What is a CCI Protocol
Nayax CCI support lets you use Nayax cashless readers without an MDB converter. Using the CCI (Coffee Credit Interface) over RS232, readers connect directly to OCS coffee machines for a simpler setup.
General
What is the CCI Protocol?
CCI (Coffee Credit Interface) is the communication protocol that lets Nayax cashless payment readers connect directly to office coffee machines over RS232, without an MDB converter. This article explains what CCI is, which machines use it, how the protocol levels work, and what hardware you need.
Before You Start
This article is for distributors and operators setting up cashless payments on Office Coffee Service (OCS) machines. Before reading further, confirm the following:
- Your coffee machine is an Office Coffee Services (OCS) machine - not a residential or outdoor vending machine.
- Your coffee machine has an RS232 female port to accept Nayax's dedicated CCI cable.
- You have access to Nayax Core to configure device attributes.
The Three Coffee Machine Types
Understanding which machine type you have determines which protocol and which Nayax solution applies.
| Machine Type | Location | Protocol | Nayax Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Coffee Machine | Home / household | None | Not supported |
| Office Coffee Services (OCS) | Offices, local businesses | CCI | ✓ Supported - this article |
| Coffee Vending Machine | Outdoor / public locations | MDB | Supported via standard MDB setup |
What is the CCI Protocol?
CCI is a communication standard that allows a coffee machine to talk directly to an external payment peripheral — such as a Nayax cashless reader — over an RS232 serial cable. It eliminates the need for an MDB converter, which older payment setups required.
Key characteristics of the CCI protocol:
- Master-slave architecture: The coffee machine is the Master; the Nayax device is the Slave.
- RS232 serial connection: Machine and device connect via Nayax's dedicated RS232 cable (Part No. C150008).
- Supported cashless payment types: Contact (EMV chip) and contactless (EMV Cless). Magstripe is not supported at this time.
- Prepaid support: Employers can subsidise employee purchases using Nayax Prepaid cards, while other visitors pay with standard bank cards or digital apps.
CCI Levels Explained
CCI has three implementation levels. The level determines how product prices are communicated between the coffee machine and the Nayax device.
| Level | How Prices Work | Price Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Level 1 | Prices are set in Nayax Core and pushed to the machine during initialisation (startup). | Nayax Core product map | Recommended for most operators |
| CCI Level 3 | Prices are set on the coffee machine itself. On purchase, the machine sends the price to the Nayax server. | Coffee machine | A Level 3 machine can also use Level 1 commands |
| CCI Level 4 | Extension of functionality between Nayax and a specific machine manufacturer. Most commonly used to send machine alerts. | Custom / per-manufacturer | Implemented per specific needs only |
CCI vs. MDB - Key Differences
If you have previously configured MDB devices, be aware of these important differences when working with CCI.
| Behaviour | MDB | CCI |
|---|---|---|
| Dispense confirmation | The machine notifies the device when the product is dispensed. | The machine does not notify the device. Dispense is assumed after payment. |
| Pre-selection mode | Optional | Required - Nayax device must be set to Pre-Selection mode. |
| Transaction Start Method | Various options | Must be set to Product. |
| DEX data | Supported | Not supported |
| Machine alerts | Part of the protocol | Not part of CCI by default. Available via Level 4 per manufacturer. |
Cables & Connectors
CCI uses a dedicated cable. Order Part Number C150008 - compatible with VPOS Touch, Onyx, and Fusion devices. The cable has five connectors, three of which are mandatory for every installation.
40-pin connector - white multi-pin plug on yellow cable
RS232 DB9 male connector on yellow cable
Power cable DC connector on yellow cable
Ethernet adaptor on yellow cable
External reader port connector on yellow cable
External power supply unit (black, mains cable)
Full Nayax CCI cable (C150008) - yellow cable with all connectors labelled
Key Limitations to Know
Troubleshooting
FAQ
FAQ
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