April 29 – May 3, 2016. Cyprus, Ayia Napa.
Installing an automated smart lockers complex
We spent the end of April and the start of May 2016 in Cyprus, in the town of Ayia Napa, on Nissi Bay beach. The trip to Cyprus turned out to be genuinely packed: we not only installed and launched a complex of beach lockers, but also met with a number of entrepreneurs interested in trying this business for themselves.
Technical features of a beach installation
Our technician walked everyone through the finer details of how lockers hold up in coastal conditions. The first topic was durability against a harsh environment, since the cabinets have to operate surrounded by sand and constant exposure to salt water, which places much higher demands on the cabinet coating and the protection of the internal electronics.
The technician also shared our experience in choosing the right installation spot for vending equipment, and demonstrated how the interface, software, and remote access work, the same remote access that lets us monitor the condition of the lockers and adjust settings without needing to be physically present on site.
What's next for Cyprus's beaches
After the meeting, it became clear that automated lockers are genuinely in demand on Cyprus's beaches: interest from both tourists and local entrepreneurs turned out to be higher than we initially expected. We're hoping this trip to Ayia Napa won't be our last, and that we'll be back to install even more beach storage units in the future.
Which services actually generate revenue on a beach
The second, equally important factor in this business is proper organization and choosing the right mix of services offered on the beach. MVK-MASH lockers can provide storage for belongings, mobile device charging through phone charging terminals, pizza delivery and taxi booking, as well as ticket sales for boat trips, theaters, and museums.
I personally ran a consultation covering exactly how to negotiate for beach locations. After eight years in this business, I've built up a solid amount of experience, which I'm always happy to share with new partners. And a quick note: my contacts are always open, feel free to reach out!