Bryakotnin Nikolay Aleksandrovich

Irkutsk national research technical university, Russia

Online monitoring of vending machines condition

Technical innovations penetrate deeper into trading processes. Today, no one surprises with online shops, selling goods with delivering for a house, etc. The goods are sold in shops with individual service and self-service, in kiosks and other retail outlets. Every year, points of trade, where sales are carried out through special equipment or devices, called vending machines, became more and more popular

In vending machines it is possible to sell both different drinks and piece goods (food and non-food products can be sold). The offer on trade in this way will grow, as purchases in vending machines are in demand.

The online monitoring system in the vending machine allows to remotely receive information on the sales and technical condition of the machine, and see on a real-time basis the latest events that occurred in the vending machine, and track the number of ingredients and the availability of coins indicating their denomination for nickelback.

Above mentioned process automate this type of activity, which explains the relevance of the research topic. Normally complete non-study of this new direction in business testifies to its novelty.

In the event of technical problems, the online monitoring system can notify the owner or operator via SMS or e-mail, which allows you to quickly restore the machine and exclude machine downtime.

The system of monitoring the condition of vending machines consists of two elements:

1. A modem installed in a vending machine.

2. Personal account on the Internet, through which you can view all information about the operation of automatic machines (all possible information of the state of the vending machine is located in the personal cabinet of the monitoring system).

The modem makes it possible to access the database without leaving home, even if it is removed by several thousand kilometers. The modem allows to send a message that is available to another user, copy the necessary files, view information on any computer, while creating a complete sense of work in the office network. In addition, using the global network, you can receive and send an e-mail not only inside the city, but also to any part of the globe. The Internet provides an opportunity to exchange mail, gives the opportunity to participate in various conferences, receive news on any topic that is interesting.

The modem is installed in a vending machine or a desktop coffee machine to collect information about the operation of the vending machine. The information received by the modem is sent to the server via GSM / GPRS channels, where it can be analyzed.

All settings in the modem operation and its software can be updated remotely. Also, to simplify operation, the modem can receive SMS commands (such as signal quality control, parameter variations, preschedule report query, etc.).

The most commonly used types of information exchange protocols between the vending machine and the payment system are the Executive and MDB protocols. The main difference lies in the hierarchy in the vending machine itself. Besides, the modem transmits information via GSM 900/1800 communication networks in GPRS packet transmission mode. A secure communication channel is used for transmission.

All control of the delivery of the drink and nickelback is on the electronics of the machine if applicable the MDB protocol. This protocol appeared relative recently, but it is already supported by all European automatic machines of the latest versions.

In the Executive protocol, all commands are sent by the payment system. The Executive protocol is used by most new and used vending machines.

The pace of development of vending machines today is staggering. Requests for maintenance personnel and requirements to owners of vending machines as equipment grow. Producers are trying to follow customers' requests: vending machines are developing, not only reliability, aesthetic appeal is improving, but also vending machines become more multi-functional and practical.

The principle of remote monitoring of vending machines is an integrated universal system that allows entrepreneurs and their personnel to obtain data on the number and name of the goods sold, the number of ingredients in the machine, errors occurring in the machine, in real time.

Based on the received data, the company can: plan a visit to a vending machine; control the operating personnel (to prevent the theft of goods and money); increase the working time of the machine due to timely maintenance; reduce machine downtime; effectively plan purchases and sales.

Online monitoring enhances optimization and efficiency by fine-tuning the company's business processes. That is why the monitoring system of vending machines saves money on maintenance and quickly repays.

List of reference links

1. Ivanova M.A Trade through machines: myths and reality. - ECO, 2006, P. 32.

2. Zolotnitsky A.R. Theory and practice of vending. - ECO, 2004, P. 24

3. Wilson E.D. Monitoring and analysis of networks. Methods of Troubleshooting - Lori, 2012, P. 386

4. Brannik A.T. Vending machines: Vending without secrets - Single issue, 2004, P. 192.