Tomra Introduces Tomra-Trac Management System for Reverse Vending Machines

Tomra of North America Inc., based in Shelton, Conn., has introduced the Tomra-Trac, a technology platform designed to help retailers and redemption centers monitor and manage their reverse vending machines (RVM), while improving efficiency, customer service and profits.

According to the company, the Tomra-Trac is a retailer’s connection from their RVMs to Tomra. Through the system, the company is able to respond to requests, upload bar code changes, transmit data fixes and monitor RVM diagnostics, the company says.

The company rolled out a beta version of the Tomra-Trac in 2010, and the system is only available in North The Tomra-Trac platform.America at the present time.

Tomra-Trac offers two levels of connectivity: a basic connectivity, which is included with Tomra’s RVMs that provides instant access to account information by logging on to Tomra’s customer portal; and iRecycle, a password-protected website that gives managers the ability to download and pay invoices, manage bar codes, order supplies, request service, review reports and access product alerts.

Tomra-Trac Premium includes iRecycle access, as well as an easy-to-use touch screen, allowing managers to monitor real-time RVM status, manage bar codes with a built-in scanner, order supplies and request service, Tomra says. The premium version also integrates AccuDeem, Tomra’s system for identifying counterfeit receipts.

Tomra-Trac uses the internet to connect to Tomra, with SSL data encryption and other information safeguards. A tamper-resistant cable system, unique to Tomra, provides an additional level of security, the company says. Each store or redemption center only requires one IP address for as many as 15 RVMs.

For information on the Tomra-Trac, contact Melissa Radiwon, marketing manager, at melissa.radiwon@tomrana.com.

In other company news, Tomra also announced that it has sold the assets of Tomra Pacific Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tomra of North America Inc., to rePlanet LLC.

According to a release, the transaction, completed Jan. 1, 2012, was valued at around $25 million.

Tomra founded Tomra Pacific Inc. in 1998 through a series of acquisitions. The company says since its opening, Tomra Pacific has collected and processed about 2.5 billion cans and bottles in California.

The decision to sell Tomra Pacific follows the company’s shift in strategy to focus on the technology side of the business, while moving away from the physical handling of the material.

Tomra of North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tomra Systems ASA, based in Norway.