At Connect Vending, delivering great service isn’t just a goal — it’s a mindset. The Oxfordshire-based operator has built a reputation for going above and beyond, with a team that thrives on precision, efficiency, and constant improvement.
Helping power that performance is Vendmanager, the vending management system that gives Connect real-time insights, better workflows, and stronger customer relationships. From managing stock to tracking trends, Vendmanager brings structure to Connect’s ambition — and empowers the people who deliver it daily.
A system that supports excellence
“Perfection might be out of reach,” says Dan Levy, Operations Director at Connect, “but we’ll always strive for outstanding.”
For Dan, Vendmanager is a key part of that pursuit. It brings structure, speed, and visibility to every part of the operation. “We use Vendmanager to track people, usage, routes, service calls — everything. On a normal day, it helps us stay ahead. On a chaotic day, like when COVID hit, it was essential.”
When lockdowns forced rapid change, Vendmanager helped Connect adapt overnight. “We had to rewrite schedules, manage new customer priorities, and make decisions at speed. Without Vendmanager, we’d have been blind,” Dan says.
But even on calm days, the system proves its worth. “Two things that drive excellence are precision and timelines,” he adds. “Vendmanager helps us with both — but the rest is up to us.”
Driving data-led decisions
Managing Director Elyas Coutts brings a clear strategy: combine solid foundations with forward momentum. “We’re proud of where we are, but we’re always thinking about where we’re going,” he says.
To get there, data is key. “Vendmanager gives us usable insights, quickly. Dashboards show where we are now, how we’ve performed historically, and where we want to go.”
That mix of granularity and big-picture visibility supports everything from five-year growth plans to daily run rates. “It’s not just about delivering,” Elyas explains. “It’s about delivering better, faster, and more efficiently.”
When meeting with customers, Elyas uses Vendmanager to show not just what’s being delivered, but how well it’s being done — by site, product, or trend. “That flexibility builds trust,” he says. “It helps us tell the story behind the service.”
From data collection to action
Operations Manager Slawek Josko knows the power of visibility. Having worked his way up from route driver to running the operation, he’s helped lead the rollout of Vendmanager’s Datakey and telemetry systems across the fleet.
“Before Datakey, we had manual input, paper records, and picking lists that needed constant checking,” Slawek explains. “Now operators input data via phone. It’s more accurate, more efficient, and it helps stop problems from coming back.”
He sees Vendmanager as a daily essential. “I check Vendmanager five or six times a day. First thing, last thing — it’s how I know what’s going on.”
His focus now is using that data to do more: identifying machine-level issues before they escalate, spotting trends, and digging deeper into telemetry. “It’s relentless — but in a good way. We’re always trying to improve.”
A system that scales with the team
As Connect grows, Vendmanager helps bring new people up to speed — fast. That’s especially important for Team Leader Victor Tilica, who manages a field team based across London.
“I’ve never worked in vending without Vendmanager,” Victor says. “To me, it’s just how it’s done.”
From stock control to fill planning, Victor sees Datakey as a major advantage. “It’s great for automating filling, managing inventory, and helping new team members get up to speed quickly.”
With a wide variety of machines across a large footprint, consistency is key. “Anything that helps the operator do the right thing, every time, is valuable — and Vendmanager makes that easy.”
Business services powered by better data
Back at head office, Business Services Manager Kelly Weait keeps track of everything — from customer contracts to audit trails. “My life would be hell without Vendmanager,” she says, only half-joking.
“I need fast, easy access to all the info: accounts, customers, sales, contract reviews. Vendmanager puts it all in one place. It’s faster, clearer, and more flexible than the old system.”
That’s not just about convenience — it’s about confidence. “When I’m auditing or preparing specialised reports, I need to know the data’s right. And with Vendmanager, it is.”
Finance that moves at the speed of change
Finance Director Kelly Glenn is methodical. She calls herself a “geek,” but in a way that fuels results. “I want to know exactly where we are — financially, operationally, everything,” she says.
Vendmanager plays a central role in helping her manage controls, track cash, monitor stock movement, and plan for growth. “I use it for sales ledgers, purchase orders, exporting data — you name it,” she says. “It’s all about logic, integration, and peace of mind.”
With growing volumes and tighter margins, she adds, “The structure is simple. Logical. It works. It’s like cogs in a machine — and I love that.”
Building a future on solid foundations
Connect Vending didn’t adopt Vendmanager just to fix short-term issues — they saw its potential from the start. “When we chose the system, what stood out was the structure,” Elyas says. “It could support both details and patterns. We didn’t have to choose one or the other.”
That flexibility is paying off. Connect is investing in data across the business, with a new digital marketing team, nine incoming graduates, and a sharp focus on systems that scale. “Vendmanager is central to that,” Elyas says.
For the Connect team, Vendmanager isn’t just a tool. It’s how they work. From frontline service to back-office precision, it keeps the business aligned, accountable, and ready for what’s next.
Fast facts:
- Vendmanager supports daily operations across stock, service calls, routes, and reporting.
- Datakey improves stock accuracy and operator efficiency with real-time input.
- Flexible dashboards help leadership track performance and support growth plans.
- Customer service, finance, and business services rely on Vendmanager to deliver speed, accuracy, and insight.
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