one or more media types e g wire radio frequency rf or infrared ir the dispenser status and monitored values are converted to digital form and the data is transmitted via the network additionally configuration parameters for the operation of the dispenser can be received via the network a collection of dispensers communicates over this network to a master network device e g 136 in fig2 that acts as the server for the local network the master device interprets the data and manipulates it for rebroadcast to a separate and independent building automation network the master device thus acts as a gateway between the local dispenser network and any other network protocol the master device can also broadcast to a handheld computing device using the same or different network media type fig2 systematically illustrates one embodiment of a layout of the electronic dispenser network 100 for automatic monitoring and dispensing in an exemplary network embodiment this layout exemplifies a simple installation scenario although other more complex arrangements and combinations are possible and within the scope of the invention the electronic dispenser network 100 is a collection and combination of the electronic dispensers 130 135 master network device 136 and handheld device 137 this collection of electronic dispensers 130 135 and master network device 136 forms.