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THE ANATOMY OF also include audio speakers for verbal prompts, webcams for patron recognition and loyalty programs. Market cards All kiosks accept payment via market cards. A single market card is also an individual account connected to an employee at the location. The card can be reloaded in multiple ways — cash and credit/debit cards are standard. Some markets also include additional, alternative payment options the consumer can use, including online market card reloading. Kiosks also include a printer that ejects a receipt after payment is complete, with some offering the option of an electronic or e-receipt instead. Backend standards Sales data reporting comes standard on all kiosks and is one of THE MICRO MARKET the greatest assets for a micro market operator. It provides reports on bestselling products and inventory replenishment lists (prekit lists) for the micro market driver. Kiosks also allow operators real-time tracking of the market, such as up-to-date purchases and individual account reviewing. Being able to access a single account allows operators to remotely give refunds or add value to a market card account when needed. Real-time tracking also allows operators to see if all devices on the kiosk are running normally, or if something is down. Some suppliers have the capability to add text messaging for operators of any anomalies in normal operations so operators know to check the micro market system. This reporting and tracking can be part of a software package from the supplier downloaded to the operators' computer system or cloud-based. Micro Markets, Macro Proft Micro Markets are the fastest growing area in the vending world. Dependable data is the key to help increase transactions, maximize sales and eliminate the guesswork from your category management. We are the leading data collection and analysis company specializing in serving suppliers across the country. Call us now at 800-441-9595 or visit www.custdata.com to fnd out more. There is often an ongoing monthly software support fee charged to the operator. The price varies by supplier. Another important feature in micro market kiosks is technical support. When a problem with the kiosk occurs, micro market suppliers can remotely pinpoint most issues and reset the device on the kiosk remotely. Many suppliers provide this technical support around the clock. Power and internet An AC plug is used to power all micro market kiosks, although some have a battery back-up system used to run when the power goes out. Additionally, an internet connection is required by all micro market installations and the kiosks use a category 5 ethernet cable with standard RJ-45 connectors. Many offer an offine queuing feature, which allows the kiosk to operate properly even if an internet connection is lost. This lets the kiosk hold the purchase transactions in queue until the online connection is restored. Choosing a kiosk The look and feel of each micro market kiosk differs. Therefore, it's important to know what you can expect from all the kiosks and what you can choose. This allows you to establish the best customer experience as well as ensure the operational systems that work best in your organization. More information allows you to make an educated decision, so read on for the specifc non-standard features available on the most popular micro market kiosks out there. Editor's Note: The traditional micro market supplier sells hardware to the operator, and then charges a support fee for reporting and continued support. However, other micro market models exist, such as Company Kitchen, which runs on an exclusive license model, and Revive, which sells the market kiosk without a lot of additional support. These non-traditional models are not represented on the micro market matrix comparison on page 24. Fast. Accurate. Data. Now. 22 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com October 2013