Executive Protocol, also known as EXE, Exec or Protocol A, is one of the classic communication standards used between vending machines and payment systems. It is especially well known in Europe and is still commonly found in older vending machines, particularly in markets such as Italy, France and Spain.
What Is Executive Protocol?
Executive Protocol is a vending machine communication protocol used to connect the vending machine controller with payment devices such as coin mechanisms, change givers and payment controllers. It was originally developed as a proprietary protocol by Mars Electronics International, also known as MEI, and became widely adopted in the vending industry.
In many vending machine installations, Executive Protocol is used to manage payment credit, product pricing, vend authorisation and communication between the vending machine and the payment system.
Simple explanation: Executive Protocol is the communication language used by some vending machines and payment systems to decide when enough money has been inserted and whether the machine should allow a product to be dispensed.
Common Names for Executive Protocol
Depending on the machine manufacturer, payment system supplier or technical manual, Executive Protocol may be referred to using different names.
The full name commonly used in vending machine manuals and payment system documentation.
EXE / Exec
Short form used by many vending technicians and machine suppliers.
Protocol A
An alternative technical name often associated with MEI / Mars payment system documentation.
Why Executive Protocol Is Important
Executive Protocol remains important because many vending machines in Europe were designed around this payment interface. While newer machines often use MDB, there are still many machines in the field that continue to use Executive Protocol.
This is especially relevant when upgrading an older vending machine with modern payment systems such as cashless card readers, QR payment terminals, telemetry devices or remote monitoring systems.
- It is widely used in older European vending machines.
- It is commonly associated with Italian vending machines.
- It is often found in machines using older coin mechanisms or payment controllers.
- It may require an adapter when connecting to modern MDB-based cashless systems.
- It is useful to understand when repairing, retrofitting or upgrading vending machines.
Executive Protocol in Europe and Italy
Executive Protocol is commonly found in European vending machines, especially in countries such as Italy, France and Spain. In the Italian vending industry, Executive Protocol has historically been very popular, and many technicians consider it one of the dominant protocols used in older Italian vending machines.
Industry observation: It is often said within the vending industry that a very high percentage of Italian vending machines use Executive Protocol, with some estimates claiming around 90%. The exact percentage can vary depending on machine age, manufacturer, location and whether the machine has been upgraded to MDB or cashless payment systems.
For this reason, anyone working with Italian vending machines, imported European machines or older coffee and snack vending machines may need to understand Executive Protocol.
Executive Protocol vs MDB
Executive Protocol and MDB are both vending machine payment communication protocols, but they are not the same. MDB is now more common in modern vending machines, while Executive Protocol is more commonly associated with older European vending systems.
| Feature | Executive Protocol | MDB Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Common Name | Executive, EXE, Exec, Protocol A | MDB, Multi-Drop Bus |
| Typical Usage | Older vending machines, especially in Europe | Modern vending machines worldwide |
| Common Region | Europe, especially Italy, France and Spain | Global vending market |
| Payment System Role | The payment system has a strong role in controlling vend credit and permission | The vending machine controller usually acts as the main controller and polls MDB devices |
| Cashless Upgrade | May require an Executive-to-MDB adapter or compatible cashless device | Usually easier to connect to modern card readers, QR payment terminals and telemetry systems |
| Best For | Maintaining or upgrading older European vending machines | New vending machine designs and modern cashless payment integration |
Is Executive Protocol Open Source?
Executive Protocol was originally created as a proprietary vending machine protocol. Over time, as the protocol became widely used and many older machines remained in service, information about the protocol became more accessible to technicians, payment system suppliers and vending machine developers.
Today, Executive Protocol is often treated as an open or publicly documented legacy protocol in practical vending machine work. This makes it possible for repairers, retrofitters and equipment developers to support older machines that still rely on Executive communication.
Important note: “Open source” and “open protocol” are not always the same thing. Executive Protocol is better described as a widely documented legacy vending protocol rather than software source code. When developing commercial equipment, always check the actual protocol specification, electrical interface and any relevant compliance requirements.
MDB to Executive Protocol Converter
One common challenge is connecting modern MDB-based payment devices to older vending machines that use Executive Protocol. In this situation, an MDB to Executive Protocol converter can be used as an interface between the modern payment system and the older machine.
A converter board may translate communication between MDB and Executive Protocol, allowing the vending machine to work with newer cashless payment terminals, card readers, QR payment systems or telemetry devices.
- Connects modern MDB payment devices to older Executive vending machines.
- Translates payment credit and vend authorisation signals.
- Helps extend the useful life of older European vending machines.
- Allows upgrade paths for cashless payment and remote monitoring.
- Can be useful for vending machine retrofit and repair projects.
When Do You Need Executive Protocol?
You may need Executive Protocol knowledge when working with vending machines that do not support MDB directly, or when the existing payment system is based on Executive communication.
Common situations include:
- Replacing an old coin mechanism in a European vending machine.
- Adding a cashless payment terminal to an older machine.
- Repairing an Italian coffee, snack or drink vending machine.
- Connecting a telemetry system to a vending machine using Executive Protocol.
- Building an adapter between Executive Protocol and MDB.
- Developing a custom payment controller for older vending machines.
Executive Protocol Adapter and Upgrade Considerations
Many modern cashless payment devices are designed around MDB because MDB is widely supported in newer vending machines. If the vending machine only supports Executive Protocol, an adapter may be required.
The adapter may perform one of the following functions:
- Convert Executive Protocol to MDB.
- Allow an MDB cashless reader to work with an Executive vending machine.
- Translate payment credit and vend commands between the two systems.
- Provide compatibility between old vending machines and modern payment terminals.
Practical recommendation: For a new vending machine project, MDB is usually the better starting point. For supporting older European vending machines, Executive Protocol support can be added as a compatibility feature or through a dedicated adapter.
Technical Points to Check
Before connecting to an Executive Protocol vending machine, it is important to check the machine manual and payment system documentation. Different machines and payment systems may have different wiring, connector pinouts and configuration options.
- Connector type and pinout
- Voltage level and power supply requirement
- Executive / EXE mode setting in the vending machine
- Payment system compatibility
- Vend price configuration
- Credit handling and vend authorisation behaviour
- Whether the machine supports MDB, Executive, BDV or multiple protocols
Summary
Executive Protocol is an important legacy vending machine communication standard. It is especially relevant in Europe and is commonly associated with Italian vending machines. Although MDB is now more common in modern vending machine designs, Executive Protocol is still important for servicing, upgrading and integrating payment systems with older machines.
For businesses working with vending machine payment systems, understanding Executive Protocol can help when upgrading old machines, adding cashless payment, troubleshooting coin mechanisms or designing protocol adapters.
Need Help with Vending Machine Payment Integration?
PIC-CONTROL can help with vending machine interface projects, including MDB, Executive Protocol, coin mechanisms, cashless readers, protocol converters and custom payment interface hardware.