Although highly sophisticated, the Buster24h robotics themselves do not complete the package. The real power behind the system lies in the advanced management and control software. The EziVend Videostore and Dispenser Management software has been developed for the Buster24h Dispensers, while still providing the functionality required to run a regular videostore.

To simplify the operations of the machine the software is seperated into two parts, EV Machine and EV Admin. This site focuses mainly on EV Machine and the features it offers to the vendor and customers. For more information about the administration software visit the EziVend Website.

Being based on the Windows® platform makes EziVend much more easy to use, adds greater graphics capabilties (making it a lot easier on the eye) and allows for more powerful functions and features to be included.

The Buster24 System can operate either on a pre-paid membership system, or alternatively via credit-card only. Credit cards can also be used (in addition to cash) to recharge a customers membership card via a simple interface using preset amounts.

Credit cards can also be used to purchase sales products, thereby enabling anybody with a credit card to use the machine to purchase products. This greatly increases the sales potential of the machine and is also an excellent way to introduce people to the concept of using a machine to hire or purchase products.

When recharging the pre-paid membership system, either by cash or by credit card, bonus credit can be awarded to customers according to a preconfigured bonus table. The bonus table sets the amount awarded based on how much money a customer recharges to their membership card. The bonus credits can have an expiry date independent of standard credits. This promotes customer loyalty and entices customers to spend a larger sum upfront.

The EV Machine software can also allow for a set 'free browsing period'. After this time period is used up in any one session, the customers membership card can automatically be debited a pre-configured amount to extend browsing time. This can discourage users with no intent to buy or rent from browsing at a selector for extended periods of time, in the process stopping another user from buying or renting.

The software makes the machines easily expandable, growing with your customer base and business needs, allowing you to network extra machines or browsing stations as demand increases. It is also flexible enough to allow for a variety of products including new product sales.

All rates and operational aspects are configurable via the remote administration software, allowing changes to be made without physically going to a machine.

While the machine is in an idle state, it will display slideshows of new release product covers, interleaved with full screen advertisements. These are used to generate customer interest and can also provide revenue if used with 3rd party advertisements.

Items can be viewed as a full list or categorized into genres. Item types can also be displayed mixed or can be filtered by DVD, VHS or boxed products. While browsing a category, a customer may navigate through by item or jump by alphabetical sorting.

For the currently selected item, a box shot or product image is displayed, along with complete product details such as description (movie overview/synopsis), duration, actors, director and price. This provides a similar experience to the customer as if they were in a store physically holding the product. In the case of rentals, this screen can also display if the current item has already been rented by this customer. (Also known as the Already Seen feature, which can be disabled by the vendor if so desired).

During the selection process, customers can reserve items for rental/purchase and before finalizing their transaction, review a list of reserved items. They may then choose to finalize the reservations or go back and unreserve any unwanted items.

• Export new customer and product details to the machine.
• Import transaction details from the machine.
• Enable/disable all use of credit card.
• Enable/disable credit card browsing for New Product Sales or Ex-Rental Sales.
• Enable/disable credit card browsing for Rentals (forces customer to obtain membership first).
• Enable/disable membership card browsing for Rentals, New Product Sales and/or Ex-Rental Sales.
• Enable/disable Already Seen feature (which advises customers if they have previously rented that item).
• Configure and export Bonus table values and expiry dates for membership card credits and bonus credits.
• Set a Warning Value for membership card credits (i.e. warn customers when their credit runs below $10).
• Set maximum 'free browsing period' and value charged after exceeding this period.
• Set the maximum number of products a customer may rent at any one time.
• Set times to de-activate the machine if required.
• Tag Rental items to be sold under Ex-Rental Sales.