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MicroMarket News

365 Launches LightSpeed FastTrack Interface into BETA!

In partnership with LightSpeed Automation, 365 recently began a limited BETA of its new integrated FastTrack interface. Operators using 365's SmartHQ administration portal previously had to print their pick lists and carry those around the warehouse, checking off each item one at a time. 365's new interface allows operators to transmit their pick lists directly to LightSpeed's FastTrack system and 'pick to lights' illuminated below each product container.

Operators using LightSpeed's FastTrack system to pre-kit their existing vending routes will see the largest value add, now that they can utilize the same system on which employees are already trained. Even better, actual LightSpeed picked amounts are pushed back into SmartHQ inventories, completely automating the entire picking workflow. No longer do route drivers need to check-in each item individually when stocking stores. 365 expects to conclude the BETA phase at the end of October, with general availability scheduled for November 2013.

For instant ordering information contact: sales@365smartshop.com

Learn more about LightSpeed

Press Release

We Are 365

"Since the CTW segment is critical to the MicroMarket space, 365 is pleased to be exhibiting at this year's NAMA Coffee, Tea and Water event on November 13th, 2013 (Booth #319.) 365 Retail Markets will be highlighting it's full range of products, including its new 365SmartVend interactive vending touchscreen.

Through their product line which includes the SmartHUB Cash-Coin, the SmartHUB Gen II, and the SmartHUB Micro, 365 offers a variety of MicroMarket solutions tailored to any environment. 365's standard of excellence and continual production of cutting-edge software has solidified their position as leaders within the MicroMarket industry."

Optimizing Your MicroMarket

Plan (O-Gram) for Success

Information overload is a common reaction after attempting to optimize your MicroMarket. There are a wealth of experts claiming to have the one-size-fits-all solution for market best practices, and once you've encountered an overwhelming amount of information, it's easy to resort to stocking your market with whatever you see at your local convenience store or pulling from a top 100 list of global vending sales - completely disregarding the ecosystem unique to your location.

While there's no overnight recipe for a perfectly optimized market, there are tips you can follow to begin the process of developing your location into a sustainable, profitable market.

Create a plan-o-gram for your location.

This will serve as a baseline while you develop your market and expand your product selection. A plan-o-gram includes the physical layout of your location as well as the products you will carry and where they will be displayed. If you have a relationship with a supplier, an account manager may be able to assist you with creating your plan-o-gram. If not, there are a lot of great online resources which can start you off in the right direction.

It's important to operate your market under these baseline conditions long enough to have a sufficient data set from which conclusions can be drawn. The specific time required to establish this baseline isn't an exact science, but it does depend heavily on the size of your market and your sales volume. Once established, however, you have created an ideal environment for a/b testing and introducing new products into your market.

By analyzing your sales data and comparing it with your baseline, you can easily see what works in your market. As you experiment with products that increase your bottom line, you can revise your plan-o-gram to reflect what is profitable. Through continual revisions and listening to your customers, you can understand their needs and work towards meeting them while increasing the profitability of your market.

To learn more about plan-o-grams and Category Management visit

the following site: General Mills Category Management