Schaerer discusses how its new Schaerer Coffee Skye machine provides customised flexibility for different application scenarios and the advantage of contactless solutions.
To swiss coffee machine manufacturer Schaerer, the flexibility to customise an order based on individual preference must coincide with beverage quality.
After the launch of Schaerer’s Coffee Soul machine, which caters to high-volume with a recommended daily output of 250 beverages, the Schaerer Coffee Skye is the next machine in the Schaerer portfolio to cater to individual customisation.
“The idea behind the Schaerer Coffee Skye was to cover the medium demand segment between the compact Schaerer Coffee Club and the high-performance Schaerer Coffee Soul,” says Rueegger.
“[The Coffee Skye] is well suited to small and medium-sized businesses with a recommended daily output of up to 180 cups of coffee,” says Product Manager Pauline Rueegger. “This includes small and middle restaurants, snack and non-alcoholic beverage bars, quick service restaurants, offices, or petrol stations, as well as mobile coffee concepts for events.”
“The Schaerer Coffee Skye is a young, modern machine that embodies individuality, with the freedom to configure customer preferences to suit their needs. The machine is very convenient with its compact size, mobility, excellent coffee quality and its new milk system Pure Foam, producing creamy and fine-pored milk foam.”
The Coffee Skye features the same graphical user interface (GUI) as the Coffee Soul, in 8-inch video capable high-resolution touchscreen.
The interface features large beverage icons for users to select up to two different blends thanks to two in-built grinders and up to two powder beverages in the one machine. The display can be adapted to the three most common application situations, such as frequent user mode, guest mode, or staff mode.
“For self-service operation, the guest mode is ideal. In guest mode, the selection is entirely guided and experiential, with several steps allowing for the precise composition of the drink. It’s perfect for the breakfast area of a hotel, a company restaurant, a gas station, or a convenience store” says Rueegger.
“The staff mode is perfect for efficient preparation of the drinks in just a few steps thanks to pre-set drinks, pre-modifier and order list. Staff will find it easy and quick to use. Launching the preparation of the most common orders is almost instantaneous, while all the other recipes are immediately accessible with minimum interaction.”
Unveiled to the public for the first time at the Internorga expo in Hamburg, Rueegger says the technical equipment and user profiles of the Schaerer Coffee Skye can be easily tailored to customer needs and applications.
Rueegger says while the machine development was met with some challenges, such as lack of supply and shipping delays due to the worldwide pandemic, it was important for Schaerer to add to its portfolio of models, and create a coffee machine with simplified construction, serviceability, and easy accessibility of components.
“We created an ambitious roadmap, with just over two years to complete the project. The effects of COVID-19 didn’t make it any easier, but the whole Schaerer team worked hard to develop the machine on time,” she says.
“We developed our first 3D printed prototype in August 2021. Because it was developed on time, it allowed us to fix any potential problems, make adjustments, and get the first internal feedback.
“Since then, we’ve field tested in Switzerland with eight machines and three machines internationally and have received very positive feedback from our customers.”
To cater for the current climate and increasing demand for convenience and hygienic self-service options, Schaerer’s Coffee Skye also features contactless preparation and payment processes.
“In these times of the coronavirus, the 2nd Screen, Touchless Outlet and Digital Payment Solution provide the self-service guest with a hygienic, contactless, and safe way to obtain the desired coffee drink,” says Schaerer Coffee’s Regional Sales Manager Alex Prel.
For low-contact preparation of coffees, the 2nd Screen option allows beverages to be prepared from the smartphone of the guest, through contactless ordering.
“A QR code appears on the display of the coffee machine. The end customer scans it with their smartphone, then the available coffee specialties are displayed. Tapping on the smartphone starts the preparation process,” says Prel.
Another plus for hygienic operation is the Schaerer Digital Payment Solution, which allows for contactless payment with a smartphone.
“The Schaerer Digital Payment Solution is now making it easy to enter the world of mobile app payment. The Schaerer Digital Payment Solution is an integral part of the coffee machine software,” says Prel.
“After selecting the beverage, a QR code appears on the coffee machine touch display, which the guest scans with a smartphone to initiate the payment process.
“If the operator uses their own app or a scanner is connected to the self-service coffee concept, the digital playing field is even larger — from beverage creation in apps by coffee connoisseurs to the implementation of customer loyalty programs based on bonus systems or vouchers,” says Prel.
Schaerer coffee machines can also easily connect with customer-specific apps, software solutions and systems thanks to Schaerer Prisma, a local application programming interface (API).
“Schaerer Prisma opens up almost unlimited possibilities for customers to communicate with the coffee machine and create customer specific preferences or new user experiences,” says Prel.
The Schaerer Prisma also acts as a local connection that enables significantly faster data transfer than cloud-based APIs.
Prel says another innovative feature of the Coffee Skye is that the screen can also be used as an advertising tool.
“When the machine is not in use, it’s capable of automatically playing videos or displaying screen savers. This presents the opportunity for brand exposure, enhanced targeting, and personalisation, proficiencies that traditional machines can’t compete with,” he says.
Prel says thanks to Schaerer’s longevity as an almost 100-year-old coffee manufacturing business, customers can be assured by the company’s expertise and ability to deliver a quality product.
“That, and Schaerer’s individual approach, allows for greater flexibility,” Prel says. “We don’t produce machines on stock because every customer requires their own configuration of exact demand and usage. By producing machines only after receipt of order, it allows us to provide exactly what they need.
“Our goal is to think ahead with existing solutions when it comes to intuitive operation, process reliability, and to share our extensive knowledge with as many coffee enthusiasts as possible.”
For more information, visit www.schaerer.com
This article was first published in the May/June 2022 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.