Intel, N&W announce vending collaboration. The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a powerful driver of business transformation.
The Internet of Things will include 50 billion units installed by 2020, according to IDC.
This surge in connectivity is making an impact across industries, including vending where global shipments of intelligent vending machines are forecasted to reach around 2 million units by 2016, with both new and retrofit markets combined1.
However, there are significant costs and complexities associated with retrofitting the large amount of existing equipment that is not currently connected, managed or secure. To address this interoperability issue, Intel Corporation today announced the Intel IoT Retail Gateway Reference Design for Intelligent Vending. The gateway is built using the Intel IoT Platform.
Building on previous Intel reference designs, the Intel IoT Retail Gateway Reference Design for Intelligent Vending integrates pre-validated building blocks that facilitate the integration of multiple compute workloads.
Examples include vending machine controller, touch screen, telemetry, digital advertising, payment and transaction management, as well as simplification of integration with back office applications. Adopting proven compute models enables vending machine manufacturers and vending operators to focus on innovation, reduce development time and investment risk while differentiating themselves by moving to a powerful PC-based platform.
“By consolidating multiple workloads onto a single vending platform, manufacturers can free up time to focus on meeting the increasing expectations of today’s tech-savvy consumers,” said Jose Avalos, worldwide director of visual retail at Intel.
“For example, customers can integrate new natural user interfaces, social media capabilities, loyalty programs and nutritional information – all of which will have a positive impact on the consumer’s vending experience.”
The Intel IoT Retail Gateway Reference Design for Intelligent Vending is based on the Intel Atom processor E3815 system-on-chip (SoC) and includes the Intel IoT Gateway software stack. The compute board is based on the Intel Reference Design for Digital Signage, which vending machine manufacturers can make or buy. The gateway solution also includes a vending machine I/O board and a vending machine API, both outlined in the Intel® Reference Design for Intelligent Vending.
In support of the Intel Reference Design for Intelligent Vending, N&W Global Vending was at the Intel booth at the VendItalia 2015 International Vending Exhibition in Milan (Pav. 18 stand B36 C37) May 3-6, offering a sneak preview of the first prototype of a vending machine based on the latest Intel technologies.
The companies collaborated to create the innovative solution, concentrating their efforts and the best technologies to meet the needs of the market, improving the user experience and the management of vending machines.
Intel-based solutions for vending are also available from Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance members including Advantech, Gigabyte and Jabil.
