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CIMA’s 5 Ps of Doing Business with the Cannabis Industry

Since the first recreational dispensary opened in Colorado in 2014, the retail cannabis industry has steadily gained momentum across the country. There are more than 7,000 dispensaries across the United States and over 12,000 cultivation licenses for growers. The industry generated $26.5 billion in sales in 2021 and is projected to top $32 billion in 2022. CIMA is proud to be part of this industry, and we are guided by our 5Ps of doing business with dispensaries:

Practices

With the staggering amount of money to be made supporting the cannabis industry, it is no surprise that many companies display a green leaf on their brochures and promote their services and products to dispensaries and growers.

CIMA is different. We understand that the cannabis industry needs dedicated techniques, tailored recommendations, and industry-specific procedures. To best serve the needs of the cannabis industry, CIMA approaches each client situation without a preconceived notion because we realize that no two businesses are the same. Learning the specific challenges of each establishment is integral to CIMA’s multi-step approach:

Discovery: We dig deep to uncover a particular cannabis business’s unique challenges. Cash handling procedures, cash volume, security concerns, number of locations, reporting requirements, and many other variables are important factors in determining the best suite of solutions.
Consultation: We draw on our industry experience to identify possible products and services that meet the business’s cash handling needs and budget.
Collaboration: We work with our engineers, installers, the customer, and trusted CIMA certified partners to implement the best configuration of hardware, software, and ongoing support that will increase efficiency and reduce the cost of handling cash.

“If you’re like me, I was going crazy dealing with the cash in my retail locations. My life changed after I put the CIMA cash machines in. Cash is secure; my staff is on the floor with customers, not dealing with cash issues in the back office. I would never open a store without them.” -Tom Denha, CFO/CEO of JARS

Partnerships

CIMA is dedicated to helping the cannabis industry thrive. As a heavily involved manufacturer, CIMA is always working with our partners to strategically dive deep into each client. Whether engaging with partners and clients, networking at industry events, or staying informed about cannabis-related legislation, CIMA has proactively built relationships and developed expertise in the sector. Our customers benefit from our extensive experience working with cannabis retailers and our industry connections. We have a number of partnerships and are always exploring new partner relationships as we focus on finding the most knowledgeable and respected service companies and industry minds, investing in our partners as a result.

EMC
CIMA is active with The Emerging Markets Coalition (EMC), a non-profit organization that advocates for the normalization, electronification, and increased accessibility to complete financial services for cannabis-related industries. EMC members are cannabis-related industry players who proactively drive relationships and workable legislation, regulation, and public perception. CIMA supports EMC’s strategy of making cash transparent, traceable and taxable.

MJ Bizcon
CIMA is excited to join other innovators serving the cannabis industry again at MJ BizCon in Las Vegas this November. The premier event is attended by over 35,000 cannabis executives worldwide. Professionals from all levels gather to make deals, hear the latest industry trends and insights into the current political landscape, source the right solution providers, and gain knowledge from leaders in the industry.
Visit our booth in the South Hall Upper #10125.

Are you interested in learning more about CIMA’s involvement in the cannabis industry or exploring ways to partner? Click here.

Products

One thing that has not changed in the cannabis industry is the dependence on cash. Due to federal regulations, most of the billions spent on recreational marijuana are cash-only transactions. Dispensaries must keep track of every dollar and maintain meticulous records to remain in compliance. CIMA offers a broad range of solutions that have proven to be effective tools for the cannabis industry:

- Point-of-sale cash recycling kiosks
- Back-office recyclers
- Smart safes
- Cash handling machines
- CIMA software: C-Link, CAOS

CIMA machines are equipped with dedicated software that sets user permissions, creates electronic records of all transactions and is configurable for specific needs.

Please click here for more information on CIMA’s cannabis line of products and services.

People

Vik Devjee is the Vice President of CIMA America, and he has collaborated with cannabis clients on their cash handling procedures from conception to completion. In this role, Vik has helped dispensaries and growers navigate the complex cash handling regulations of the industry. Vik recounts how the sector has grown, and his early experience with the cannabis industry:

“Learning about the cannabis business has been exciting. You can watch a whole industry emerge from the shadows and into the legitimate business space. It’s very community-based and has a spirit of grass-roots cooperation.”

Vik knew what was needed as this business sector grew for CIMA.

“I realized that it was essential for CIMA to find someone who was laser-focused on this sector – someone who could lead the charge in customer service and advocate for the cannabis industry, as well as help them manage their cash handling challenges. And I’m happy to say that we have found that person. We recently welcomed Julie Cudd as our Business Development Manager for the cannabis sector.”

As CIMA’s Business Development Manager for the cannabis sector, Julie will be responsible for developing strategy and support initiatives for cannabis businesses throughout the United States. Julie approaches the challenge from a consultative and collaborative standpoint, and her ultimate goal is to help businesses thrive, not just sell CIMA’s products and services.

“As a family-held company with global recognition as a leader in cash management solutions, CIMA’s emphasis has always been on relationships,” says Vik. “And Julie has the perfect personality to develop those relationships.”

“I’m thrilled to be part of this business,” says Julie. “The people who make up the cannabis sector are the most passionate industry experts. It is a pleasure to work with them. I can draw from my background in fintech, retail management, security, cloud technology, hospitality, payments, and training. I’m excited to help cannabis businesses reduce their cost of managing cash, but more than anything, I value these businesses and love this role because it allows me to be a trusted business advisor in an industry that often deals with a lot of grey. Cash management is painful for cannabis businesses. My goal is the make that the most simple streamlined part of their business.”

To contact our team of dedicated professionals, or to learn more about Julie or Vik, click here.

Purpose

CIMA is dedicated to helping businesses reduce the cost of managing cash. We accomplish this through continuous investment in innovation, best practice manufacturing, and collaboration with our worldwide business partners.

For cannabis dispensaries, CIMA works with business operators to reduce time, control costs, increase revenue and accuracy, and increase security when managing cash. Our solutions are delivered through a network of highly capable partners to implement and support our solutions for the cannabis industry. CIMA Cash Handling America supplies a broad range of solutions to businesses across Banking / Financial Institutions, Retail, Hospitality, and Gaming – not just cannabis.
To learn more about CIMA, click here.

CIMA Announces New Strategic Partnership with Avivatech

Houston, TX, January 2021 – Avivatech, LLC and CIMA Cash Handling America, Inc. are pleased to announce a strategic partnership in the US retail cash management marketplace. This partnership is the result of CIMA’s long-lasting relationship with Benchmark Technology Group, which was acquired by Digital Check Corp., in February 2021. Shortly thereafter Avivatech was announced as a cash automation solution provider.

This relationship enables Avivatech to provide its clients with CIMA’s innovative back-office recycling products such as its self-sealing stacking bag technology across its cash recycling and smart safe portfolio.

“CIMA and AvivaTech represent two of the industry’s foremost innovators. Combining Avivatech’s software solutions with CIMAs innovative cash management products will offer retail environments with a seamless back-office cash management solution,” states Vik Devjee, Vice President of CIMA Cash Handling America.

”I am pleased to have a company like CIMA embrace our retail cash automation strategy and be willing to partner with us on bringing state-of-the-art hardware and software technologies to the marketplace”, according to Jeff Hempker, President at Avivatech. “Together, our products help retailers automate and track their cash wherever they count.”

About Avivatech

Avivatech delivers a comprehensive solution of the best products, training resources, and dedicated support technicians for cash automation and check automation management for banking and retail environments. We help our clients advance and achieve their goals through our adaptive custom solutions and services. avivatech.com

The Last Mile of Cash Management

What Does “Last Mile” Mean?

The Last Mile typically refers to the final stage in a commercial, industrial, or delivery process. The term was first used in the telecommunications industry to describe the final stretch of wiring that delivers services to customers. Telecom companies realized that the last mile was the least efficient and expensive part of the installation and delivery process. Other industries soon identified most of their own “last mile” problems. For retail, manufacturing, transportation, and supply chain, the last mile refers to the challenges that arise when a product goes from the final distribution center to the customer. This final part of the delivery tends to be the most complicated, inefficient, and expensive part of the entire operation.

Did you know cash management also has a last mile problem?

Cash management solutions have been around for a long time. Businesses can choose from various smart safes, cash recyclers, and other machines that validate, count, sort, deposit, and dispense banknotes. The technology and process are familiar to almost anyone who has worked in retail, hospitality, gaming, or other industries that accept and process cash. Let’s follow the path of cash management through an establishment:

At the start and end of each shift, check the tills in and out (dispensed/deposited)
Count, validate, and sort the cash in the back office
Place the cash in a smart safe or recycler
The CIT crew removes the cash cassette from the machine
Cash must be bundled, bagged, and sealed before being transported
Cash is transported by the CIT and processed at the depot
At first glance, this may seem like a reasonably efficient and straightforward cycle of events.

However, a closer inspection shows that the store’s final steps of cash management are fraught with inefficiencies and expenses.

A typical cash recycler or smart safe utilizes bulky cash cassettes that require significant manual effort. The CIT crew, with store management supervision, removes the cassettes from the machines. Next, they must bundle and bag the notes. Not only is this process time-consuming, but it requires additional staff to supervise. It also exposes the business to human error or theft.

In some cases, actual store staff removes and bundles the cash. Once the cash arrives at the CIT depot, the bundles of cash or loose notes must be processed, adding time and labor costs. We call this manual end process “The Last Mile of Cash Handling.”

CIMA Innovation Streamlines the Last Mile

CIMA smart safes and cash recyclers use an entirely different technology. CIMA machines deposit notes and tightly stack them into a heat-sealed bag inside the safe. The result looks like a shrink-wrapped block of notes. No more bulky, breakable cassettes! Do away with the cassette system and realize greater efficiencies:

Less risk of theft or human error
More transparency and accountability for cash transactions
Minimize third-party fees, such as CIT fees and banking fees
Reduce cash-room/back-office activities and related costs
Eliminate manual bag processing for CIT collection
Cut depot processing time significantly. No need to deal with bundles of notes.

CIMA’s self-sealing stacking bag technology addresses many of the issues that arise in the last mile of cash management. This innovative technology is available across all product categories, including teller cash recyclers, smart safes, recyclers, and customer-facing recycling solutions.

Cash Management Innovation During a Crisis

It has been approximately one year since COVID19 threw the world into chaos. The toll on lives, economies, businesses, and general well-being has been tremendous, and we may see the repercussions for years. For companies across the spectrum, the ability to adapt, pivot, and innovate quickly separated the field into survivors and strugglers. Influential corporate leaders rapidly shifted their organizations in response to unexpected events and changing customer needs. Like other periods of disaster and recovery in world history, the disruptions caused by COVID19 sowed seeds of creativity and cash management innovation.

CIMA Engineers innovate during COVID

As the pandemic raced from continent to continent, it shut down cities and economies in its wake. Many businesses took a wait-and-see approach, hoping to weather the storm and return to regular operation in short order. Nobody anticipated the challenge of a year-long shutdown. CIMA leadership evaluated the situation and refocused its corporate efforts on cash management innovation with engineering and Research and Development (R&D).

“It was obvious that international shipments would be a challenge during the pandemic. We knew that there would be some downtime, so we took that opportunity to think outside the box and began innovating new products to meet the emerging needs of the marketplace. CIMA is a manufacturer with deep R&D capability, not just an assembler of parts, and we wanted to use the time to create new solutions. We asked our engineers to rethink some of our existing products and try out new ideas,” said Vittorio Razzaboni, CEO of CIMA (HQ-Italy).

CIMA’s in-house engineering, research, and development teams are composed of 55 talented professionals with a combined 300 years of experience in the industry. The intense focus on R&D in 2020 produced several innovative breakthroughs. Unlike companies that tried to wait out this challenging period, CIMA brought brand new solutions to the market:

Finalized the high capacity, cassette-based, AST9000 Teller Cash Recycler (TCR) for the banking segment by pushing through software integration with middleware partners.
Launched an entire range of consumer-facing INLANE models to market, including a kiosk.
Built a new product – The SDM50, an ultra-compact smart safe with self-sealing stacking bag technology.

“Our newest ultra-compact smart-safe (SDM50) is a great example of our R&D team thinking outside the box. For years, our engineers were building bigger and bigger machines with greater capacity to serve our customers. During the pandemic slowdown, we realized there was a huge need from retailers that want the same unique features and functions (like our self-sealing stacking bag technology) but with much smaller volumes of cash. We creatively re-engineered everything in the new safe to be smaller and delivered the industry’s first smart safe to bag 1,200 notes. This product eliminates the need for traditional smart safes with cassettes now,” says Marco Angelini, Head of R&D at CIMA (HQ)

Vik Devjee, Vice President of CIMA-Cash Handling America, is excited about the possibilities and is eager to bring these new solutions to the U.S. market.

“Based on what we’ve accomplished from the new SDM50, we are looking to integrate the engineering into other lines of products. For example, self-sealing stacking bag technology in our INLANE range. I think there will be a high demand for these innovative products and solutions,” states Devjee.

Introducing the SDM50

The SDM50 is an ultra-compact BANKNOTE deposit machine (smart safe) from CIMA. Designed for low cash volume applications where moving notes to a secure safe is essential. It is ideally suited for convenience stores, quick-service restaurants (QSR), pharmacies, and other small-format retail environments.

The SDM50 smart safe is equipped with CIMA’s unique self-sealing plastic stacking bag technology (1,200 banknotes).  The SDM50 has a single note validator and can process 2 banknotes per second.

Powered by CIMA’s own BV1000 validator ensures full image authenticity and compliance with all major global central banks.

The SDM50 is also equipped with a 7inch touch screen pc that runs our CAOS light on-device application. An integrated receipt printer and Dallas key reader is also included.

Benefits:

High-performance BV1000L validator for fast and accurate note processing (2 bills/sec)
Multiple currency options
Pull out system for easy maintenance/replacement
Heat sealing stacking bag system
1,200 banknotes
Notes are stacked tightly in a plastic bag that is sealed prior to removal
Allows for easy transport and processing at CIT depots
Safe can only be opened once the bag is fully sealed
Small footprint and height for flexible installation scenarios
Fully compatible with CAOS Light device software and C-Link management platform

About CIMA Corporate Leadership

CIMA is a private Italian, family-owned, and operated business spanning three generations based in Mirandola, Italy. Family ownership gives the company the flexibility to make agile decisions in product development. For almost 65 years, CIMA has redefined the cash handling industry through innovation, continuous investment in research and development, and by understanding customer-specific needs in more than 45 countries.

CIMA – America

CIMA Cash Handling America, Inc. is based in Houston, Texas, and is the first corporate location outside of the Italian headquarters. CIMA is poised to serve its U.S. customers and partners by helping businesses significantly reduce the cost of managing cash. CIMA Cash Handling America supplies a broad range of smart safes, back office/front of store recycling systems, and software to businesses across Banking / Financial Institutions, Retail, Hospitality, and Gaming.