theft potential

A cashless payment system can definitely improve business performance and help in expansion through enhanced efficiency in operations. If properly implemented, this technology will be a great asset for increasing accountability and control the resource utilization process.

Here are a few important benefits of using cashless payment technology in your vending business:

Easier
A lot of people are unable to use vending machines due to lack of change or coins. With cashless technology, anyone can buy products from your vending machine. They just need a smart card or credit card for making payment. This makes it easier for the customers to make purchases and increases the customer base for the vending business owner.

Increase in sales
Vending is all about impulse buying. Cashless payment technology encourages customers to buy products instantly instead of searching for change to do so. Thus, you can expect higher sales with the incorporation of this technology.

Efficiency
As transactions become cashless, you can expect higher efficiency in processing and services. There will be lesser cost of transaction handling and faster selling process as compared to cash purchases. You also will have no need for currency changers.

Higher profits
You can increase the price points for your products without a negative impact on vending sales volume. Customers are willing to spend more money while paying through credit cards and this can be a great opportunity for higher profits for vending operators.

Apart from these advantages, cashless payment technology also helps in strategic marketing with the help of recorded sales data, price point analysis, cost streamlining, etc. your Antares vending machine business is only going to benefit from the use of machines having cashless payment technology.

Cashless payment options vary from credit card and debit cards, to smart card and to magnetic strips. Once you install the system in your Planet Antares vending machines, these are the modes of payments that can be used.

Many systems suppliers claim that the convenience of cashless payment options can increase the number of purchase transactions by an average of 15 % while the average revenue per sale can increase by 20% to 50% over prior same machine transactions due to the ease of multiple product purchasing.

Why Vending Business Is The Best Home Based Business?

2007-11-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered which the best home based business is? Out of the several lucrative options, vending business is highly recommended. You can easily earn decent amount of income from home and without excessive investment of time or money. Many people have started off as part time vending machine operators and gradually became full fledged business owners with increase in profits and experience.

If you are one of those people who want to be their own boss and find financial security, a vending machine business is the right choice for you. There are various advantages of choosing a vending business that are listed below:

Flexibility
You can start your vending business at any level, be it part-time or full-time. There is no restriction on entry in this industry. You have the option of starting a parallel business with a single vending machine or a full time venture with many machines.

Low Investment
For those who want to be independent entrepreneurs but don’t have the capital for an elaborate setup, vending business is an apt solution. There is no need to open an office, hire employees r incur excessive overheads. Your main investment is in vending machines, products and finding locations.

Profits
Most high quality equipment like Planet Antares vending machines is able to generate returns worth the invested amount within the first year. You can earn upto 80% profit margin with effective use of your vending machines. Also, the price of the products sold can be fixed at a much higher price than that at which it was purchased from the supplier.

Continuous operations
Your vending business does not have any working hours. It is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week business that sells vending products to customers at all times. Even while you are sleeping, there will be money earned by your vending machines.

Tax benefit
You can benefit from various self employment tax benefits like deductions on home mortgage interest, car expenses, utilities, traveling expenses, insurance, etc.

To get the best results from your vending business, conduct preliminary research about the various kinds of vending machines and products to get an idea about what you are getting into. Go online to read online reviews and get tips about starting a vending business successfully. If you do your homework and be smart about our choices, your home based vending business will surely flourish.

How To Insure Vending Machine Safety?

2007-10-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

For all the money, time and effort spent in establishing and running a vending machine business, no one would want to lose the rewards to a thief or vandal. There is hardly any business which does not face the risk of robbery and mishandling of revenue. However, as a vending operator, it will be best to take a few precautions and protect your vending equipment against theft and vandalism of products or income.

While small machines can easily be dislodged and broken into, large and bulky vending machines like soda/ snack vending equipment will be very difficult to move or knock over. You are responsible for keeping an eye on any malfunctions in the machine. Also, you can display instructions on the machine for customers to do certain things if a machine fails to perform the required task.

The need for anti-theft measures has led to the development of many new measures of security and protection of vending machines. Apart from the advancement in the basic design of the vending machines, there has been considerable improvement in security mechanisms as well. Now, vending machines are more durable, strong and safe.

You can purchase vending machines incorporating burglar alarms or install them separately. There are many new technological innovations in this field. Different types of alarms and sensors are available for various kinds of vending machines.

You can also install a camera on the front of your vending machine which takes a picture of every person who opens the door of the vending machine. if a burglar tries to break into the vending machine, his picture will be taken instantly.

Another way to protect your vending equipment is to connect it to a security headquarters so that the security staff is alerted as soon as there is any misuse or wrong handling of the vending machine.

If you are just a beginner in this industry, you can either go for high quality vending machines like Planet Antares vending machines that have sound security systems or buy a security cage which surrounds the entire machine and leaves the necessary parts open for customer access.
All these safety measures are suitable for different kinds of vending machine models, products and locations. You must evaluate the safety requirements of your vending machines according to the level of vandalism in your area or the various regions where your vending machines have been located.

Once you have provided for adequate safety measures, you can ensure smooth business operations, revenue generation and working condition of machines.

What Can A Vending Locator Do For You?

2007-10-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

With the boom in vending industry, you will find hundreds of vending machine locators claiming to be providers of the best possible service in the world. It’s important to recognize the genuine ones and avoid the fraudsters. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as it seems to be. Planet Antares Inc offers vending locator services to vending machine operators that enable them to earn high profits through enhanced sales.

Starters in the vending machine business may prefer to locate their vending machines on their own. On the other hand, you can go for a vending locator. This saves precious time for other business aspects. Rather than spending precious business time in calling potential location owners and preparing presentations to convince them, you can focus on plans for business expansion and profitability.

Be careful while choosing a vending machine locator. The company should possess relevant work experience and credibility. To get best results, verify the longevity of the vending locator company. This will help in establishing their previous performance and success rate. Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions of the service contract also. Before you sign it, you must be clear about all the contents.

You will find that the locator companies don’t offer their services for a single or a few machines. They will provide locator services only for large number of vending equipment so that they can earn high rate of commission.

The important characteristics of a good vending locator include:

Capability to find best possible locations for your vending equipment
Knowledgeable staff with the requisite expertise and professional skills
Measures to choose potential vending machines through research
Sound technical and customer support service
Flexibility in service deals to enable small, medium and large companies to take advantage of locator services

After choosing the vending locator company, place your vending machines according to the target customers, vending products, etc. Once you have located the machines at selected places with the help of a good vending locator, it’s time to start enjoying the benefits of your vending machine business.

Essential Facts About Planet Antares Candy Vending Machines

2007-10-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

Candy vending machines are immensely popular among children. You can see them almost at every imaginable location that is visited by kids. If you are planning to setup a vending business, candy vending machines are a great way to go about it.

For establishing a successful business, you need to carry out some preliminary research. This involves deciding about the size and style of the machine, products, etc. the price is also an important determinant. You will have to look for a good quality vending machine which fits in your budget too.

Used candy vending machines allow you to get both features and quality at an affordable price. This allows you to save money for later investment when you have gained sufficient experience in this field.

Size also matters. You will find Planet Antares candy vending machines in a variety of sizes. You can put these in different locations with varying amount of available floor space. So, a candy vending machine may be as small as 20 inches or as big as 10 feet. Before you make a purchase decision, think about the kind of candy which you want to sell. There is no point wasting your money on a small vending machine which can’t hold the chosen products. So, plan your vending machine accordingly.

Also, it is essential to analyze the various potential locations for placing your Planet Antares Vending machines. Buy equipment for small stores which doesn’t require too much floor space or can be hung on the wall.

Remember that your job is not over after purchasing and locating the vending machine. Presentation is imperative to arouse customer interest and advertise your products. Create an interesting display to get the maximum number of customers to use your vending machine and indulge in impulse buying.

Invest in the right kind of candy vending machine to get a good start in the vending business. Make sure that it is easy to operate, refill and service. Place the candy vending machines in strategic locations with large amount of kids and their families visiting or waiting.

Do your homework and earn substantial returns from this “sweet” investment in candy vending machines.

How Safe Is Your Planet Antares Vending Machine?

2007-09-24T04:53:00.000-07:00

Vending machines are not just a source of “all-cash” income for the vending operators. It is also an attractive source of getting money for burglars and crooks. This has become a huge problem for the vending industry. Breaking or hacking a vending machine has become commonplace and the rate of this nuisance is rising every day.

Usually, vending thefts consist of taking cash from the machine. The thieves break into vending machines and plunder coins and bills worth thousands of dollars. Such incidents have been reported all over United States. Not only does the vending operator lose earnings but the vending machine also suffers damage.

There have also been reports of the entire vending machines being stolen. There is extensive damage to machines with bill acceptors and coin receptacle being pried open, doors broken, products being stolen and money looted.

The cost of repair for such spoiled machines can vary from $50 - $1000 in a single incident. At many times, the expenses may go even higher than this. For vending operators, this implies huge additional costs, loss of revenue and reputation too. Reputable vending machine companies like Planet Antares Inc. emphasize on having sound security mechanisms for vending machines.

A new technique for protecting the vending machines against vandalism is cashless vending technology. This includes charge card accessibility wherein smart cards are put into the vending machine. There is a computerized debit mechanism in such vending machines which help in accepting payments without cash involvement and hence, reduce theft possibility.

Another way to reduce thefts is the installation of alarm systems in vending machines. Such alarm sirens may go off when a machine is opened without entering the right code for opening the door or when the machine is handled roughly or tilted.

Advanced vending technology allows some machines to take a picture of vending attendants when they open the door and don’t enter the right code. There may even be provision for automatic calling to a security company in case of any misuse or attempt of theft.

For locations with vending machines placed outside, you can order security cages to ensure the safety of your Planet Antares vending machine. This allows the customers to access only key areas like the coin receptacle, product selection buttons and the change returned. You must select the security cage according to the level of vandalism in your area and the security requirements of your machine. These may vary from one side protection to security for the entire machine.

Other than this, you can use high security locks, surveillance cameras, signs indicating prosecution measures for theft, etc. All these methods should help you protect your vending machine from theft and damage.

Tips For Making Smart Vending Business Decisions

2007-09-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

A vending machine business is a great way to achieve financial freedom and gain control of your life. However, you need to be smart about it. There are many people who may give you disastrous directions or take advantage of your ignorance. It is better to be aware about the various aspects of this business before you actually open shop.

The first decision for starting a vending business will be to buy a vending machine. Even though you must look for affordable equipment, cheap machines should be avoided. You get what you pay for and the cheaper the vending machine, the lesser revenue it will generate. These are usually available in the price range of $ 50- $150 and are not reliable. Even though you may save initially, the expenses of repair and maintenance of such machines will be many times more than the amount invested by you originally.

It is best to buy good quality machines from a reputable vending machine supplier like Planet Antares Inc. Do not get lured by attractive and cheap vending deals offered by relatively less known sources. You should also ensure that there is a guarantee on the machine and technical support is sound and prompt.

A good company will accept payment through credit cards and will not insist on “cash only” transactions. This indicates that the vending machine provider may not have a merchant account. Check their credit worthiness and payment security systems before you pay anything.

Experience also matters. The vending machine company may be a new start-up or even a distributor who sells machines manufactured by other companies. Enquire about their past record and business performance. You can even talk to their existing customers to get a better idea about their services.

Test the technical and customer service of the company to see if it is as effective as they claim to be. The technical staff should be adept at handling any and every kind of technical problems relating to your vending machine. This service should be available 24X7 to keep your vending machines up and running consistently.

Do not trust the testimonials displayed on the vending company’s website alone. Compare different suppliers for machine features and prices to get the best deal for starting your own vending business. There is no such thing as the “best machine” but you can surely find the right vending machine according to your business goals and limitations.

Virtues of Planet Antares Soda Vending Machines

2007-09-10T02:49:00.000-07:00

It seems like the soda vending machines have been around forever. Everywhere you go, you can spot one or more of such equipment. Moreover, these are excellent income generators for people in the vending business. So have you ever wondered why these machines are so popular among vending machine owners and customers alike?

While these are more difficult to manage as compared to bulk vending machines, there are various benefits of soda vending machines. Their capacity may vary from 200 to 500 cans and are usually found in offices and convenience stores. At the front, these machines may have branded logos or simple designs according to the products stocked by them.

The main advantages of these machines are:

Location
Business owners are more willing to keep soda vending machines in their premises as these are popular among all kinds of customers. So it will be easier for you to get your vending machine installed in good locations.

Capacity
Soda vending machines have much more capacity as compared to bulk vending machines and do not require refilling frequently. This also means that you can earn more per refill session, which is beneficial for your business.

Better business relations
Your relationship with premises owners will be good if you keep your vending machines in top condition. A soda vending machine is much bigger than the candy or toy vending machines and thus, requires the services of a mover to be installed in a particular location. This will even save your time and effort in shifting the heavy machines.

Machine servicing
Planet antares vending machines have vend counters which enable you to keep a record or track of the number of vends from a machine. This makes it easier for you to account for product sales and avoid misuse of the machine by employees or customers.

Multiple options
You can choose from a variety of machines and routes to find the right one for your business. One of the best ways to start a soda vending machine business is to purchase already located machines. This option may not be available frequently but if it is, you must go for it as there is saving of time and money without any need for finding new locations for your machines. If you are planning to buy a new vending machine, compare the features offered by different vending machine suppliers and the price charged. Also, there are many good companies like Planet Antares Inc which help you to locate and service your vending machine.

All these factors make soda vending business an attractive opportunity for establishing a successful and financially rewarding business.

Customer Satisfaction Is Top Priority

2007-08-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

With a Planet Antares vending business, customer satisfaction is top priority. When you have a vending business, you need to make sure that the customers of your vending business are satisfied with the services that you are providing to them. Customer satisfaction goes a long way in the success of a vending business.

The first thing that you would need to do is to invest in quality vending machines. Planet Antares vending machines are quality vending machines that will not let you down. These are vending machines that you can rely on. Nobody wants a vending machine that will break down every once in a while. This is bad for business and reputation. Customers should not find that a vending machine is out of order or that the vending machine has not ejected their buy or change. These are situations that are frustrating to customers. The owner of the location where you have placed the vending machines can easily decide to ask you remove your vending machine because it is not meeting the needs of customers. Quality vending machines have only to be well maintained for them to function without fail. Planet Antares vending machines are well maintained so they will not let you down. Vending machines in good working order means satisfied customers.

The products that are placed in the vending machines have to be products that customers want to buy. If you are serving a business that has a certain number of employees, you should make a point of asking them what products they would like in the vending machines. By doing this you will cater to their needs. With branded products, you can always be assured of sales from your vending machine. These are products that customers already identify with, so they can make a purchase of these items easily. Providing customers with products that are popular and the ones that they want in the vending machines is a great way of catering to the needs of the customers. These are products that you know that they will buy from your vending machines.

A vending operator running a Planet Antares vending business will be able to satisfy the needs of the customers by providing quality vending services. The vending machines provided are already superior quality vending machines. The operator just needs to make sure that the vending machines are never be out of products. As soon as a product runs out in a vending machine, it needs to be replaced. There is no point of a customer approaching a vending machine, only to find that it is out of their favorite product. Customers need to always find the products that they want in the vending machines. An operator needs to make sure that they provide customers with winning products.

How to Make the Most of Your Planet Antares Vending Business

2007-08-20T04:22:00.000-07:00

Vending business can be a lot of fun and give good returns on your investment too. Initially, you may buy small vending machines at a cheap price and slowly expand your business as the profits start coming in. While the cost of purchasing the Planet Antares Vending machines is a one-time cost and products to be dispensed are very cheap, the profits wielded by machines are all-cash and collected daily.

However, you should take care of a few elements to convert your passive, side business into a full fledged, financially rewarding venture.

Vending Machine Location
Location is a very important component in ensuring the success of vending business. Think of places with a large amount of footfall and waiting people. If your vending machine accepts only coins, it needs to be placed at places where maximum number of people may be carrying spare change. Like every other business, a lot of lucrative locations have been used by other vending companies. However, it is a matter of your intelligence and creativity to find untapped spots.
Impulse buying is the basic factor which leads people to use vending machines. Hence, you need to place the Planet Antares vending machines strategically at a place which is most convenient and bound to be passed by many people. You may even hire a vending locator to undertake this task for you.

Association with a Charity
This involves agreeing to donate a portion of your profits to a charity. You will get stickers showing the association, to put on your vending machines. Business owners, who may otherwise be unwilling to keep vending machines in their offices or other premises, seldom refuse to install a charity machine. They may even waive their own commission for such machines. This way, you can avoid a cut in your profits and also serve the community.

Professional Attitude
Even though a vending business provides you with utmost flexibility in management and operations, you must maintain a professional outlook and treat it like a real business. Make sure that your vending machines are in top condition, refilled regularly and keep the customers and location owners happy.

Keep all these things in mind to increase efficiency and make substantial profits from your own vending business.

Welcome To Planet Antares Vending

2007-08-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Welcome to Planet Antares Vending.