A system including a network of article or service dispensing devices connected for two way communication with a central hub in which article or service selection requests are received from user’s smart devices or from input units at the dispensing devices, dispensing devices suitable for use in the system, and a method of controlling transactions using the system. Capabilities include transmission of inventory and operational status information from the dispensing devices, verification that legal and commercial requirements for the desired transaction are met, providing information to tax authorities, and providing information to owners of or those maintaining the system on which to base stocking decisions, and to owners of brands available in dispensing devices from which targeted promotional materials can be selected, and delivered to a user while a transaction is in progress. Fig. 1a
