Case study
Vending Platform — remote fleet management for vending machines
We built a management platform for a fleet of gift-dispensing vending machines triggered by QR codes: an admin panel connected to an Android app running directly on each machine, talking to the machine controller over serial RS protocol — giving the operator remote visibility without on-site visits.
The problem
The operator could only check machines on site. There was no remote visibility into stock levels, errors, or dispense activity — problems were typically discovered only after customers complained.
What we built
- 01Admin panel — status, stock, and activity across the entire machine fleet in one view
- 02On-device Android app — runs on every machine, reads the QR scanner, talks to the controller over RS protocol, and syncs state to the cloud
- 03Containerised backend — Docker deployment for reliable fleet-wide updates
- 04Remote alerts — low stock and faults appear in the dashboard without visiting the machine
Comparison: Vending Platform & Fleet Dashboard
Transitioning from an isolated offline machine to a connected Android app and central cloud dashboard.
- ✓Native Android app communicating directly with dispenser controller over RS port
- ✓Central web dashboard — live inventory tracking and instant fleet error alerts
- ✓Resilient offline buffer — zero missed dispensing events during network outages
Technical detailShow technical details
The on-device application connects the machine’s proprietary RS protocol to a REST synchronization layer and manages QR-triggered dispensing. It verifies scans, triggers dispensing and buffers events locally to reduce the risk of losing information during connection interruptions.
Result
Inventory and machine status are visible remotely, so the operator resolves issues before a machine empties or a customer complains.
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