Perhaps this year more than ever, businesses across the country are struggling to find new ways to cut costs, improve productivity and enhance the bottom line. As an executive in the vending and OCS industry for more than twenty years, I can tell you that many companies are succeeding by consolidating tasks and streamlining operations. These savvy professionals are consolidating purchases with the net result of reduced costs, increased customer service and, best of all, savings for the company.

For example, many companies are looking at new opportunities for one-stop shopping to increase efficiency and cut costs. We see more and more customers taking advantage of the"Single Source" One-Stop Shopping service. Instead of calling a variety of companies to order, say, installation supplies from one company, water filters from another and coffee brewer replacement parts from yet a third, these companies call a single source and accomplish the entire process with one simple purchase order. Customers who take advantage of such one-stop-shopping opportunities can enjoy the same low prices they might find elsewhere, along with the convenience of one simple order form. Plus, with only one order instead of several from a variety of suppliers, there is only one low shipping fee. Some one-stop shopping service companies not only ship the same day, but have also arranged a special schedule to meet their customers’ needs quickly and efficiently.

Everyone in the industry should invest the time to review each aspect of their company operations to identify places where tasks can be consolidated and operations streamlined. You’ll enjoy extra time and money the whole year through.