Let’s be honest: vending machines last. They’re built to withstand years of use — even decades — if maintained properly. Yet, many operators feel pressured to replace them just to keep up with modern expectations: touchscreens, card payments, telemetry, interactivity.

But here’s the truth:
you don’t need to replace your vending machines to modernize your business.

Guess what — the real problem isn’t the machine

A vending machine’s metal frame or refrigeration system doesn’t suddenly become outdated. What does age, however, are the parts that connect you to your customers — the interface, the payment system, and the ability to monitor what’s happening remotely.

When these elements fall behind, efficiency drops. Service visits multiply. Customers get frustrated when their payment method doesn’t work.

The machine itself isn’t the issue — it’s the lack of connection between the machine, the operator, and the user.

Modernization, then, isn’t about buying something new. It’s about making what you already have smarter, more connected, and more interactive.

From transaction to interaction

For a long time, vending was viewed purely as a transactional business: insert money, get product. But that model leaves little room for customer experience or insight.

The industry has changed. Both customers and operators expect more today.

• Customers want clear product visibility, modern touch interfaces, and fast, familiar payment options.
• Operators want machines that sell more and are easier to manage remotely.

That’s the sweet spot. And the truth is — to get there, you don’t have to buy a new machine.

The economics of smart refurbishment

Buying a new vending machine can cost between €5,000 and €10,000. Upgrading an existing one costs a fraction of that.

When you multiply this across a fleet of dozens or hundreds of machines, the difference becomes enormous. However, refurbishing extends the machine’s lifespan, reduces waste, and achieves the same modernization goals — touchscreen, telemetry, flexible payments, and customer engagement — at a sustainable cost.

That’s not cutting corners; that’s smart business management.

The smarter path forward – with Elysium touchscreen

At Coges, we’ve seen the vending industry evolve for more than 40 years. Through that time, one principle has always proven true: efficiency wins.

The most successful operators aren’t the ones who constantly replace — they’re the ones who adapt.

Today, modernization means combining what already works with the tools that make it work better: real-time monitoring, flexible payments, remote management, and direct interaction with your customers.

That’s exactly the philosophy behind Elysium — a smart touchscreen solution designed to give existing vending machines a second life.

ⓘ Did you know? Operators who add interactive screens typically see 10–20% higher sales from product visibility and promotions.

What is Elysium?

Elysium replaces the front panel of your current vending machine, transforming it into an interactive point of sale. It integrates a touchscreen, telemetry, payment system, and engagement tools into one sleek interface — all while keeping your existing machine intact.

And beyond functionality, Elysium gives operators a new way to communicate. The HD touchscreen can display product videos, brand campaigns, or promotions — turning a simple purchase into an engaging interaction.

Final thought

Modern vending isn’t about having the newest machines on the street. It’s about having smarter and more sustainable ones — machines that sell efficiently, engage customers, and can be managed remotely without unnecessary travel or waste.

By extending the life of existing machines and reducing on-site interventions, operators save both resources and emissions while keeping full control of their business from anywhere.

Elysium makes that possible. Not by changing what works — but by making it work better.