Definition of terms

VMC ( Vending Machine Controller )

The brain of the vending machine.
It is a electronic board that controls:

• Product dispensing

• Payment system

• Sensors

• Temperature control (for refrigerated machines)

Example:
When a customer pays, the VMC verifies payment → checks product availability → sends signal for motor to rotate.

Tray

A removable shelf inside the vending machine where products are placed.

• Each machine usually has 6 Trays

• Every tray has 10 selections

• We can customize your tray to fit the products you want to sell. This can be 6 selections if cup noodles, or 7,8 or 9.

Tray Configuration

How the products are arranged on each tray.

Examples of configurations:

• Snack tray: spiral coils for chips, cookies

• Drink tray: columns and pushers for bottles/cans

• Mixed tray: coils + pushers

Selection / Product Selection

A single product position inside the machine, identified by a letter + number

ex:

Tray 1, Selection 5 ( This means 1st tray from the top and the 5th selection on the tray.

• Each selection has its own motor.

• Each selection dispenses one type of product.

Example:
A1 Selection = Lays
B2 Selection = KitKat
C5 Selection = Coca-Cola

Vend Motor / Spiral Motor

A small motor that rotates the coil to push the snack forward.

• Controlled by the VMC

• One motor per selection

Spiral

The metal coil that holds and pushes products when the motor turns.

• Wide coil: for big chips

• Narrow coil: for candy bars

Delivery Bin / Product Pick up

The bottom area where the dispensed product drops and is collected.

This is where it says PUSH.

Drop Sensor / Guaranteed Vend System

A sensor that detects whether a product actually fell into the delivery bin.

If nothing drops, the machine:

• Tries again

• Or gives a refund

• there is two sensors where the product falls in all our units

MDB ( Multi Drop Bus )

The standard communication protocol used by:

• Card readers

• Coin mechanisms

• Bill validators

• Cashless devices

Ensures all devices can communicate with the VMC.

Coin Mechanism / Coin Acceptor / Coin Payment System

Accepts, identifies, and stores coins.

Features:

• Validates coin authenticity

• Returns change

• Talks to the VMC

We are currently using the MEI CPI coin acceptor, which has the capacity to accept ₱20 coins and also dispense change. Other suppliers don’t offer this feature.

Bill Validator / Bill Payment System

Accepts paper money (notes) and sends credit to the machine.

Our machines uses two suppliers

ITL from UK. It can change one notes, either 20 or 50. This has a lot of problems, once a week at least. We don't use this anymore.

Our Current supplier is ICT TAO from Taiwan. This unit also has keys.

Cashless Reader / Payment Terminal

Allows customers to pay using:

• Credit/Debit cards

• Mobile wallet (Gcash, Paymaya)

Our current supplier is Nayax, an international brand. However, they do not have a branch in the Philippines. Their units are managed locally by a payment gateway company called 2C2P. So far, this unit is the most compatible with our software system.

There are other possible units available, but we have not tested them on our machines yet, so we cannot guarantee their reliability. They are a cheaper option but would be used at your own risk.

Vending Operator

The person or company who:

• Refills products

• Maintains the machine

• Collects money

• Troubleshoots issues

This is the owner of the Vending Machine. This is you.

Vending Supplier / Distributor

This is us, Vending Machine ph by Itadish.

Location Owner / Host

The business or property where the vending machine is placed.

Examples:

• Hotel

• Gym

• Office

• School

They usually receive:

• Free machine placement

• or

• Commission percentage

Capacity

How many total products the machine can hold.

Example:

• Snack machine: 250–450 products

• Drink machine: 200–300 bottles/cans

Planogram

A visual map showing product placement in the machine.

Helps operators know:

• What product goes where

• How many pieces per selection

Cooling System

Refrigeration parts that cool beverages.

Parts include:

• Compressor

• Condenser

• Evaporator

• Thermostat

Cloud System

A remote monitoring device that you can access by phone or laptop.

• Sales data

• Stock levels

• Machine errors
  to your phone or dashboard.

Cabinet

The metal housing of the machine.
Includes:

• Front door

• Side panels

• Locking system

Vending Machine Wrap

A vending machine wrap is a large printed vinyl sticker that covers the entire exterior surface of a vending machine — front, sides, and sometimes the back.
It is used for:

• Branding

• Advertising

• Making the machine look newer

• Matching a theme (snacks, drinks, cute characters, etc.)