5 Reasons Vending Operators Rely on Datakey

Datakey saves serious time

Before Datakey, a machine visit meant opening the door, pulling each tray, counting stock, writing down what was needed, and taking manual meter readings. Then the operator would head back to the van, pick stock, and repeat for the next machine.

With Datakey, the operator plugs in the device, waits about 30 seconds, and heads straight to the van with an accurate, automated picking list.

That time saving adds up. Our customers report saving 10 to 15 minutes per machine. Over a month, that can mean 25 hours saved per operator.

“Datakey was the Game Changer that persuaded SuperCups to switch to Vendmanager.” Neil Irons, Commercial Director at SuperCups in Kent

It eliminates manual errors

Manual meter readings are easy to get wrong — especially when operators are moving fast. A missed digit or simple slip can throw off cash reconciliation and impact reporting down the line.

Datakey pulls meter data straight from the machine, eliminating those errors. It’s fast, automatic, and accurate — so operators don’t have to worry about writing or typing numbers on the go.

“Datakey has removed errors and gaps in our data. With Datakey, the benefits of accurate, efficient, easy meter readings are overwhelmingly valuable on their own, let alone anything else.” Ben West, Operations Manager at Bettavend

The result? Fewer mistakes, faster reconciliation, and better data across the board.

It increases machine profitability

For many operators, Datakey has surfaced an unexpected problem: mispriced spirals. Customers found that up to 15% of their snack and drink spirals were set too  low— leaving money on the table.

Datakey doesn’t just highlight these errors. It can correct them. When configured, it rewrites spiral pricing on the spot, ensuring your machines reflect the right margin.

No more wondering if price updates were applied properly. No more mystery losses. Just accurate, consistent pricing — direct to the machine.

It tightens cash control

With cashless payments on the rise, cash reconciliation has gotten trickier. Matching card, coin, and meter totals takes time — and mistakes in meter readings only make it harder.

Datakey reduces that burden. By eliminating manual entry, it improves accuracy across the board. That means fewer admin hours spent chasing mismatches, and tighter control of your money across all payment types.

Operators save time. Admin teams get better data. Everyone benefits.

It improves consistency and speeds up training

Staff turnover is a fact of life in vending. Training new operators on multiple machine types takes time — and re-training when they forget takes even more.

Datakey simplifies the process. Instead of memorising different programming flows, operators just plug in the device. Meter readings, product sales, pricing — it’s all pulled automatically, regardless of machine make or model.

This consistency lowers the learning curve, speeds up onboarding, and frees operators to focus on what really matters: clean, stocked machines and satisfied customers.

One tool, many wins

Datakey may be small, but its impact is wide. It saves time, reduces errors, protects profit, and simplifies operations from day one. And because it’s tightly integrated with Vendmanager Mobile, it works exactly how operators need it to — fast, simple, and reliable.

No wonder so many of our customers say it’s changed the way they work for good.