Category: Vending Industry

In the past, companies made changes to break room technology for one of two reasons. The first was to solve a problem. The second was to be known as a company at the front of innovation.

Today, things are different. Many Jacksonville companies have started adding various technologies that change how their businesses run. The goal is to help employees and customers stay safe. But, once things “return to normal,” the challenge will be to keep these advances.

One such upgrade is touchless technology. Whether connected to vending machines, micro-market equipment, or office coffee brewers, touchless is the new “it” word in Jacksonville break rooms.

COVID-19 has made touchless options critical for break rooms during the past year. Therefore, it is essential to examine why and how this technology will be valuable going forward.

Everyone knows the scenario of being in a public place and wondering what else has touched the surface you’re about to touch. Most of us didn’t think twice about it, but the new awareness around hygiene is here to stay.   

Break Room Solutions

In Jacksonville break rooms, vending machines and micro-markets have a lot of surfaces. But the areas that employees touch most often are those where payments occur. Whether it’s a micro-market self-checkout kiosk or a vending machine, the solution is touchless payments.

The break room provider may offer several options. Mobile apps such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, a mobile wallet, or an app from the vending provider are a few options. The results, especially in heavily trafficked areas, are fewer Jacksonville hands touching the equipment.

Another option is the MR1 mobile platform or app. Anyone with a smartphone can use this app. Employees can contact the vending provider directly and share information about a problem they may be having. In many cases, the problem can be solved by just using the app.

Office Coffee and Technology

Office coffee service has also been changed by touchless technology. Many equipment manufacturers have modified coffee and cafe-style brewers so employees can buy beverages from their phones. All the employee must do is place the mug down, press a few buttons on their phone, and take the mug away.

How will your Jacksonville business adapt touchless technology in the break room? The Vending Station has various options that can help today and in the future. To learn more about our vending services, including micro-markets, vending machines, and office coffee service, please call us at (407) 891.7632.

Today’s break room is tasked to perform multiple functions. It’s a place to relax, to grab a bite to eat, and to have meetings. While the room’s look and feel needs to be inviting, the refreshment menu is even more important. Employees will go off-site for coffee or lunch if they don’t like the options, and that’s something every Orlando employer wants to avoid.

Fortunately, choosing a new break room provider doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a break room provider.

Break Room Safety and Wellness

In the time of COVID-19, health and safety practices are even more critical. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about safety procedures or about policies at the warehouse. A Orlando provider should willingly share what they are doing to keep everyone safe.

Choose the Best Fit

You might already have an idea about which service fits your organization the best. But if you don’t, a great service provider should be able to help guide you through the decision process. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing between a micro-market and vending machines.

For example, micro-markets tend to offer more product variety since they have more space inside the equipment. On the other hand, the larger micro-market coolers tend to take up more physical space in a room. The good thing though is that both micro-markets and vending machines can offer fresh food and healthy options.

Don’t Forget the Coffee

For many Orlando employees access to great-tasting coffee is almost as important as air. As with meals and snacks, offering office coffee service is one way to encourage everyone to stay on-site when they need a caffeine boost. A provider should be able to help you choose the equipment that fits your business best.

Break Room Technology

Today’s break rooms include several types of technology that help create a seamless process. The most visible one is mobile payment. Both vending machines and the self-checkout kiosk in a micro-market can be set up to also accept mobile payments.

At the warehouse, providers can use various technologies. Wireless tracking of inventory levels, pre-kitting, and scheduling delivery routes are a few. Tracking product inventory lets providers know when to swap out snacks and beverages that aren’t selling for more popular ones. Fewer delivery routes mean trucks spend less time on the road.

Now that you know a bit about choosing a provider, we can help you take the first step. The Vending Station offers a wide range of vending service options, including coffee service, filled with everyone’s favorite snacks and beverages. For more information, please call us at (407) 891.7632.

How will COVID-19 impact your Jacksonville break room going forward? The place that was once a great location to dine, socialize, and collaborate will need to change to better serve your employees and meet post COVID-19 needs. But let’s be clear about one thing—these changes don’t have to be negative. A safe, well-maintained break room is still a valuable benefit that positively affects employee morale and boosts company culture.

The following are six ways to re-invigorate your break room. (Please be sure to implement them in a way that follows the recommendations issued by public health agencies and experts.)

The Physical Layout

Depending on the size of your space, there are several options that can help encourage social distancing. 

• Limit the number of employees allowed in the room at one time. 
• Reduce or eliminate seating options.
• Move equipment and displays further apart if space allows.

Even without available seating, employees will still be able to enjoy the benefits of grab-and-go food and beverage options. Convenient refreshment options also encourage fewer employee trips away from the office during the workday.

Refreshment Selections

With the need for extra safety protocols, open stock and communal options should be replaced with more individually packaged choices. An increase in availability of individually packaged snack and food options will provide an additional layer of protection and offer Jacksonville employees a larger variety of on-site options.

Cleaning and Sanitation Practices

Cleaning and sanitation practices will need to become both more specific and all encompassing. Countertop surfaces and high touch areas should be cleaned and disinfected more thoroughly and frequently. Jacksonville employees should be able to easily access disinfecting wipes in the break room as well as hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations, which should be kept well-stocked.

Your Service Provider’s Policies

Break room providers operate differently. It is important to make sure your provider follows strict health and safety protocols. In addition to communicating clearly and openly about their COVID-19 response, they should share information about their warehouse protocols. Delivery drivers should perform the following procedures at every visit.

• wear masks and use a fresh pair of gloves or wash their hands.
• be aware and respectful of new processes your company has put into place to ensure your employees’ well-being. 
• thoroughly clean all equipment and high contact areas at the end of every call.

Technology’s Advantages

State-of-the-art technology can already be found providing many benefits in many of today’s workplaces. Begin by understanding which technologies your refreshment provider offers and encourage your Jacksonville employees to use them. Employees may be able to use their smart phone to pay for vending machine or micro-market purchases, report issues, request new items, and see your provider’s COVID-19 policies.

Employee Buy-in

Lastly, employees need to understand and commit to creating a safe workplace while employers need to consistently provide up-to-date communication to ensure new policies and procedures are being followed. Employers can post reminders and tips, especially in shared areas, and encourage and recognize employee’s efforts to follow new procedures. It’s up to each employee to create a workplace that keeps their co-workers healthy.

Do you need help exploring available options to create a safe and usable post COVID-19 break room or updating your current refreshment menu? The Vending Station can help with that and more. For more information about our extensive snack, beverage, and fresh food options, please call us at (407) 891.7632. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Jacksonville break room can either positively or negatively impact employees’ workplace experiences. Bland, dark spaces with snacks and beverages no one likes will turn employees away. Well-designed break rooms with plenty of comfortable seating arrangements and delicious snacks, beverages, and fresh food encourage relaxation, spontaneous interaction between colleagues, and creativity. Even though COVID-19 has caused many changes during the past several months and decreased break room visits, micro-markets and vending machines still have an important role to play as employees return to work.

Each Jacksonville employer will reopen their place of business differently and on a timetable that fits their unique organization. Promoting CDC recommended guidelines for “healthy hygiene practices such as hand washing and employees wearing a cloth face covering, as feasible” as well as encouraging social distancing or staying at least 6 feet away from other individuals and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily are just a few new behaviors employers will likely recommend.

A micro-market or set of vending machines is also a tool that Jacksonville employers can use to encourage social distancing, fewer in person interactions, and less time in unknown environments. For example,

• Micro-markets and vending machines offer cashless or touchless payment options including mobile payments and are great for grab-and-go situations.
• To use a micro-market, employees will scan their snack or beverage; scan their smartphone or swipe a debit/card; and walk away.
• To use a vending machine, employees will touch the machine once; scan their smartphone or swipe a debit/card; and walk away.
• Both micro-markets and vending machines are open 24/7, encouraging employees to stay onsite during their workday.
• Staying on-site instead of going off-site for a bite to eat or beverage helps employees avoid external and less controllable environments.

Jacksonville employers should also consider the types of snacks, beverages, and fresh food that will be offered. Making better-for-you choices is more important than ever. Healthier ingredients like fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that everyone needs to support their immune system. Bottled water and other healthy beverages help by keeping everything in the body hydrated and moving more efficiently.

While healthy options are necessary for a healthy immune system, it is also wise to offer traditional options that are “fun” or provide a mental boost such as chocolate and other snacks. Most Jacksonville employees have been under prolonged stress and enjoying a favorite snack or beverage can provide a bit of an emotional or mental pick-me-up. Offering a balance of traditional and better-for-you options will help employees find the products they need when they want them.

The Vending Station is here to help you safely bring your employees back to work. For more information about our sanitation and safety policies or upgrading your break room to include a micro-market or vending machines, please contact us at (407) 891.7632. We are here to help restart the Jacksonville economy one break room at a time.