Automating with Telemetry & Delegation
Mike Hoffmann
Vending Machine Expert
Explore the integration of telemetry and delegation to automate and optimize operational workflows for enhanced efficiency and profitability.
Automation & Smart Equipment Investments
This lesson reveals how to turn your vending business into a self-managing system using telemetry, smart tech, and gig-friendly staffing to cut costs and grow efficiently.
Remote Monitoring & Alert Rules
Mike never drives to check stock—telemetry tells him what, when, and by whom.
His North Star metric: $90+ average revenue per visit. Color rules guide action:
Green ≥ 70% full – ignore. Yellow 30–70% – queue. Red ≤ 30% – same-day top-off.
Notifications, Heatmaps & Smart Tech
Yellow alerts push to phone, red sends SMS, and all posts go to Slack.
Heatmaps reduce mileage. AI fridges and cooler cafés slash shrink by ~90%.
Vision sensors + smart coils eliminate jams. Parlevel & VendSys re-sequence routes to save 15–25% in miles.
Auto-Reorders, Labor Math & Roles
Auto-reorders via Vistar API, VendHub, and Costco Business. $1K in smarter KPIs saves ~$80/month in labor/shrink.
Stalkers hired via Craigslist ($20/hr) handle ~14 machines at 1.5 hr/machine/week.
Incentives: $1/hr bonus for 0% stockouts, 5% profit share post-90 days, equity slice for top performers.
Weekly Rhythm & Team Roles
Monday: run low-stock report, auto-generate pick list. Tues/Thurs: short top-offs. Friday: audit KPIs & approve payroll.
Roles: Owner sets KPIs, prices, and vendor ops. Stalker runs picklists and restocks.
Tech handles jams & service. Float covers PTO and urgent red alerts.
*****
Complete the following exercises:
1. Reflect on your current workflow or a project you are managing. Identify one area where implementing telemetry could provide significant efficiency improvements. Consider the type of data you would need and how it would change your decision-making process.
2. Think about the communication tools your team uses. How could the use of push notifications and alert systems enhance your team's responsiveness and efficiency? Propose a strategy for integrating these tools into your current operations.
*****
QUIZ
1. What is the primary benefit of using color-coded alerts in automation systems?
*****
Leave your comments and questions below.
*****