In the coffee industry, complex calculations are the order of the day. Variables such as contract form (rent, buy, loan or a combination), contract duration (different durations), with or without separate coffee grinder … there are a lot of variations.

The ever-more complex calculations are often recorded in large, complicated Excel files. More and more companies in the coffee industry decide to phase these sheets and replace them in a professional environment with calculation rules: a tool that is approachable via the web browser.

In addition, competition within this industry is enormous. According to Google, there are only nearly 400 companies that deliver coffee solutions in the Benelux. Because of this competition, speed and customer -friendliness are more important than ever.

van Zelst can talk about this. Since they have implemented the Merkato Essentials, their quotations no longer have to go to different departments for approval. All these checks made the lead time of one quotation about one and a half days. The configurator has reduced this to just fifteen minutes. The quotations are also generated in their own appearance, with a personal touch. After all, the customer feeling has become very important in these times of digital contact instead of personal agreements.

Click here to read the whole story of Van Zelst. Dutch only.

In the vending industry, offering a wide range of products plays a crucial role. From snacks and healthy snacks to beverages and non-food items, vending machines offer a versatile solution for businesses, schools and public spaces. The complexity of the offerings and the different needs of customers not only require an accurate and efficient approach to preparing quotations.

Traditionally, quotes are often compiled manually, with all variables such as product selection, vending machine configurations and location requirements having to be processed in extensive spreadsheets. This approach can be time-consuming and error-prone.

By using specialized configuration tools, such as Merkato Essentials, companies can streamline the quoting process and also effectively develop planograms, which provide detailed visual representations of the goods being placed in a vending machine. These tools allow for quick and accurate quotation generation, with clear configurations, quick price calculations and professionally formatted documents. This ensures not only faster processing, but also higher quality quotations and more efficient setup of vending machines.