Tech Corner: The Importance of Technicians: Repair, Replace, Replenish

It should go without saying that as operators in the unattended retail industry, our business is dependent on the functionality of our equipment. For vending machines and coffee equipment, any down time is lost opportunity and a ticking time bomb until a customer lodges a complaint.

Unfortunately, broken equipment is inevitable, but there are steps to ensure that the down time is minimized. Technicians should aim to repair machine issues within their first visit, by planning ahead and stocking commonly used parts in their vehicles. Identify what these parts are and make a checklist to ensure the correct quantities are available – parts inventory should be checked regularly and replenished as soon as they are used up. Damaged or defective parts should be thrown out or clearly labeled pending repair so that they don’t get recirculated in the parts inventory.

Having well trained technicians is crucial to repairing your equipment in a timely manner. The common challenge is that there aren’t many formalized training courses readily available on the market – hence, a lot of technicians are ‘trained on-the-job’ with trial and error causing the ramp up period to increase significantly. Operators can leverage machine manufacturer’s training sessions and NAMA’s Knowledge Center as a starting point for their technicians to understand the basics and fundamentals of the equipment. As machines become more digital base, technicians will need to adapt to the ever-evolving technology.

Note:  CAMA members get access to the NAMA Knowledge Centre at NAMA member prices.  For more information on the online courses available go to https://www.vending-cama.com/membership/membership-benefits/professional-training