Shenzhen Zhilai Sci and Tech Co. Announces Partnership with Applestone Solutions
Leading International Manufacturer of Vending Machines and Smart Lockers Incorporates Unique Software Solution
SHENZHEN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shenzhen Zhilai Sci and Tech Co., Ltd., (ZHILAI) a prominent manufacturer of self-service smart lockers and vending machines, today announced a strategic partnership with Applestone Solutions, a leader in flexible vending machine software. This collaboration demonstrates ZHILAI and Applestone’s commitment to driving OEM sales through cloud-based software solutions.
“We’re pleased to have Applestone as a software development partner,” said Frank Qu, Overseas Department Manager at ZHILAI. “Their commitment to providing a great customer experience and up-to-the-minute business intelligence makes their solution perfect for businesses in the Americas and Europe. We’re especially excited to offer their software with our vending hardware, as well as with our well-established locker solutions.”
"Software sells OEM hardware, and this partnership exemplifies that principle," said Joshua Applestone, CEO of Applestone Solutions. "By integrating our software capabilities with ZHILAI's vending machine expertise, we're enabling them to expand into new retail categories and accommodate diverse product types. This collaboration allows the ZHILAI team to focus on what they do best — manufacturing high-quality, well- engineered vending machines and smart lockers — while our ongoing software innovation helps meet evolving customer needs.”
The partnership provides ZHILAI’s customers with immediate access to Applestone's expertise in specific use cases and product types:
Shrinkage prevention
Perishable food sales
BOPIS through smart lockers and vending machines
Regulated products requiring ID verification
Vape products and alcohol
Pharmaceuticals
Frozen meat and poultry
Cosmetics
Shaving supplies
Cell phone cases, earbuds, and batteries
Over-the-counter medicines
"The vending industry demands reliable solutions that can dispense everything from perishable food to electronics to regulated products," said Greg Kelleher, CTO of Applestone. "Our collaboration with ZHILAI showcases how our open standards, scalable software architecture, and agile development approach enhance OEMs’ hardware offerings, creating new opportunities for operators worldwide."
Song Wang, General Manager of ZHILAI, added, "Our partnership with Applestone Solutions delivers comprehensive vending systems that bring together our precision-engineered machines with innovative software. "This collaboration strengthens our competitive position and enables us to better serve the rapidly growing vending market worldwide."
The partnership delivers significant advantages:
Mature software integrated with well-engineered vending machines and smart lockers
Responsive technical support for both hardware and software
Enhanced features for the North American and European markets
Continuous software innovation driving new revenue opportunities for operators and business partners
For more information in the USA and globally, please contact:
For ZHILAI: info@zhilai.com
For Applestone: hello@applestonesolutions.com
About SHENZHEN ZHILAI SCI AND TECH CO., LTD: SHENZHEN ZHILAI SCI AND TECH CO., LTD is a leading manufacturer of vending hardware and automated retail solutions. With a focus on high quality engineering and innovative solutions, ZHILAI delivers reliable vending machines and smart lockers that meet diverse operator requirements across global markets.
About Applestone Solutions: Applestone provides a secure, scalable SaaS solution that helps retailers expand their operations, promote more products, automate inventory management, and offer a customer friendly BOPIS service. It specializes in emerging vending use cases like shrinkage prevention, regulated product sales that require identity verification, perishable food vending, and large-screen digital signage. Thanks to its architectural approach and dedication to open standards, Applestone's software can easily integrate with third party systems, including retailers' existing point-of-sale and loyalty software, accounting and tax reporting applications, and other cloud-based services.
New Software for OEMs
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve just released a major software update geared toward OEMs. The full text of our press release is below. Please get in touch if you’d like to learn more!
Applestone Solutions Releases New Vending Software for OEMs
Automated Retail Solution Offers Unprecedented Flexibility and Unique Features
Stone Ridge, NY - November 1, 2024 - Applestone Solutions, a leader in innovative vending machine software, today announced an update to its specialty retail solution designed specifically for vending technology Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Applestone’s cloud-based solution is compatible with machines running Android, Linux, or Microsoft Windows.
“Software sells hardware,” said Joshua Applestone, CEO of Applestone Solutions. “OEMs who work with our software solution can cover more retail categories, accommodate more product types, and focus on what they do best — selling great vending hardware — while we help them meet evolving customer needs through constant software innovation. OEM distributors, resellers, solution seller partners, and VARs make substantial revenue when they sell more advanced software with OEM hardware.”
Key Features:
Universal Compatibility: Operates on any vending machine running Android, Linux, or Microsoft Windows, eliminating the need for any proprietary hardware;
Item-Level Tracking: Up-to-the-second awareness of sales data and inventory changes;
Pricing Variations: Weights, colors, sizes, expiration dates, and custom details;
Multiple Network Connectivity Modes:
Disconnected: Operates in challenging environments where connectivity is not guaranteed
Cloud-connected: Unlocks premium features including real-time inventory updates, instant sales reporting, and visual customization via an intuitive content management system
“Operators and retailers want to vend everything from perishable food to electronics to regulated products, and they should be able to use exactly the right hardware for their needs," said Greg Kelleher, CTO of Applestone. "Our software solution is open and adaptable. We've geared our latest release specifically to OEMs, making our offering different from what you see from our competitors, who are typically restricted to specific hardware.”
Applestone Solutions' software represents a significant leap forward in vending technology, enabling OEMs to focus on hardware innovation while leveraging unique, expansive software capabilities. The advanced item-level tracking feature is particularly valuable for retailers managing perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, or products requiring precise inventory control.
OEMs offering Applestone's open-standards solution benefit from:
Tested and proven software
Reduced internal software development costs
Satisfied customers in North America and Europe
Rapid innovation that drives revenue for OEM partners
OEMs interested in shipping this solution are invited to contact Applestone Solutions for partnership opportunities and technical specifications.
For inquiries in the USA and globally, please contact: +1 (845) 389-2680 or hello@applestonesolutions.com
June 2024 Feature Updates
Our latest software release has a few new features, fixes, and fun things worth mentioning. Highlights include:
Admin Console
Expiring inventory alerts tell you what products are about to expire
Added a color picker for visual identity custom colors
Added a new text editor for product guides and cooking tips
Added new administrator data collection tools to the alarms page
Kiosk
Added a clearer illustration of payment device location during checkout process
Bundles appear more clearly on customer receipts
Category button colors are now customizable
You can now create promotional banners for bundles
Customer-facing messages are now clearer and more friendly when machines are offline
General
Bug fixes and stability improvements in the Kiosk, Loader App and Admin Console
April 2024 Feature Updates
Our latest software release has a few new features, fixes, and fun things worth mentioning. Highlights include:
Admin Console:
We updated machine uptime reports with easier-to-read graphs
We added placeholder images to bundles to make them easier to create
Added instant previews of e-mail templates for alerts and notifications
Added a “Low Turnover” alert to let you know when products are not selling
Added time stamp to transaction records in tax reports
Reorganized alerts signups to make them easier to read
Admin Console looks better on smartphones!
Various bug fixes and usability improvements!
Kiosk:
Customers can now receive notification e-mails when out-of-stock products are back in stock
Introduced a new product screen layout for products with more than three variations
February 2024 Feature Updates
Introducing Special Product Variations and lots more!
February 9, 2024
Our latest software release has a few new features, fixes, and fun things worth mentioning. Highlights include:
Admin Console:
New Special Product Variations allow customers to buy products with specifications like color, size, and weight ranges
New offline status alerts allow for faster reporting of connectivity problems or other issues
Re-organized navigation menu gives quicker access to the features you use the most
A redesigned Machines information page gives quicker access to diagnostic data
Default values in certain reports give quicker access to recent data
Loader App:
New functions allow for loading of products with Special Product Variations
A new search bar makes it easier and faster to select a product from a long list
A revised tool tip better illustrates shelves, lanes, and positions
General:
Other minor interface improvements
Bug fixes
Speed and stability improvements