In the last few years, vending applications in several industries have been implemented which require some form of networked monitoring and control. These industries include mass transit, parking, and merchandise vending. Several of these applications have also required electronic payment support. VEI addresses the requirements of these systems.

The VEI specification allows these networked vending applications to be based on an open, non-proprietary standard. This standard protects the investment each customer makes in these systems. In the past, each equipment manufacturer supported a different set of communications protocols and messages. These proprietary protocols and messages were incompatible with the protocols and messages of other manufacturers. This situation made equipment additions to existing systems difficult, resulting in high support costs, and high costs for replacement equipment. The VEI specification establishes a common interface that can be used by all manufacturers and users of networked vending systems.

The VEI specification was developed based on several existing standards. It is broad enough to encompass networked applications for all types of vending, and all types of technology used for data communications. Extensive testing has been conducted to ensure that all likely types of applications can be supported efficiently with the use of this standard. In addition, the VEI specification calls out the mechanisms for documenting specific implementations.