There’s an exciting development in the beverage industry… Real-time data analytics from fountain dispensers is a revolutionary technology that will soon be a “must have” for retailers and beverage manufacturers. Beverage Analytics provides unparalleled insight and the tools to help managers improve every aspect of their beverage operation. In a few keystrokes, real-time data can be viewed on an easy-to-understand dashboard and acted upon immediately. With Beverage Analytics managers can understand consumer behavior by brand, flavor, serving size, dispensing machine, store, region, and by any timeframe. They can also optimize pricing, ensure beverage quality, control waste, manage inventory, identify problems and improve profitability. This cutting edge technology is a game changer!
Lancer® has partnered with Weissbeerger™ Beverage Analytics, which is by far the most sophisticated beverage analytics on the market. Both new and existing Lancer dispensers can be transformed into smart dispensers with the Beverage Analytics module. The installation is quick and simple, and the cost for this critical information is approximately the cost of one soft drink per day.
How does it work? Sensing technology inside the dispenser provides metrics showing the volume by product, location, time beverage is dispensed, and machine performance. The data is interpreted and sent via 3G wireless network to a secure cloud server to a user-friendly dashboard, which can be accessed by approved users anywhere at any time.
Using data aggregation and predictive analysis based on past sales and key events such as weather and promotions, sales forecasting can be improved as much as 30%. It also enables managers to evaluate soft drink brands as never before. New product and longstanding product evaluations that used to take a lot of time can now be done instantly. Consumption comparisons detect trends which can identify slow moving brands that should be purchased in smaller bag-in-box sizes or should be replaced with a more popular brand. Understanding the market share dynamics by store, region, day and hour helps develop segmentation strategies. And it reveals the relationship between fountain, can and bottle drinks at the brand level so pricing and promotional activities can be optimized.
Price elasticity can boost sales as never before. Dynamic, short term sales promotions can be instantly implemented during special events, or slow periods, or when a bag-in-box syrup is nearing its expiration date and needs to be consumed rather than discarded. If the promotion’s impact exceeds or doesn’t meet expectations, real-time assessment allows instant course correction. Using benchmarks, the marketing campaign ROI calculator can measure the real-time success of campaigns, the after-effects of the promotion, and can compare several locations simultaneously. That means franchisee owners can now participate in multiple promotional programs and easily compare store rankings.
Automatic troubleshooting alerts are sent to managers if the machine’s performance changes. If the CO2 runs out, or the cooling system fails, or a valve fails, it will be immediately detected and immediate action can be taken to correct the problem. If a service agent is needed for the repair, the estimated sales volume loss during the failure, shown on the dashboard, can help determine the urgency of the repair. Or, if business is booming and an unexpected spike in demand occurs, perhaps after a local sporting event, an out-of-stock alert and automatic ordering can save the day.
Every precaution has been put into place to ensure your data is safe. Communication sessions are secured using SSL. Web server access uses VPN and RSA key pairs and an Amazon integrated firewall. Secured Linux machines use 3G SIM cards. And signed non-disclosure agreements maintain confidentiality.
Beverage Analytics by Lancer delivers impressive results: volume and revenue growth, forecasting accuracy, immediate supply chain savings, improved trade spend ROI, improved quality performance, and no capital expenditure. In the competitive world we live in, I believe this smart technology is a smart choice that will help your business thrive!