PURPOSE: To efficiently control many automatic vending machines by collecting the data at a prescribed time interval through automatic outgoing and incoming MODEMs from plural data aggregating machines for collecting and saving the data of plural sets of automatic vending machines at a prescribed time interval, and counting up and controlling these data.

CONSTITUTION: Data annexed to each automatic vending machine 1 which has been outputted from a terminal data output machine 2 is collected and saved momentarily in a data aggregating machine 6 installed in every dealer. Also, this data is collected at a prescribed time interval through a public telephone line 7 by automatic outgoing and incoming MODEMs 20, 21, based on a request of a host computer 9 which has been installed in an operation center of a central sales office. In such a way, the data which have been collected are counted up and processed by the computer 9, and bases on its result, each automatic vending machine 1 is controlled. Accordingly, many automatic vending machines 1 which have been dispersed and placed in each area can be controlled efficiently.