WHY EVERY WORKSPACE NEEDS A COFFEE MACHINE AND HOW TO SELECT THE PERFECT MACHINE FOR YOUR COMPANY

 

Enhancing Office Efficiency: 

The Significance of an in-house Coffee Machine and Factors to Ponder Before buying a new machine.

Summary: 

Office coffee machines are financial and temporal saviours, enhancing efficiency and contentment at work. Key factors to evaluate encompass the number of brews, coffee type/quality, and financial allocation.

 

Optimising Time and Resources

While a spontaneous visit to a nearby coffee shop for a swift takeaway may be a gratifying mental respite during the workday, many of us prefer more than a solitary cup of coffee daily. If frequenting your dose of caffeine is a routine, a significant chunk of your productive hours will probably be lost, and accompanied by a lighter wallet.

For those situated close enough to a cafe, the complete escapade can take up to 30 minutes, contingent on the café's congestion and the distance from and to your desk. This might be agreeable sporadically, but sacrificing substantial work hours for a few sips is scarcely plausible for the majority, even with the most understanding supervisor.

The cost-effectiveness is remarkable, with an approximate expense per cup from a premium automatic coffee machine averaging around 60 cents in contrast to the typical cafe offering, amounting to an impressive 85% savings per cup.

 

Elevated Productivity and Workplace Contentment

Productivity and convenience are pivotal selling points, and the mere presence of a coffee maker in the office substantially elevates the overall ambience of the workplace. 

Securing a nice cup of coffee is not merely a crucial source of caffeine, aiding heightened energy levels and concentration; it also offers an essential mental hiatus for the employees. These breaks can ameliorate productivity by creating a distinct demarcation between various work assignments or acquiring clarity on a project that might have engrossed them for extended periods. This fact is substantiated by a multitude of studies delving into workplace productivity and morale levels.

The communal aspect holds significance as well, with team members more inclined to partake in coffee breaks collectively. This presents an avenue for the exchange of thoughts, expertise, and familiarity with each other in a casual and amicable manner. A coffee maker stands as an uncomplicated and cost-efficient approach to nurture teamwork and collaboration while curbing unproductive work hours.

Being capable of offering top-notch coffee to visiting clientele or during business meetings is a modest yet highly appreciated gesture. Possessing an exceptional coffee maker on-site augments perceived value and comfort in the customer's encounter. Sharing a cup of coffee with your clients or team members serves as a splendid medium for social bonding, fostering robust relationships. The coffee culture is notably potent in Australia, and the ability to present your staff and customers with a genuinely delectable, reassuring coffee significantly contributes to forging enduring bonds, necessitating minimal effort and at a notably modest expense.

 

Selecting the Right Coffee Machine

Several important factors should be considered when choosing the right coffee maker for your workplace. Reflecting on these aspects before making a decision can result in cost savings and overall satisfaction. Investing in a high-quality coffee maker is crucial and eagerly anticipated by many in the office—making a wrong choice could lead to frustration! 

Fortunately, some thoughtful consideration along with this excellent guide can equip you with valuable insights to confidently interact with our skilled machine specialists. The following considerations encompass the questions our team is likely to ask when you visit us, so being prepared in advance can simplify the process. Streamlining the decision-making process means more time to enjoy the coffee machine!

 

What quantity of cups do you envisage your machine producing daily?

Let's delve into capacity. The greater the number of coffees to be brewed each day, the higher the probability of opting for a machine endowed with a capacious water reservoir, grinds receptacle, and bean storage capacity.

Overestimating your needs is a prudent choice rather than underestimating and procuring a machine incapable of keeping pace during the busier periods.

Contemplate whether the machine might also be employed to extend coffee to clients and patrons, consequently making its workload more fluctuating or less predictable compared to your team's coffee consumption.

For significantly extensive workplaces, estimating an average of 2 cups of coffee per individual is a reasonably accurate, well-informed conjecture. Though some might indulge in more. If client coffees are factored in, you can formulate a rough approximation, then round up for safety.

Illustratively, in an establishment comprising 20 staff members, a prudent assumption would be the machine producing roughly 40 coffees per day. It would be judicious to append an extra 20-30 coffees daily to the machine's workload in domains such as hair salons, automotive workshops, or real estate. This signifies the need for a machine capable of comfortably yielding around 60-80 cups each day.

 

What functionalities are key for your coffee maker?

Understanding the specific functionalities your coffee maker should embody aids in narrowing down the myriad options available. Pertinent aspects to weigh when procuring an office coffee maker in terms of functionality are as follows:

Coffee variants: Do your personnel and patrons primarily favour black or milk-based coffees? Given that a predominant populace in Australia gravitates towards milk-infused coffees, it's pivotal to opt for a machine proficient in steaming hot milk. If such is the case, it's also prudent to contemplate acquiring a diminutive milk refrigerator or temperature-regulated milk vessel to complement the coffee maker and maintain milk freshness throughout the day.

Beverage options: You can also opt for a coffee maker boasting an extensive array of producible beverages. Some machines proffer the option of concocting a limited gamut of drinks such as short blacks, long blacks, and flat whites. Others present a comprehensive menu encompassing the aforementioned offerings along with lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and hot milk servings (for hot chocolates and chai lattes).

Customisation: Certain machines offer a broader spectrum of options for customizing a drink, including the capacity to modulate the coffee shot's potency and milk temperature, and the provision to save beverage presets for individual staff members or patrons.

Automation: A plethora of machines currently feature Bluetooth connectivity. Staff members can download an application on their mobile devices, permitting them to craft and save their personalized coffee preferences, subsequently transmitting it to the coffee maker remotely, provided a cup is placed beneath the spouts. No physical contact is necessitated! This not only upholds hygiene but also ensures that coffee maker settings remain consistent, catering to individual preferences.

Plumbing alternatives: Do you wish to have the option of plumbing your machine into the mains, eliminating the need to replenish the water tank? Or perhaps, the appeal of a countertop machine beckons, as it facilitates easy relocation to a convenient spot, as and when desired.

Versatile coffee input: Some coffee machines offer the option to utilise pre-ground coffee in addition to fresh whole beans. This proves beneficial if you have a considerable number of decaffeinated coffee enthusiasts or staff members who prefer to furnish their own coffee - ensuring contentment for all!

 

What quality of coffee do you anticipate from your machine?

Diverse coffee machines yield varying standards of coffee. How do you prefer your coffee? What are you willing to compromise? If the response is a resolute desire for a coffee resembling barista quality as closely as possible, the choice becomes unequivocal. The factors influencing quality with office coffee machines encompass the following:

Utilisation of powdered or fresh milk: We ardently advocate for 'fresh is best,' acknowledging, however, that certain establishments, due to their scale or time constraints, might opt for an alternate choice.

Usage of freeze-dried coffee or fresh whole coffee beans: Comparable to machines utilising powdered milk for expediency, they frequently lean towards freeze-dried coffee, recognised as instant coffee, rather than freshly ground coffee beans. The distinction between instant coffee and fresh espresso-based coffee is a universally acknowledged reality!

Basket capacity: Denoting the grams of coffee the machine employs each time to craft a coffee shot. In this regard, larger is indisputably superior. The greater the coffee dose, the more the quantity of dissolved coffee soluble - sugar, oils, acids, and caffeine - all the delightful essence! This concoction yields the luscious, frothy top on your coffee shot, termed 'crema.'

Standard of milk froth/steaming: Not all machines are on par in this domain, underscoring the significance of witnessing a demonstration before purchase! If you and your team relish milk-based coffee, then you are assuredly familiar with the velvety, micro-foam milk texture cherished by Australians. Securing a coffee maker capable of upholding these standards is imperative.

Extraction excellence: Naturally, certain machines extract the essence from your coffee to a superior standard than others. This hinges on their engineered mechanisms - how they propel the water through the coffee, at what pressure, and pattern. Any adept machine specialist will adeptly elucidate the functioning of each machine concerning extraction, and the advantages of particular systems over others.

 

What is your budget for a coffee machine and is it sufficient?

 

When budgeting for a coffee machine, it's crucial to contemplate how swiftly the machine will amortise its cost through amplified staff efficiency, time saved outside the office, gratification of clients or patrons, and economizing on coffee expenditures in comparison to settling a tab at the local cafe. Coffee from the neighbourhood cafe commands approximately $5.60 per cup. Standard coffee pods average around $0.95 per cup. A cup of coffee from a commendable machine, like the Eversys Cameo professional automatic coffee maker, costs approximately $0.70. That translates to a saving of up to 30% in comparison to pods or an 85% reduction vis-a-vis a barista's coffee. This could equate to 30 minutes or more of additional productivity per cup! 

When you meticulously calculate the savings accrued by investing in a top-notch coffee maker, the distinction is unmistakable. Those who opt for a budget-friendly machine, which would produce a sub-par coffee, often rue their decision. 

Other associated costs tied to coffee machines that merit consideration include

Acquisition cost: the initial, upfront procurement of the machine and pertinent add-ons.

Installation expenditures: some machines might necessitate professional installation; it's imperative to inquire about the expenses linked to this. At Crema Coffee Garage, we advocate for machine installation and staff training with every office coffee machine we install. 

Weekly outlays: How much does it cost to maintain the machine each week in terms of utilities and consumables such as coffee beans, milk, chocolate powder, cups, or cleaning agents?

Maintenance and refurbishments: What are the expenses entailed in servicing or refurbishing the machine, and how frequently are these activities mandated? At ServiceSphere, we prioritise our clients by offering servicing and refurbishment services for all of the coffee machines that we install.

 

Let’s talk Coffee Machines, What Machines can I choose?

Well considering what we have mentioned above, there are quite a few options available to choose from such as:

Automatic Coffee Machines

Automatic coffee machines are a practical choice for businesses with a high number of coffee drinkers seeking both convenience and a high-quality cup of coffee. This is particularly ideal for hotels and lodging establishments, catering to guests who desire access to caffeine whenever they need it. It's also a valuable option for businesses that may not have professionally trained baristas or coffee shop staff. Automatic coffee machines are generally easy to maintain and simplify the coffee preparation process. Some machines here include:

 

Semi-Automatic Coffee Machines 

If you're in search of a solution that falls between an automatic coffee machine and a commercial espresso machine, this option is the perfect balance. A semi-automatic machine allows you to create a high-quality drip coffee beverage without the need to hire a barista for the task. Some of the machine options here include:

Commercial Coffee Machines

Elevate the coffee experience for your patrons and visitors by investing in a professional espresso maker. A steam wand, automated coffee grinder, and dual boilers are among the array of features that can aid in creating the ideal espresso beverage. This choice is highly recommended if you manage a well-regarded hotel and seek to provide espresso as a premium amenity. However, remember that skilled baristas and high-quality coffee beans are equally essential to ensure an exceptional espresso offering.

Machine options here are many including:

Commercial Coffee Vending Machine

Commercial coffee vending machines serve as a convenient solution for businesses seeking to provide their guests and customers with on-the-go coffee options. This is especially advantageous when dedicated staff for coffee preparation are unavailable, yet you want to ensure your patrons can savour their coffee without the need to venture to a specialty coffee shop.

In addition to benefiting larger enterprises, commercial vending machines also prove invaluable for small businesses. Offering your employees access to a commercial vending machine enhances convenience and helps them save both time and money that might otherwise be spent at a coffee shop or café. 

Your machine options here include:

Conclusion

This article aims to impart insightful perspectives on the pivotal questions to ponder when contemplating the integration of a coffee maker into the workplace.