High Tech Vending Machines Transform IT Support At Facebook 210
Hugh Pickens writes "While getting power cords, replacement keyboards, and other sundry computer accessories to employees who need them sounds easy enough, at many companies the process requires filling out order forms that can take IT departments days to fulfill. That's why Facebook CIO Tim Campos decided to take a more user-friendly approach to this common problem, installing custom-made vending machines around the Facebook campus that dispense computer accessories instead of snacks and sodas. When Facebook engineers spill coffee on their keyboard (a common mishap), they head to a nearby vending machine instead of hitting up their IT guy or just grabbing a replacement from a nearby cabinet. They swipe their badge, key in their selection and voila — a brand new keyboard drops down for them to take. According to Campos, they've reduced the cost of managing replacement accessories by about 35%. While products found in the vending machines are free, items are clearly marked with price tags so employees can see the retail value of each accessory they take. The new vending machines also require all employees to swipe their badge before making a selection. That means each and every power cord, keyboard and screen wipe they take can be traced back to their name, ensuring that the system won't be abused. 'I like the assumption that employees will do the right thing,' writes Alexis Madrigal. 'The swipe means that everyone's requests are tracked and I'm sure some algorithm somewhere is constantly sorting the data to see if anyone has pulled 10 sets of headphones out of the system.'"
Same Typical Vending Problems? (Score:5, Funny)
Do employees have to trek across campus to get the vending machine they like that stocks their particular favored model of headset, mouse or keyboard?(Model M preferably)
Do they sometime get stuck requiring quickly looking around to make sure no one is looking then banging the machine a few times?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Easy resale! (Score:5, Funny)
how do they track jam's and double drops? (Score:3, Funny)
how do they track jam's and double drops?
At least it's free so you have some kicking the shit out of it when it eats your cash.
Re:Cost savings (Score:4, Funny)
"Reduced the cost of managing replacement accessories by about 35%."
They are reducing the overhead of talking to a support person, them getting a part off the shelf, marking down that it has been removed by whom for whom for what reason, and all the rest. Something mentioned in the summary.
This is *Facebook* people, you're missing it (Score:5, Funny)
Vending Machines, hmm?
How long until the vending system gets a Facebook page? Then when everyone orders Such&Such keyboard and headphones, the machine can post "Joe Smith Likes this!" Then they can sell that data to advertisers!
Do Vending Machines have Friends?
The fun never stops!
Will it get stuck? (Score:5, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Re:how do they track jam's and double drops? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Same Typical Vending Problems? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:How many keyboards do these guys go through? (Score:4, Funny)
Ok. So I'm assuming this is for people that aren't supporting datacenter based equipment. Y'know the guys that have to plug in thousands of powercords...
So if you're outfitting your cube/desk area, how many keyboards and power cords do you go through? Also, do most FB employees standardize on the 'vending machine' keyboard, or do they have their own personal preference?
I can tell you I wear out a keyboard in about three months and before I switched to "cheapie" Logitech mice, $10 a pop, I was burning through expensive mice every other month. It all depends on how much work you do. After two months the "A" on my keyboard is badly worn and at three months a dozen keys are showing wear. I would say keyboard wear is a good sign of how much work you do. If you can last two or three years on a keyboard you are probably over paid.
Re:Common mishap? (Score:5, Funny)
Again, how many times do I have to tell you about using common sense on the Internet...?
I suspect (Score:4, Funny)
The swipe means that everyone's requests are tracked and I'm sure some algorithm somewhere is constantly sorting the data ...
So there's a screen on the front of the vending machine that displays targeted advertising then?
Another definition of swipe? (Score:5, Funny)
One could just "swipe" the desired accessory from someone else's desk. That would be much more difficult to track.
Re:Same Typical Vending Problems? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Mix up both systems? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Same Typical Vending Problems? (Score:5, Funny)
Sorry, you're wrong. We removed the Model M's from our vending machines because when the keyboard dropped into the out-tray, it broke the vending machine in half and then dented the floor. :)