An intelligent communicating supply storage unit is provided, tailored to storing one or more replaceable components for one or more supply-consuming devices. The storage unit may provide capabilities: (a) to sense a presence or absence of replaceable components for associated devices, which may include determining that the correct components are available, and to monitor a status of an internal characteristic of a stored replaceable component by accessing information stored on an externally readable component monitoring module attached to the stored replaceable component; (b) to maintain an updated inventory of the status of supplies on hand to include introduction of supplies into the storage unit for storage, and removal of supplies from the storage unit for use of disposal; and/or (c) to communicate storage unit supply status or inventory from the storage unit to an external source such as, for example, a supply providing organization.