What, vending machines for network cables?

You’d be forgiven for doing a double-take if you try buying a snack at this vending machine at NextDC’s facilities in Melbourne or Sydney.

Instead of chocolate bars, there are vending machines found in the break-room of NextDC facilities selling networking equipment.

The machine below accepts credit cards and dispenses patch cables, GigaTrue3 and fibre lockable cables and even a five port USB-powered switch. Extension power cables are the top seller, according to a blog post on the NextDC site. The machines also have suggestion forms.

NextDC is so proud of the machines, it has gone as far as giving them a name – NXTvend. The company has invited Black Box to supply the products, which will be changed to meet demand. The NextDC site states that the deal is exclusive and means NextDC receives better pricing.

While NextDC has vending machines supplying networking equipment throughout its facilties, the vending machines with Black Box supplied products are currently in the Sydney and Melbourne facilities and will go into NextDC’s Brisbane, Canberra and Perth facilities next.

Earlier this year CRN reported that Britain’s ITV had been toying with the idea of allowing temporary workers to get Chromebooks from vending machines.