Nick Bate, Managing Director at VMC explains: "Cashless systems offer a host of benefits over conventional coin transactions, and up until a few years ago it was as simple as that. Yet looking at where the cashless industry is today, we have moved on considerably from merely using a card for purchasing products at a vending machine.

"What we are now finding is that today's customer requires user-friendly systems combined with sophistication and reliability; touch screen tills, revaluation terminals and back office software that can provide a complete solution to smartcard payment requirements. When you combine employee benefit schemes, photo ID, access control and nutritional data management you start to get an idea of the potential of smartcard systems in the workplace. However, whatever we achieve with the technology one thing is constant, the need for speed is imperative and above all systems have to be integrated and simple to use."

Take for example one of the UK's oldest school's Hertfordshire-based St Albans School which recently turned to VMC to provide one of the most technologically advanced wireless cashless systems.

The school can trace its history from 948AD and it moved in 1870 to occupy its current premises at the Great Gateway of the Abbey in St. Albans. With over 750 pupils, and 130 staff, the catering department was challenged with providing around 2,250 meals and snacks every week. The school chose VMC after experiencing a range of problems with their old system.

The VMC system was installed without any real disruption and brought a host of benefits, according to Derek Todd, Bursar of St Albans. Derek explained: "There were so many problems associated with our old system; for instance if the system crashed information could be lost; the readers were very slow; and if the cards were dirty or greasy it took a very long time to read.

"As the tills were not wireless it could prove difficult to move them and more often than not we had to call out an engineer. So we approached VMC to come up with a more efficient solution."

The school now has a wireless cashless system together with management functions for the catering and bursar's office, which enables remote management of the system, managing card history transactions and individual card printing. A full backup facility also provides for system recovery.

Derek continued: "The cashloader machines have saved so much time for till operators. The previous system meant that the students either had to go to the Bursary to load cash on their cards or do this at the point of purchase. This meant longer queues during very busy periods.

"The new technology is simple to use, the tills are easy for training staff and, there is more information for the till user and customer. The software is upgraded when new versions are introduced and the queuing system is more efficient due to quicker tills. Our catering manager now has more information for pricing, trends and ease of use.

"VMC have done an excellent job. We were very impressed with their commitment to the project in terms of their time spent on site, knowledge and support. The after-sales service was very good, and the training given prior to the launch was excellent for the office software and till training. What we have now is an all-round superior system which works incredibly well for us."

Expansion move

The rise in cashless payment technology has, in fact, led VMC to expand its production and warehouse facilities to meet the company's continued development and future growth plans. The Warwickshire-based company, currently employing over 40 people, has opened a new warehouse and factory space at Southam, spanning 3,000 sq ft.

VMC develops, designs, manufactures, sells and supports hardware and software, for major vending and catering operators, as well as the end user.

The expansion comes as the organisation is embarking upon a major upgrade programme for Tesco. For 15 years, Tesco secured the services of Cardinal, who were acquired by VMC in 2006.

Nick Bate, commented: "This move is a key element of our strategic development plan and I feel the investment highlights VMC's commitment to building a major presence in the industry.

"Over the last two years, we have been awarded a significant number of contracts with high profile clients including Merrill Lynch, Barclays and DaimlerChrysler.

"We have invested heavily in product development to deliver new features such as the salary sacrifice scheme, and launched a dedicated City-based service team to support our portfolio of London based clients. Building the new facility underpins our long-term commitment to the growth of the business."

http://www.vmcltd.co.uk/

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