fogcity Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Are any of you full line folks using Cantaloupe Systems wireless monitoring for your machines? It appears at first read to be a great idea, but I was wondering what it costs per machine for the wireless hardware and then what the monthly monitoring fees are...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxer518 Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 They are really only piratical for very high volume locations and the only applications I have them installed in are glass fronts. Very expensive to but and keep running, unless of course your locations warrant it, I did some extensive research a few months back concerning remote monitoring and DEX hand-held software.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fogcity Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share Posted April 22, 2010 Someone told me it would run ~ $300 for the hardware plus $5-$10 a month for the monitoring fee, per machine... Is that your experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdydre Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I wouldnt touch it unless it was a VERY high volume location otherwise it seems pointless to me. Stick your number on the machine and save your money. One vendor I know makes the location pay for the service or charges them a monthly amount for the service and machine to be there. I dont think I would do that but its working for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I have taken a very hard look at Cantaloupe. Might still do it. Two concerns 1. I have too much legacy equipment, approx 50 machines that cannot be upgraded to DEX capability that will need to be replaced. 2. Cantaloupe is insisting on a one route set up, approx 60 machines to start. They don't seem interested in letting someone start small and add on over time. So that's around 20K to start. I can see the advantage of the system, even in lower volume accounts. I know when to service and don't go too soon and maximize revenue per stop. I also don't go too late and lose sales to empty columns. It also greatly simplifies cash accountability vs. the meter reading system I have in place right now, I can get that info downloaded automatically so I can save a lot of time in front of the monitor and spend more time here ;D ;D ;D ;D ; Maybe later this year... I am also looking at what I will do to comply with the nutritional labeling requirements, there are some interesting ideas out there coming to the market but until the "rules" are written and released it will be hard to decide what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdydre Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 I heard the system isnt reliable or accurate at times is this true? If so it might only give headaches instead of help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.weir Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Anyone used or looked into Easitrx? Its an Mei product and it seems good, but I am trying to find pricing info. http://www.easitrax.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 I heard the system isnt reliable or accurate at times is this true? If so it might only give headaches instead of help. I have spoken with three different vendors in different parts of the country. I found them on my own and not as a "referral" from Cantaloupe. Nobody had anything bad to say about them. Two were very positive and one was neutral, he had some problems with signal strength at some locations that made it difficult for those locations to be reliable. That's all I've got right now... still lots of looking around to do before I decide what I will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxer518 Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Anyone used or looked into Easitrx? Its an Mei product and it seems good, but I am trying to find pricing info. http://www.easitrax.com Yes I have looked into it pretty extensively and found that it will cost a minimum of about 20-25 grand for the very basic setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.weir Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Yes I have looked into it pretty extensively and found that it will cost a minimum of about 20-25 grand for the very basic setup.Okay well thats good to know. Is there not a system that allows you to start small and build up from anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxer518 Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 not really, there is one that is independent and its around 10K to start plus the cost of the hand-held and the conversion kits for any non DEX machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.weir Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 Thats unfortunate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyvending Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 try inone technology no commitment you can by just one box at a time they also do cashless http://www.inonetechnology.com ask for greg say happy veding sent you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I'm using them for 2 (just added a third) debit reader. I was aware of their system but to me at least the Cantaloupe system seems to be better over the long run. When comparing them this is what I found 1. Cantaloupe has higher upfront cost vs. adding as needed at InOne. Cantaloupe will send out consultant for a week to help with setup and training. 2. Equipment cost is very close to the same, InOne does have a more expensive contactless reader as an upgrade option. 3. With Cantaloupe you have independent relationship with bank for EFT transactions. InOne acts as your banker. 4. Monthly fees are less with Cantaloupe. A few dollars a month doesn't sound like much but when you multiply that by 200 machines and 12 months the difference becomes significant. 5. InOne meets higher security standard with data handling, not that there is anything wrong with the other system. Those are the major differences that I have found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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