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NAMA Publishes Updated Multi-Drop Bus Standard Version 43

CHICAGO -- Now available from the National Automatic Merchandising Association is the latest revision to the Multi-Drop Bus internal communications protocol. Developed three decades ago, MDB was published as an open standard by NAMA in 1995. It is supported by the European Vending & Coffee Service Association and its European Vending Machine Manufacturers Association. NAMA reports that its Vending Data Interface Task Force chair, Chris Lilly, Compass Group USA, this spring appointed an ad hoc...

August 26, 2019 by Tim Sanford

CHICAGO -- Now available from the National Automatic Merchandising Association is the latest revision to the Multi-Drop Bus internal communications protocol. Developed three decades ago, MDB was published as an open standard by NAMA in 1995. It is supported by the European Vending & Coffee Service Association and its European Vending Machine Manufacturers Association.

NAMA reports that its Vending Data Interface Task Force chair, Chris Lilly, Compass Group USA, this spring appointed an ad hoc technical standards committee to implement revisions to MDB Version 4.2. This working group was headed by Bob Ross, Ellenby Technologies Inc., with special assistance from Scott Hudis of Fawn Engineering Corp. and Joe Simpkins, USA Technologies Inc. Fifteen NAMA members volunteered to participate in developing the latest update; substantial contributions also were made by the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) with guidance from Vladimir Lopatin of Uvenco Group).

"As VDI coordinator, I applaud the fine work of this committee under the skillful leadership of Chris Lilly, Bob Ross, and Vladimir Lopatin," said Michael Kasavana, Ph.D., NAMA Endowed Professor Emeritus. "Committee members provided valuable input that impacts our industry tremendously. MDB Version 4.3 allows for a comprehensive treatment of cashless transactions across convenience services. The MDB standard has a long history of quality and reliability, and MDB Version 4.3 is built on the same proven principles," Dr. Kasavana concluded.

The previous MDB, 4.2, was published eight years ago. MDB Version 4.3 is available for download as a PDF file at the NAMA website.

The association observed that it's important to note that, compared to the earlier version, MDB Version 4.3 revisions only appear in "Section 7 -- Cashless Devices." The revised Section 7 is color-coded to help clarify the changes. All other sections of MDB Version 4.3 remain identical to those of MDB 4.2.

About Tim Sanford

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Tim Sanford is the retired, long-time editor of Vending Times.

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