VI: In terms of technology, can you chart the major developments and explain why your machine marks a major move forward?

PH: Our new PC Touch screen based vending machine has evolved from the vending machine we are shortly installing at the Visa Europe HQ in London. This machine has the new payWave debit/credit card contactless payment technology embedded into the touch screen based vending machine. The vending machine (based on a standard snack machine) is entirely PC based and allows full reporting via our web based remote management system. The machine is now an application based vending machine generating revenue streams unheard of in the vending industry in the past.

VI: How difficult is it to change the industry's perception of what a vending machine is and should do?

PH: I think the industry is beginning to see the need for change. How else can more revenue generate from existing machines unless they adapt the technology in the machine to allow other key revenue generating applications to be run to benefit the consumer? Competitive forces will force change.

VI: It sounds like you have been greatly inspired by online shopping in the engineering of this machine. How important was it that you replicated the retail experience?

PH: Via the touch screen we can provide an interesting experience for the consumer and provide some of the classic retail techniques available in retail environments ( including web ). Because the vending machine is Pc based we have developed a "retail rules engine" which will highlight special offers etc on the touch screen by day and time.

VI: You talk about ‘cross-branding' - how would this work and what are the benefits?

PH:Because we print vouchers out ( on special conditions) we can advertise on the voucher other offers from non vending machine brands. We can therefore, encourage retail brands to participate in the vending industry, which they will not have done before

VI: Can you explain how the contactless cards work in terms of convenience?

PH: Contactless debit/credit cards operate on the principle of tapping the reader on the vending machine to buy products up to the value of £10. The transaction does not need online authorisation and is therefore quick. We also allow multi-vend, which allows the consumer to buy several products from the machine and pay once. There is no need for the consumer to carry cash. Experience from other counties has shown that contactless debit/credit cards based vending machines have shown at least a 30% increase in sales and a higher transaction value - great for the vending operator- and less cash to count.

VI: Your machine also data captures; offering brands the opportunity to carry out market surveys/behavioural studies. Do you have full reporting software and how useful is it in terms of follow up marketing?

PH: Every transaction and touch button event on the vending machine is recorded via 3G mobile technology on the remote web server database and the data reports etc are available from our designated web reporting portal.

VI: Is there anything else you can add about the machine that makes it different from anything else on the market?

PH: We have taken a standard manufacturers snack vending machine and turned it into a touch screen based machine with full internet access and reporting. We are now including other applications to run on the machine to provide the buying public with an innovative retail experience in the convenience of the workplace and other locations.

e: per@touchgotech.com

t: 01628 647443

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