System for Monitoring a Vending Machine

A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver. The server configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to a subset of the plurality mobile device to induce the mobile device to be transported to within the first distance from the vending machine.