SECO is transforming the vending machine sector with advanced IoT solutions that optimize operational efficiency and introduce new opportunities for personalization. Thanks to the Clea platform and other innovations, SECO facilitates the digitalization and improvement of processes for OEMs, operators, and end users.
The vending machine market is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the advent of digital technologies and big data, which offers new possibilities to optimize processes and personalize offerings by adding innovative services.
SECO stands out as a strategic partner for vending machine manufacturers, providing end-to-end solutions in a continuously evolving sector.
Vending machines: A market evolving through the push for digitalization
Historically conservative, the vending machine market is experiencing a phase of innovation. The adoption of new technologies, especially in countries like Germany and Italy, is accelerating, leading to significant change.
Two main factors are driving this transformation: operational optimization and the increase in services offered to customers.
“Operators want to know which products sell the most and how their machines are functioning, collecting data from sensors such as temperature, voltage, and connectivity,” says Martin Duemling, Product Manager at SECO.
This information not only helps improve offerings but also allows for predictive machine management, providing added value to OEMs.
The market is moving towards more sophisticated telemetry and HMI solutions. Traditionally limited to basic information, interfaces are evolving towards new functionalities, offering opportunities such as using displays for advertising during user interactions with the machines.
“Vending machines offer a unique opportunity: capturing a person's attention for several seconds or even minutes. In this scenario, the display can become an advertising tool, allowing the company to offer this type of service as well,” he says.
Despite growing interest in a data-driven model, the sector faces technical challenges related to an large installed base and the specific robustness and repairability requirements needed to operate in challenging environments.
Vending machines face unique challenges compared to other sectors, requiring robust and easy-to-maintain devices. “Many vending machines are installed in public or unprotected environments, where it is highly likely they will not be treated appropriately,” Martin points out.
SECO: A long history of innovation in the vending machine market
SECO has a long history of innovation in the vending machine market, starting in 1992 with the development of an alarm system for these devices. In the following years, the company expanded its offerings, developing electronic components and, in the late 1990s, vending controllers specifically for the German market. Over time, additional features such as payment terminals and remote management systems were introduced, transforming SECO into a complete solutions provider. Today, over 200,000 vending machines use SECO technologies.
What sets SECO apart is its integrated and comprehensive approach. “We are an end-to-end solutions provider that helps companies in their journey towards digitalization by leveraging data,” says Martin. SECO’s offering includes solutions ranging from Edge Computing and hardware integrated into machinery to IoT connectivity and related services, supporting companies in their digital transformation.
SECO's IoT solutions to revolutionize the vending machine market
For the vending machine market, SECO offers essential components such as single board computers (SBCs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs), as well as the contactless payment terminal KarL4. Designed to integrate easily with any machine, even in retrofit mode, KarL4 improves user experience by simplifying payments. Thanks to its integrated connectivity, the terminal also acts as a gateway for accessing telemetry data, viewable via the Clea dashboard, SECO's platform for device management and data orchestration.
After the data is transferred to the cloud, it is analyzed by the Clea software suite to generate useful business insights. Real-time communication with integrated devices enables monitoring of all aspects of activity, from inventory to sales, as well as machine operation and management of potential issues. By integrating AI applications, data is transformed into valuable insights to achieve objectives such as remote fleet management, predictive maintenance, and operational optimization, contributing to increased revenue and operational efficiency.
SECO is not just a hardware or software provider, but a solution-oriented partner that offers advanced support and customization to its clients. With products like SBC, HMI and System on Modules, SECO allows OEMs to collect data without modifying existing machines, using data-logging devices like Easy Edge. This flexibility helps optimize the use of IoT technologies, improving secure data transmission and supporting real-time decision-making.
Another key aspect of SECO's offering is the independence of the software from specific hardware. This allows vending machine manufacturers to easily upgrade their systems while ensuring secure data transmission and more efficient operations. The possibilities offered by IoT, Edge Computing, and data management platforms are not only revolutionizing the way vending machines operate but also opening new horizons for innovative and data-driven business models