Bama Dining is Test Site for Engineering Alum’s Invention

UA diners who never run out of their favorite beverage have John Podsednik to thank for that. The 2023 engineering alumnus is using Bama Dining locations to perfect his low soda monitoring system and is close to that goal.

A Common Problem

While studying engineering at the Capstone, Blue Powerade fan Podsednik had become frustrated with his favorite drink constantly running out. But he wasn’t the only one.

“John became well-acquainted with the frustrations of the dining staff and operators, especially when popular beverages like his favorite drink were unavailable,” said Bruce McVeagh, Bama Dining’s resident district manager.

Already familiar with the staff, Podsednik knew he could approach Bama Dining about this issue.

“If I was having a rough day, it got better by talking to the dining hall staff. I met Bruce that way,” he said. “I knew I could bring this to him.”

Podsednik is not one to just sit on an idea, so he got to work almost immediately.

Getting the Creative Juices Flowing

Thoughtful conversations between he and McVeagh gave Podsednik an idea of where to begin. “When I started on this it was like a second senior design project. In three days I had a prototype,” said Podsednik.

“His idea was brilliant. It’s a series of scales placed under the syrup boxes that would weigh the contents and send a signal to a phone or tablet, alerting operators when stock was running low,” said McVeagh. “I was amazed by the depth of his design and the technical consideration he’d put into it.”

More collaboration between Podsednik and Bama Dining helped his system grow closer to where it is today. It now operates in the Lakeside and Student Center dining halls.

“He sought further feedback and enhancements. We suggested adding features such as real-time access for our Coca-Cola representative to monitor inventory levels remotely, as well as operational usage reports by day, week and month — both by flavor and overall consumption,” explained McVeagh. “John delivered once again, integrating these functionalities into the system.

“We also requested a pager-like device for the employees to wear, notifying them when a soda dispenser was running low. John incorporated this feature as well, rounding out a comprehensive solution.”

Creating a Real-World Solution

While Podsednik’s system has operated successfully in UA dining halls, he’s not stopping there. He created a company, Precision Monitoring Technology. His team includes software developers, his dad and his former high school professor, Nathan Swick. While in high school, Podsednik developed a therapeutic rehab device with Swick that can be used to facilitate the healing of tendons and ligaments in joints, while increasing mobility.

“I’m grateful that Alabama, where I graduated from, has been my testing site for this system,” he said. “I’ve been working closely with Bruce and Bama Dining for two years to work out any bugs and issues to get the system as perfect as possible.”

Now back in his home state of Maryland, Podsednik is a government contractor by day and a jack of many trades by night to help fund his creation. The former UA and Baltimore Ravens cheerleader is a cheer coach, just one of a few side gigs he’s doing to help bring this dream to fruition. To date, he says he has spent $20,000 to $30,000 of his own money to bring the system this far.

He is also working with a patent lawyer on aspects of the monitoring system and says the system at UA will be an example for other schools.

“I’m waiting on our software developers to finalize the next version and I’ll be heading back to UA to hopefully add all the bells and whistles and get it to 100%,” said Podsednik.

“I don’t want to put a system out there that isn’t the best solution it can be,” he added. “Once the UA system is perfected, I’m hoping to take it to other schools and places in the food and dining industry.”

Podsednik encourages everyone to pursue big dreams, especially in college.

“I’m so excited that I could do this as a student at the time at Alabama and Bama Dining being so willing to help make this all happen,” he said. “Now I get to grow it and help make people smile.”