Hi...
is there anyone who can point me in the right direction, regarding a dilemma I'm in, regarding a new business venture i am about to branch into.I have invested in vending machines which will be rolling out one product only [ the product is irrelevant at this point!] The problem i'm stuck with is that each vending machine holds only 45 units, and we have no way of monitoring when the machine is either running low or has emptied on products!!! i have looked into the china market [ with many headaches when it comes to the language barrier sadly] i know what i am looking for is a Sim card based sms message sender.A basic way to describe what i want is a magnetic reed switch fitted to the machines motor , so as every time a purchase is made, a closed circuit will open [ or viceversa ] and be registered,on the gsm module. Then, hopefully when the machine is , say, down to its last 10 units, a simple text message can be sent to a number relaying the info and the machine can be restocked.
Ive had one interested company who said they are willing to come on board, and they could supply us with a product.. similar to a monitoring device on home heating circuit.. where the house holder could send text messages to the unit and turn on the heating etc etc... but they were quoting us prices dearer than 10 machines!! we are hoping to be rolling out 200 units for a start ... but at a reasonable cost!!!
can anyone point me in the right direction? my work is from an electrical background, not an electronic one sadly!!!! and this is my crutch!!!
look forward to hearing who is out there !!!
is there anyone who can point me in the right direction, regarding a dilemma I'm in, regarding a new business venture i am about to branch into.I have invested in vending machines which will be rolling out one product only [ the product is irrelevant at this point!] The problem i'm stuck with is that each vending machine holds only 45 units, and we have no way of monitoring when the machine is either running low or has emptied on products!!! i have looked into the china market [ with many headaches when it comes to the language barrier sadly] i know what i am looking for is a Sim card based sms message sender.A basic way to describe what i want is a magnetic reed switch fitted to the machines motor , so as every time a purchase is made, a closed circuit will open [ or viceversa ] and be registered,on the gsm module. Then, hopefully when the machine is , say, down to its last 10 units, a simple text message can be sent to a number relaying the info and the machine can be restocked.
Ive had one interested company who said they are willing to come on board, and they could supply us with a product.. similar to a monitoring device on home heating circuit.. where the house holder could send text messages to the unit and turn on the heating etc etc... but they were quoting us prices dearer than 10 machines!! we are hoping to be rolling out 200 units for a start ... but at a reasonable cost!!!
can anyone point me in the right direction? my work is from an electrical background, not an electronic one sadly!!!! and this is my crutch!!!
look forward to hearing who is out there !!!