EVERETT, Wash., July 10, 2001 – Intermec Technologies Corp. and Validata Computer and Research Corp., of Montgomery, Ala., this year celebrate 13 years of partnership. Together, the companies provide a comprehensive route accounting and distribution tool for the vending industry, teaming Intermec’s compact, rugged 602 mobile computer and 6800 series portable printer with Validata’s RouteSail® family of software products.  

The system allows route drivers to reduce the amount of time spent at each stop, which increases profits by allowing an additional route stop or two each day And since one person can handle both orders and deliveries, the need for pre-sales reps is eliminated. 

The commitment to understand and adapt to issues facing the vending industry – such as the high cost of inaccurate data collection, high personnel costs and slow delivery times –is the cornerstone of the partnership.

“Before this automation, processing the data alone from each machine along a route could take anywhere from five to 10 minutes, because the operator would have to physically count each item. Now they don’t have to do that,” said Validata President Warren Philips. “The 602, running Validata’s VendNavigator® software, has changed that. Now, a route person can electronically pull the product inventory performance information for a machine within 60 seconds. Not only has this system almost eliminated data errors and decreased the amount of time spent at each machine, but using this complete solution has also helped increase the efficiency of personnel at distribution centers.” 

VendNavigator provides planograms and pick lists at vending machines that use the latest technology, another industry first. The software provides exact row/column placements of products and tracks specific details on each product and its performance. The system eliminates paperwork and gives instant, up-to-the second information on products, price settings, vending machine performance and inventory availability.

Once the information is processed from each vending machine, the route person can print a pick list, bag tags and receipts using Intermec’s wearable 6800 series printer.  This allows the route person to handle money, inventory and paperwork while still inside the facility.

“Validata realized more than a decade ago that a rugged, handheld computer would help reduce personnel costs and data errors and increase productivity for the vending industry,” said Bob Zink, vice president of solution sales for Intermec.  “This visionary approach has made Validata a leader, not only for Intermec, but for the industry as well.”

The 602 pen computer offers the Microsoft Windows CE® operating system and combines the advantages of consumer personal digital assistants and high performance industrial pen computers. Information is presented in easy-to-read formats, and users can navigate menus with touch screen buttons, the 16-key keypad or by scrolling using the cursor buttons positioned on the side.  It also can withstand extreme temperature shifts and other elements specific to the vending industry, such as grease, salt and syrup.

VendNavigator is a member of the RouteSail family of products designed to strengthen the efficiency of route-based workforces.  The complete line includes the RouteSail Base System, RouteSupervisor®, RouteExec®, VendNavigator and VendScape®. Validata has provided industry-specific, complete solutions since 1978.