VendScreen Unveils Wireless Smart Device with Touch-Screen Interface for New and Existing Vending Machines

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VendScreen, Inc., today unveiled VendScreen™, an Android-based smart device, which displays user-specific promotions and advertising, real-time product updates, cashless payment options and refunds, and nutrition information in compliance with new federal nutrition information disclosure requirements. VendScreen™ retrofits to existing vending machines, providing vending machine operators with real-time analytical data and DEX data uploads for third-party dynamic route scheduling and pre-kitting. This device, coupled with robust, cloud-based service, brings retail-type promotions to vending machines for the first time, building value for users, operators and advertisers simultaneously.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110921/AQ72883-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110921/AQ72883-b)

Interface
VendScreen™ uses an intuitive interface mimicking smart phone, touch-screen technology, and features "Jen," a helpful on-screen avatar, which assists customers through every step of the purchasing process. Jen assists product selection to satisfy specific dietary needs, providing nutrition fact information prior to purchase, and offering special promotions and advertisements geared toward the individual customer. This unique interface allows customers to make cashless payments through credit, loyalty and online accounts, and allows for instant problem reporting.

Operators
The Federal Government is estimating the vending industry will require 14 million staff hours each year to label and comply with their new federal regulation regarding calorie disclosures on vending machines. VendScreen™ allows operators to effortlessly comply and virtually eliminates the burden of this disclosure requirement. Once installed, VendScreen™ seamlessly syncs with backend databases to maintain up-to-date nutrition information, removing the need for drivers, technicians or office employees to keep it current.

VendScreen™ automatically senses new products added, updating that specific machine with new nutrition facts and other product information. VendScreen™ replaces several single-purpose devices, eliminating the need for separate card readers or DEX upload devices, and seamlessly integrates with vending management software, such as MEI Easitrax and Streamware. Using industry standard MDB communications, VendScreen™ retrofits into virtually any vending machine; it fits into existing card reader slots utilizing the same bolt pattern and antenna connector, so installation takes only a few minutes. These features, in conjunction with its simple, intuitive interface and targeted advertising, give VendScreen™ the ability to increase the number of transactions per user, frequency of use, and vends per transaction.

Advertisers
Every day, 78 million people use approximately 5 million vending machines in the United States, taking 30-45 seconds to make their selection. VendScreen™ displays advertisements directly on vending machines during these few seconds, targeting consumers at the very moment they are ready to purchase a product. Using a small, motion-sensing camera, VendScreen™ tracks ad impressions and conversions while providing coupons to incentivize customers. It also accepts cashless transactions with fees sponsored by advertisers, making it a streamlined advertising medium.

With VendScreen™, ads can be changed and statistics can be viewed in real-time, producing quantifiable results by tracking which ads are displayed and the resulting purchase actions they produce, so advertisers know which ads are working and why. VendScreen™ brings the flexibility of retail advertising programs to the vending industry.

About
VendScreen, Inc. was founded by Dr. Paresh Patel, a lifelong entrepreneur with a passion for applying breakthrough technologies to established business models. At age 17, he founded Courtesy Vending to help pay for college, then propelled the company to twenty times growth in just five years to become the largest independent vending operator in the Portland area. Anticipating the rapidly evolving technology needs of vending operators, Dr. Patel again applied his entrepreneurial instincts, business savvy and industry experience to launch VendScreen™; a game-changing product which advances vending's position in the retail channel.

For more information, please visit www.vendscreen.com

VendScreen is a trademark of VendScreen, Inc.

Contact

Paresh Patel, Ph.D., MBA
Founder and CEO
VendScreen, Inc.
(888) 748-4249
[email protected]

SOURCE VendScreen, Inc.