Gedas moves into top gear with smart card technology from LEGIC®
by Stephen Neff

Zurich/Wetzikon, Milton Keynes. LEGIC Identsystems Ltd, the world’s leading supplier of secure contactless smart card technology, has supplied their technology to enable licence partner VMC Ltd to install a cashless payment system for Milton Keynes based Gedas UK.

VMC is a leading provider of reliable, efficient and forward thinking cashless payment systems and smart card integration. Formed in 1991, VMC designs and manufactures hardware and software solutions for all the major vending and catering operators as well as the end user. The company is committed to building long term strategic partnerships and this is a key element of the business philosophy and continuing growth. VMC has a well established reputation for flexibility, integrity and innovation, combined with excellence in customer service.

Their customer Gedas works with many world leading companies across the automotive, manufacturing and logistics processes industries and offers collaborative solutions that span the entire corporate IT chain: from product development, resource management and logistics processes right up to sales and customer care. Gedas’ unique brand of full-service solutions and its strong business process expertise have allowed the company to assume a leading position in the automotive and manufacturing industries and in the field of logistics processes.

Around 350 staff are employed at the Gedas UK operation in Milton Keynes where the latest contactless cashless payment with LEGIC technology has been introduced to make food, snack and refreshment purchases via individual ‘smart cards’. Workers have an ‘electronic purse’ to add a cash value to their cards which can then be used at tills in the staff restaurant and at vending machines, whilst a data management system tracks all transactions.

The new system – which replaces traditional coins and notes - has quickly generated a host of on-site benefits, according to Facilities Manager, Catherine Halstead. She explains: “Gedas were moving to a new site in Milton Keynes and we took the decision to introduce cashless vending together with a number of other significant improvements in the working environment. The absence of cash handling in the restaurant means less queuing and productivity has increased since the staff no longer has to handle notes and coins. Also, workers do not need to bring money to work unless they want to add credit to their own individual smart card.”

Gedas considered cashless services with LEGIC technology and VMC’s Metro system since they offered the most cost effective solution.

“The cash loading machines – where an electronic value is added to the cards – are not networked, meaning installation costs and disruption were minimised and the software is simple to use and allows us to audit the cash flow through the restaurant” said Catherine.

Staff have the additional option of adding a cash value to their cards direct from payroll – as part of a seamless and streamlined operation, and Gedas ensured the payroll loader machine was located in a quiet corner to facilitate privacy when entering their unique pin numbers.

Catherine added: “Gedas is committed to providing a high quality and flexible working environment.” Gedas is also undertaking a corporate worldwide initiative to introduce a global multiapplication card for vending, security, and photo ID applications and VMC with LEGIC technology are working closely with them to ensure they can achieve this.

Stephen Neff, Vice President Sales & Business Development for LEGIC Identsystems Ltd, said: “This is an excellent example of LEGIC cashless payment technology in action within part of a major global company. Working together, VMC’s acclaimed Metro system and LEGIC is delivering substantial benefits to both the company and its staff.”