The first API, TOMRA Status, enables retailers to receive real-time status notifications when the reverse vending system requires attention. The notifications can be displayed on store phones and tablet devices, for example about storage cabinets approaching full, printer paper needing changing, or machine stops. Actions can be planned accordingly, to ensure maximum availability for recyclers. The tool also shows guidance for resolving reverse vending issues, so that staff can quickly return to other store activities. TOMRA Status thereby seeks to maximize reverse vending uptime and streamline store operations.
TOMRA Consumer Sessions provides stores with quick and easy access to data about each consumer recycling transaction (meaning the return of empty drink containers for recycling and the payout of deposit refunds to the user). Each consumer session is tracked with a unique ID, for greater transparency, fraud mitigation and easy reconciliation. All data from the transaction is stored in the cloud and accessible almost instantly for real-time reporting.
The third new digital tool, the TOMRA Volume by Supergroup API, provides retailers with visibility into the volume of drink containers and the container type returned through the reverse vending machine. This is particularly handy in regions with variable deposit amounts, and enables retailers to verify refund payouts with the deposit return system central system administrator.
“TOMRA continues its hard work to provide innovative digital tools to boost retailers’ reverse vending offerings and ensure their store is always ready to recycle,” explained Aleksander Mortensen, Head of Commercial at TOMRA Collection. “We are excited to expand on our developer portal and APIs so that retailers can truly bring data and insights from their reverse vending solutions into their own ecosystems, to streamline data for greater efficiency and transparency. We are increasing our focus on APIs and more APIs will become available moving forward."
Developer portal expands for stores
The TOMRA Collection Developer Portal launched last year. The portal offers development of digital solutions by integrating TOMRA's reverse vending machines with customers' own IT platforms, for efficient and seamless integration in an increasingly digital world. The reverse machines’ Internet of Things (IoT) platform transfers large amounts of transaction data each day. With the addition of APIs, the data capabilities of reverse vending machines are extended further.
