The availability of new technologies has given vending machine manufacturers and software developers many tools to address market demands of vending operators. Advances in software and electronics are now enabling the use of computer controls and data acquisition systems directly inside a vending machine. Some of the latest vending machines now make it possible for vending machine operators to download selected aspects of operational information on-site onto portable computers. Although these computerized systems make it easier for operators to gather and analyze some data, they generally ignore many significant aspects of vending operations and commonly provide untimely data. In addition, these computerized systems are typically cumbersome, difficult to connect and fail to leverage advanced functionality likely to enhance vending machine operation efficiency and profitability.