Creating a machine is a two-phase process. In the first phase, you open the Create Machine screen by clicking the Create Machine button and enter the general data for the machine. During the second phase, you define the machine planogram (the products inside the machine).
Step 1 - Basic data
First, you have to select the machine type:
Then, the system will open the Create Machine screen:
Code (Required): You can enter alphanumeric values to identify the machine. If you don’t have your machine numbering scheme, the system will generate sequential numbering for you (by default).
Description (Optional): enter some free-text description of the machine that will help you quickly identify it.
Machine Type (Required): select the machine’s type. Selection is made from a predefined list. This field is very important because the system behavior differs depending on the chosen machine type. See the detailed description of all machine types supported by VendSoft.
Make/Model (Optional): Enter free text to define the manufacturer, specific model, etc.
Key (Optional): describe the key you use to open the machine in free text.
Serial Number (Optional): enter the serial number of the machine.
Track Vend Meter: a flag indicating whether you want to track the machine’s vending meter readings (the number of items sold). If you enable this feature, the system displays the field Vend Meter on the Enter Trip Results screen and allows you to enter a value. It is not selected by default.
Track Cash Meter: a flag indicating whether you want to track the machine’s cash meter readings (the amount of money collected). If you enable this feature, the system displays the field Cash Meter on the Enter Trip Results screen and allows you to enter a value. It is not selected by default.
Track Credit Card Sales: a flag that indicates whether you want to track the machine’s credit card sales (the sum of sales paid with a Credit card since the last visit). If you enable this feature, the system displays the field Credit Card Sales on the Enter Trip Results screen and allows you to enter a value. It is not selected by default.
If you have some custom fields defined, an additional section will be displayed on the Create Machine screen.
When you are ready, click the Save button. The system saves entered data and automatically opens the View/Edit Machine screen. You can further define the machine’s configuration, i.e., the products in the machine, their quantities and vend price, mapping between slots/selections and products, etc.
This is the second phase of the machine creation process.
Step 2 - Machine Configuration
You define machine configuration - products, quantities, prices, etc., in the Edit Machine screen.
Depending on the machine type you selected for this machine, the configuration section will look slightly different, and the data you have to specify will differ.
Soda Machine Type
You have created a machine by selecting one of the following machine types:
Soda
Snack
Soda/Snack
Juice
Cigarette
Honor Box
Please look at how to further set up the configuration for soda machines in the article Edit Machine - Soda Machine Type.
Bulk Machine Type
Please look at how to set up the configuration for Bulk machines here.
Coffee Machine Type
Please take a look at how to set up the configuration for Coffee machines here.