Various embodiments of this invention are directed towards the communication infrastructure of an automated inventory system, on which the necessary communication between a dispensing unit and an administrative unit of the system occurs. To facilitate the integration of the automated inventory system into the client's computer network, the infrastructure is preferably implemented using hypertext transfer protocol (http) or its secured counterpart (https). In certain embodiments the administrative unit is located external to the client's network, beyond the client's firewall. In these embodiments it is preferable to have the dispensing unit initiate communication with the administrative units because the firewall is typically setup to reject external connection requests.