Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling and communicating with a multi-drop bus (MDB)-compatible vending machine. A system includes a selection module for selecting an item from an MDB-compatible vending machine using a digital panel display, such as a touch screen or a display of a remote portable device. The system includes control and monitoring modules. The selection module communicates with the vending machine without requiring direct access to a manufacturer's proprietary vending machine controller (VMC) via a communication system interpreting MDB protocol information from the VMC to a computing device in order to display change system and machine status information during the purchase process, as well as providing technical access to an operator and data collection to the vendor. In another embodiment, a method confirms a digital purchase order for a selected item and forwards the purchase order to a VMC. The method confirms and communicates item delivery status.