MikeFeldman Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Hey all! so i've been away from vending for a spell. I'm sad to say I've been neglecting my route for a while. I've just been overwhelmed and felt like i had too many locations and no organization, I've pretty much just been going by memory and maybe a post it note or 2, Which is impossible(for me at least) when you have 30+ machines. I almost sold my route the other day to a real creep for a low ball offer. I'm pretty broke but i was able to get an iphone 4 yesterday for free on my families cell phone plan. I'll probably lose a few accounts but I thought I'd dust off a box of gumballs and give it one last try. Does anyone run they're route/business only using an iphone? do you guys recomend any apps? or maybe just using a program on the internet and 3G? thanks Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toad Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 iPhones are a step up from post it notes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate9303 Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 You could just use a pad if paper and write the 30 locations down. Then write the date you serviced and how much you collected. I have an iPhone but don't use it specifically for my Gumball business. I use tododdledo (app) for my full time job. It help me prioritize my daily/weekly schedule. You can take notes with it and set alarms if you need help remembering. I'd love to know of any other apps a person might use. I use a legal notepad for my 35 locations. I list the date collected/amount collected/and product used. Pretty simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulkjake Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Google Docs or Excel spreadsheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiana Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 This has been something of an unresolved issue on this forum, in my opinion. I've asked, and seen others ask, and it would appear most of the community here do not want to use an iPhone, iPad or other means of keeping route logs in a digital format. And I would agree that keeping a dozen binders in the cargo van with dates, fill levels, etc. is perfectly serviceable. But what if a vending operator would want to use their phone or tablet to manage this record keeping? That's the question. I've often thought it would be so much more convenient to have my route driver update an app or other cloud-based software or service on an iPad mini or iPhone, and perhaps it could automatically connect with QuickBooks, and I could see deposits and machine performance in real time. I could push a button and view a nice dashboard of where I'm at and how I'm doing. This is appealing, and I haven't yet found the app or service that accommodates this need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdsflock Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 30 locations isn't THAT many. I have close to 50 and a pad of paper and pen while I'm running my route and Excel when I get home is enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiana Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 30 locations isn't THAT many. I have close to 50 and a pad of paper and pen while I'm running my route and Excel when I get home is enough for me. Exactly. That way would work perfectly well. But what if he or anyone else prefers to use a smartphone or tablet? He's just looking for options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepherdsflock Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Okay, but I wouldn't buy an iphone or any other device just for bulk vending with the number of locations he has. I guess it sounds like he would have an iphone anyway, so go for it. I wouldn't turn down an iphone as a gift, but I would probably sell it since I wouldn't want to pay for data fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmkraz Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have about 25 locations and use paper/pen on Route and then enter everything into Excel at home. But I use my Android phone on Route for GPS directions via Google maps, calculations (pounds of quarters x $20, then to calc commission), taking pictures of my machines or competitor's machines or the sign showing the locations hours (which I then upload to the location specific dropbox folder I setup), viewing old pictures if needed, and occasionally viewing my Excel tracking sheet on dropbox when I need to see some history to decide what to put in at that servicing. Oh, I also use it to show pictures of my machines when doing spur of the moment locating and don't have my locating gear with me. Yep, I get good use out of my phone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetstop Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have over 400 machines and its all on excel spreadsheets. I tried a couple vending programs and they just didn't have what I wanted. after the initial set up adding locs is as simple as duplicating a sheet and changing the names. formulas do all the math. I use a netbook, its a 10" laptop basically before tablets were the latest rage. haha Data is all added in real time in the car, It all boots from a zip drive from the car netbook and pop it out when I get home for my home computer if I want to make changes, review etc. works great for me I did try using my iphone on one of my routes with there excel conversion app "Numbers" it worked but was a bit commbersome, and unless you use a mac/Ipad when you go to use it back on a windows based system the formulas got all messed up. if I had a mac/Ipad etc as my main computer it may have been much better. the data would save from my iphone and automaticly upload to "cloud" then retrieved it when I got home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Track Amusements Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have an iPhone, but have found that my small three ring binder filled with route sheets work the best for me. The spreadsheet tracks location, machine, product, gross, commission, and repairs, or anything else you want on there. Everybody is different though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pie in the Sky Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I have 55 machines running right now, I use a ledger to keep track of things. I also have them all set up to service them over 2 days every 6 weeks. This all seems to keep things running smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Star Vending Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I found this to be an interesting topic. I am new to the vending business and if you read my introduction you will see that the use of technology is what helped me make a decision to buy my vending business. The use of my IPOD makes it very simple for me to manage my business. I currently have 9 combo snack/drink machines in 4 different YMCAs and 1 Red Bull Machine. I go to 2 locations with 2 machines each 3 times per week, 1 location with 3 machines 2 times per week, and 1 location with 2 machines 1 time per week. I fill the Red Bull Machine 1 time per week. I use Vagabond to keep track of the snack/drink machines. It has saved me so much time and is well worth the money. i do not use it for the Red Bull Machine - not necessary. I also use Taxbot to keep track of mileage and expenses - probably the smartest decision I have made since taking over the business. It is also a great time saver and well worth it. I only use an IPOD with a WiFi Card. This makes it very inexpensive to use. If anyone needs more information about this, feel free to reach out to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbuford Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I use my iphone as a phone and even text every once in a while. I do take pics of machines in locations and use those pics to show when I'm pitching to place new locations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotjosh Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Is vagabond worth it in terms of price or features? Are there other management apps? How do you interface your equipment to different apps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Star Vending Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Hi Josh, I think that Vagabond is worth it. It saves me a great deal of time and takes the guesswork out of wondering what the machines need. I am able to bring the exact inventory I need to each stop and stock all machines to near 100% if I choose without bringing extra drinks or snacks. Vagabond works with USATech as the sales data provider. This information is then sent to me through my laptop or the app. I am not sure if there are other management apps. The person I bought the business from was using Vagabond, so I just transferred everything over when I took over the business. I also use the Taxbot App to record my mileage and expenses. This has been great as well. I feel it is a must for all business owners. It makes it simple to track expenses and print reports. I am not sure of the exact cost of Taxbot, but I know it is very reasonable. I am able to get it free through a business group I am associated with. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotjosh Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 So for vagabond to work, all machines must be connected to a 3g modem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Star Vending Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I do not have enough knowledge to try to explain it to you, and I don't want to give you the wrong information. Go to the homepage of this forum and type in Vagabond. It will bring you to many different topics about Vagabond. It looks as if Vagabond has contributed information about their service to this forum. That should be helpful to you. How many/what types of machines do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertInPhilly Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Wow. That's an expensive program to use. MAYBE if it was a 1 time fee, but $10 per machine per month. No way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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