Inside newer vending machine there is a Dex Plug.  What kind of data
does this output?  Can a unit be constantly plugged into this port to
receive information about sales, product inventory, and cash
inventory?

Thanks for asking!

From Audit Systems Company:

"What Is DEX?

The vending market is in a growth stage, but a tight labor market has
made it difficult for vending operators to find competent and honest
route personnel. The subsequent need for an indisputable accounting
method of actual cash collections, units sold, and price of product
was not possible until the advent of DEX/UCS. DEX/UCS or DEX is the
NAMA standard for electronically retrievable audit data. DEX specifies
a data format to enable all different types of machines and machine
models to communicate electronically in a similar manner. The DEX
information available includes: sales, cash collections, product
movement and other vending machine activities.

How do I get the DEX data out of the machine and into my software?

DEX data in an EASY1 or in a DEX-equipped machine can be retrieved
with the handheld ASC PocketProbe or with any other DEX-compatible
unit (check out our partners). The PocketProbe features a simple
one-plug connection to the DEX port, and a one-button control. It
reads the data from a machine in less than 5 seconds!

Data from all your route stops is collected and down-loaded daily from
the PocketProbe into your central office computer with the same
one-plug connection and one-button operation. From here, your office
personnel can analize the data to your specifications."

Audit Systems Company
Frequently Asked Question about DEX
http://www.auditsystems.com/dexinfo.htm


At least one company appears to offer remote, wireless systems that
allow continuous download of data from remote locations.

Remote Vend Data, Inc.
Allen Weintraub 
33 West Main Street 
Elmsford, NY 10523 
Tel:   (914) 347-8725 
Fax:  (914) 347-8728
aweintraub@vendonline.com
http://www.vendonline.com/

How it Works
http://www.vendonline.com/howworks.html


Additional DEX Compatible Vending Management System software
providers:

CompuVend USA
http://www.compuvend.com/

mie/Easytrax
http://www.meieasitrax.com/b02.htm

Streamware Corporation
http://www.streamware.com

Vendscape
http://www.vendscape.com/

Vendmaster Software
http://www.vendmaster.com/softwaresolutionsPage.htm

Search Terms:
vending machine dex plug
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=vending+machine+dex+plug

I hope you find this information helpful. Should you have any
questions, please feel free to ask.

- larre -