Cashless payment

Cashless payment refers to paying at vending machines using electronic means of payment. These include debit and credit cards, mobile payment services via smartphone and closed payment systems such as employee ID cards.

Function and area of use

The system consists of a card reader on the vending machine and a secure gateway in the background that authorises the transaction. Modern cashless terminals use NFC (near field communication) technology to transmit data contactlessly within milliseconds. As soon as the customer holds their card or phone to the reader, the payment is sent encrypted to the payment service provider.

Cashless payment is now standard at almost all locations: from the modern coffee machine in the office to the snack vending machine at the railway station. Cashless payment is indispensable, especially at locations with an international audience or high product prices (e.g. technology vending machines), as it massively lowers the threshold to buy.

Cashless payment also gives the operator detailed reporting. Every transaction is recorded digitally, which simplifies accounting and eliminates the risk of cash theft or vandalism at the Coin validator .

Advantages

• Maximum security: no physical cash in the vending machine
• Support for all common providers: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay
• Simplified accounting through digital transaction lists
• Faster sales process and shorter queues
• Contactless payment meets the highest hygiene standards
• Ideal for telemetry connections and real-time revenue control

Technical details

Cashless modules are usually connected to the vending machine control system via the MDB interface (multi-drop bus). They have an encrypted radio module (4G/LTE) for live authorisation. The terminals are PCI DSS certified and offer IP65 protection against dust and water for outdoor use.

Frequently asked questions

How high are the fees for cashless payment?

There is usually a small monthly basic fee and a transaction-based fee (approx. 1–2%), which is usually offset immediately by the additional revenue.

Does the vending machine need an internet connection for this?

Yes. Most terminals are supplied with an integrated SIM card, so no local Wi-Fi or LAN connection is needed on site.

Related terms

• IoT vending machine
• Telemetry system
• Coin validator
• NFC payment

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