DEX (protocol)

DEX (data exchange) is a format for collecting audit and event data from vending machines.

DEX was introduced in the late 1980s by bottlers who provided product to vending machines. It was intended to improve auditing of vending machines, simplify inventory management. DEX records cash in/out, product movement and other audit data. The format was adopted as a standard by the National Automatic Merchandising Association Technology Committee after it was already in use by bottlers. It was included in NAMA VDI version 1.0, announced in 2009.