JP2005327097A - Remote management device and remote management program for office equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set items to be collected from a digital multi-function peripheral, and to easily set only necessary data from the digital multi-function peripheral and not to collect unnecessary data. As a result, the center server can efficiently collect only necessary data from the digital multifunction peripheral, and the network load due to data communication can be reduced.
When a person who has authority to set data items collected from a digital multifunction peripheral logs in, the center server provides a selection screen for selecting items of data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral (S14). The information indicating the data item selected on the selection screen is received (S15), and the data item is set as the data item to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral (S16).
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote management apparatus that collects and manages data from office equipment via a network, a remote management program used for remote management of office equipment, and the like.

  Conventionally, the operation and maintenance of office equipment such as digital multifunction peripherals is costly and troublesome, and requires specialized knowledge. For this reason, in office devices such as conventional digital multifunction devices, service companies (operation management companies and dealers) often provide services such as maintenance according to the status of office devices and billing according to usage results. . In such a system, it is necessary for an operation management company or a dealer to grasp the state and usage of office equipment. In recent years, a system has also been proposed in which various items of data indicating the state of office equipment, usage status, and the like are remotely monitored by a server device on a network such as the Internet. The printer and the agent device are connected by a local area network that is an intranet, and this local area network and the integrated management device are connected via a global network that is the Internet to integrate multiple (many) printers at remote locations. A system for monitoring by a management device is disclosed.

In a system for monitoring office equipment as described above using a remote server device, the server device provides services such as maintenance according to the state of the office equipment and billing according to the usage record of the office equipment. Various data are collected from the device (Patent Document 1).
JP 11-353145 A

  However, in the system as described above, a server device often manages a plurality of printers. In particular, in a system in which server apparatuses installed on the Internet monitor printers and copiers installed in various places, the server apparatus collects and monitors various items of data from a large number of printers and copiers. It is like that. When many items of data are collected from many devices such as printers and copiers, a large amount of data is transmitted and received via the network, which causes a problem that a great load is imposed on the network. Further, when many items of data are transmitted from a device such as a printer or a copying machine to the server device, there is a problem that the load on the server device increases and the load on the device such as the printer or the copying machine increases.

  The present invention solves the problems as described above, and provides a remote management apparatus and a remote management program for office equipment that can efficiently collect data collected from office equipment via a network. Objective.

  The remote management device for office equipment according to the present invention is for remotely managing office equipment, providing means for providing a selection screen for selecting items of data to be collected from the office equipment to be managed, and provided by the providing means A storage means for storing an item of data selected on the selection screen as an item of data to be collected from the office equipment, and a selection based on the item of data to be collected from the office equipment stored in the storage means And a collecting means for collecting data from the office equipment.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote management apparatus and a remote management program for office equipment that can efficiently collect data collected from office equipment via a network.

Hereinafter, the best mode for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote management system for office equipment including a remote management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the remote management system for office equipment includes a local area network (LAN) 1 including office equipment to be managed, the Internet 2, an operation management company PC 3, a dealer PC 4, and the like. Yes.

  The local area network 1 is a user-side local area network that uses a digital multi-function peripheral as office equipment, and is connected to the Internet 2 via a firewall 16. The local area network 1 includes a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP 1) 12 as office equipment to be managed, a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP 2) 13 as office equipment to be managed, a controller 14 for the MFP 2, and an administrator PC 15. And a firewall 16 are connected.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 12 and the digital multi-function peripheral 13 are office devices that are present in the local area network 1 and are targets of remote monitoring. The digital multifunction machine 12 is, for example, an office machine equipped with a scanner, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a network interface. The digital multifunction device 12 has a network communication function by a network interface (not shown), transmits / receives data to / from each device in the local area network 1, and a device on the Internet 2 through the firewall 16. It has a function to send and receive data.

  The digital multifunction machine 13 is an office device including a scanner, a printer, a communication interface, and the like, for example. The digital multifunction device 13 is connected to the controller 14 via the communication interface, and has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from each device in the local area network 1 via the controller 14. The controller 14 controls data transmission / reception between the digital multi-function peripheral 13 and each device in the local area network 1 and data transmission / reception with devices on the Internet 2 through the firewall 16. To do. That is, the controller 14 is connected to, for example, a digital multifunction machine 13 that does not have a network communication function. Accordingly, a combination of the digital multifunction machine 13 and the controller 14 functions as an office device having the network communication function as described above.

  The digital multi-function peripherals 12 and 13 have storage means (not shown) for storing data indicating the operating status. The digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 have a counter (not shown) for counting, for example, the number of copies, the number of prints, the number of facsimile transmissions, etc., and the total number of prints counted by the counter is stored in the storage means. Count values (counter information) such as (total counter) and the number of times (job counter) for each process are stored. The storage means stores adjustment data, setting data, FAX setting data, ROM version data, and the like. Further, the storage means stores log information indicating the error content generated when an error occurs.

  Further, the office device comprising the digital multifunction device 12 or the combination of the digital multifunction device 13 and the controller 14 transmits the data recorded in the storage means to the center server 21 based on the communication setting. It has a function. For example, in the communication setting, data is transmitted from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 to the center server 21 at a predetermined communication interval. Further, data to be transmitted from the digital multifunction machine 12 or the digital multifunction machine 13 to the center server 21 is selected based on the data items to be collected set in the center server 21.

  The administrator PC 15 is a computer used by an administrator who manages the entire local area network 1 or an administrator who manages each office device such as the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 in the local area network 1. The administrator PC 15 includes a device main body 15a having a CPU, various storage devices, and a network interface, a display unit 15b, an operation unit 15c, and the like.

  The firewall 16 prevents unauthorized access to the local area network 1 from the Internet 2 and transmission of unauthorized data from the local area network 1 to the Internet 2.

  The Internet 2 is a wide area network outside the local area network 1. On the Internet 2, a center server 21 as an external device is installed. The center server 21 functions as a remote management device for the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 as office equipment, and transmits and receives data between the digital multifunction peripheral 12 or the digital multifunction peripheral 13 and the controller 14 via the firewall 16. Has the function to perform.

  Further, the center server 21 is accessed (logged in) by the PC 3 of the operation management company or the PC 4 of the dealer using, for example, a Web browser. In order to ensure security in communication between the center server 21 and each device in the local area network 1 and communication between the center server 21 and the PC 3 of the operation management company and the PC 4 of the dealer, an SLL or the like is used. Encryption is used.

  The center server 21 receives data collected from a digital multi-function peripheral as office equipment in the local area network 1, and stores the received data in a storage device (not shown) for management. For example, in the center server 21, as data indicating the operation status of each digital multi-function peripheral in the local area network 1, log data indicating counter data (number of copies, number of prints, number of facsimile transmissions) and error contents when an error occurs. Receive and manage information.

  Here, the data indicating the status and usage status of office equipment such as digital multifunction peripherals includes billing data for calculating usage fees according to the usage results of office equipment, office equipment such as malfunctions and upgrades of control programs, etc. This data is used as maintenance data for providing technical support according to the state, or maintenance data for carrying out maintenance (replenishment or replacement of consumables) of office equipment.

  The PC 3 of the operation management company is, for example, a computer provided in a company that maintains and manages digital multifunction peripherals as office equipment in the local area network 1. In addition, the PC 4 of the store is provided in a store that charges the user for the usage fee calculation process according to the usage record of the digital multifunction peripheral as the office device in the local area network 1 and the calculated usage fee, for example. Computer.

  The function management company PC 3 and the dealer PC 4 access the center server 21 through, for example, a Web browser and refer to data collected from each digital multi-function peripheral as office equipment stored in the center server 21. have. For example, in the operation management company or the sales store, the data stored in the center server 21 is referred to by the PC 3 of the operation management company and the PC 4 of the sales store and used for each digital multi-function peripheral in the local area network 1. Charge calculation, maintenance management, and maintenance are performed.

  In the present embodiment, the center server 21 installed on the Internet 2 connected to the local area network 1 via the firewall 16 or the like is connected to the digital multifunction machine 12 as office equipment in the local area network 1. A system that manages (monitors) 13 will be described. The server device corresponding to the center server 21 installed in the local area network 1 manages (monitors) the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 in the local area network 1. Even if it exists, it can carry out similarly. In this case, a selection screen for data items collected from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 as will be described later is provided by a server device in the local area network, and data items collected from the digital multifunction peripheral by the server device. Should be set.

Next, the configuration of the center server 21 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the center server 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the center server 21 includes a control unit (CPU) 51, a read only memory (ROM) 52, a random access memory (RAM) 53, a hard disk drive (HDD) 54, and a network interface (I / F). ) 55 and the like.

  The CPU 51 controls the entire center server 21 and implements various functions according to various control programs. The ROM 52 stores a control program for performing basic operations of the center server 21 and the like. The RAM 53 is a memory for storing work data. The network interface 55 is an interface for performing data communication with each device in the local area network 1 or with a device such as the operation management company PC 3 or the dealer PC 4 via the firewall 16.

  The HDD 54 is a storage device and stores various information. The application program, the collected data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral as each office device, setting information, and the like are stored. For example, programs for realizing various functions for carrying out the present embodiment are stored in the program storage area 54 a of the HDD 54. Further, the collected data collected from each digital multi-function peripheral as office equipment in the local area network 1 is stored in the collected data storage area 54b. Further, communication setting information for each digital multifunction machine 12 and 13 is stored in the setting information storage area 54c.

Next, the flow of communication processing between the center server 21 and the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 as office equipment in this network system will be schematically described.
First, the center server 21 on the Internet 2 stores (registers) information (setting information) related to the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 as office equipment to be remotely managed in the setting information storage area 54c of the HDD 54. deep. In the center server 21 storing the setting information of the digital multifunction peripheral, the communication content between the center server 21 and the digital multifunction peripheral is set as the communication setting as the setting information of the digital multifunction peripheral. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the center server 21 periodically communicates with a digital multifunction peripheral that is a target of remote management and collects data of preset items from the digital multifunction peripheral.

  Accordingly, in the center server 21, as communication settings with the digital multifunction peripheral as the office device, basic communication settings as well as regular communication intervals and items of data to be collected from the digital multifunction peripheral are set. . Such communication settings are stored (set) in the setting information storage area 54c of the HDD 54 together with information related to the digital multi-function peripheral.

  The center server 21 collects data of items set every time the regular communication time set based on the communication settings as described above is reached from the digital multi-function peripheral. At this time, for communication between the center server 21 and the digital multifunction peripheral, communication with the center server 21 may be started from the digital multifunction peripheral, or communication with the digital multifunction peripheral may be started from the center server 21. May be.

  In this embodiment, since communication is performed via the firewall 16 for security protection in the local area network, communication with the center server 21 is started from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13. For example, when the center server 21 installed in the local area network collects data from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13, the center server 21 sends a data transmission request to the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13, Data may be transmitted from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 to the center server 21 in response to the transmission request.

  Next, setting of items of data collected by the center server 21 from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13 as office equipment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a selection screen for selecting items of data collected from the digital multifunction peripherals 12 and 13. A selection screen for selecting items of data to be collected from the digital multifunction peripheral as shown in FIG. 3 is provided by the center server 21 by the providing means. Here, it is assumed that an operator of an operation management company or a store designates (selects) data items to be collected from the digital multifunction peripheral on a selection screen as shown in FIG.

  In the example of the selection screen shown in FIG. 3, the items of data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral are classified into basic data and option data. Basic data is an item of basic data to be collected from a digital multi-function peripheral, and usually all items are set. For example, the basic data is data (billing data) for calculating a usage fee, and all items are provided when a service is provided for charging according to the usage status (number of prints, etc.) of the digital MFP. Selected.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the basic data, a digital multi-function peripheral total counter (total number of prints) and job counter (number of executed jobs) can be selected as billing data for calculating the usage fee. . The total counter is the total number of prints in the digital multifunction peripheral, and the job counter is the number of jobs executed by the digital multifunction peripheral.

  The option data is an item of data required according to the type of service to be provided, the state of the digital multi-function peripheral, and the like. For example, option data is data (maintenance data) such as setting data and control programs held by the digital multi-function peripheral. When providing a service for changing setting data or updating control programs online, When it is necessary to change setting data or update a control program for a specific digital multi-function peripheral, data items as option data are selected as necessary. Further, when providing a service for performing detailed maintenance periodically, a data item as option data is selected according to the content of the maintenance.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the option data, adjustment data, setting data, FAX setting data, ROM version, etc. of the digital multifunction peripheral can be selected as maintenance data for maintenance of the digital multifunction peripheral. The adjustment data is various adjustment data set for the digital multi-function peripheral, the setting data is various setting data set for the digital multi-function peripheral, and the FAX setting data is When the digital multi-function peripheral has a FAX function, it is setting data for the FAX function, and the ROM version is version data of the control program stored in the ROM in the digital multi-function peripheral.

  As described above, in the selection screen provided by the center server 21, the items of the data related to the billing data indicating the usage status of the digital multifunction peripheral as office equipment are classified as basic data, and the digital multifunction peripheral of the office equipment is classified. Each data item related to maintenance data for maintenance and management is classified as an option. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a selection screen that allows easy selection of items of data to be collected from office equipment and good operability.

  In the selection screen as described above, the basic data can be classified as data that changes every time the digital multifunction device is used, and the option data can be classified as data that does not fluctuate unless there is a setting change for the digital multifunction device. It is. In other words, since data that fluctuates according to the use of the digital multi-function peripheral needs to be collected and managed by the center server 21 (periodically) at all times, it is classified as basic data, and setting information and control of the digital multi-function peripheral Data that does not fluctuate on a daily basis, such as control data such as programs, is data that can be collected and managed by the center server 21 as necessary, and is classified as optional data.

  By using the selection screen as described above, all basic data is selected during normal operation, and the option data required only when changing the settings of the digital multifunction device or upgrading the control data of the control program, etc. An operation mode in which items are selected is facilitated. As a result, during the communication process in which the center server 21 collects data from the digital multi-function peripheral, unnecessary data is not collected for management, and data is efficiently transmitted without imposing a load on the center server 21 or the network. Collection processing can be performed.

Next, setting processing for setting items of data collected from the digital multi-function peripheral by the center server 21 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a setting process for setting items of data collected from the digital multi-function peripheral using the selection screen as shown in FIG. Here, a case will be described in which a selection screen for data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral 12 provided by the center server 21 is displayed on the display unit 3a of the PC 3 by an operation of an operator of an operation management company or a dealer. .

  First, the operator accesses the center server 21 through the PC 3 and transmits an operator ID, a password, and the like as login data of the operator to the center server 21. Then, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 performs a login process for the operator based on the login data received from the PC 3 (step S11).

  In this login process, the login data received from the PC 3 is collated with information relating to an administrator (who has authority to set data collected from the digital multifunction machine 12) stored in the HDD 54 in advance. As a result of this collation, if the login data matches the information of the person who has the authority to set the data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral, the operator is permitted to log in.

  When the login of the operator is permitted by the login process, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 provides the PC 3 with a selection screen for selecting the digital multifunction machine 12 for setting the data to be collected (step S12). ). Then, the selection screen of the digital multifunction peripheral is displayed on the display unit 3b of the PC 3. In response to this display, when the operator selects the digital multifunction peripheral 12 using the operation unit 3c, the PC 3 transmits a notification indicating the selected digital multifunction peripheral 12 to the center server 21.

  When the notification of the selected digital multi-function peripheral 12 is received from the PC 3 (step S13), the CPU 51 of the center server 21 selects data to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral 12 by the providing means as shown in FIG. A selection screen is created and provided to the PC 3 (step S14). Then, a selection screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 3b of the PC 3.

  When the operator selects an item of data to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral with the operation unit 3c in a state where the selection screen is displayed, the PC 3 gives a notification indicating the item of data to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral. Transmit to the center server 21. That is, the center server 21 selects a data item to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral 12 by the operator while the PC 3 is provided with a selection screen for selecting the data item to be collected as described above. (Settings) are accepted.

  When a notification indicating an item of data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral 12 selected by the operator on the collected data selection screen as described above is received from the PC 3 (step S15), the CPU 51 of the center server 21 stores the data. The item of data selected on the selection screen by the means is stored (set) in the setting information storage area 54c of the HDD 54 as setting information of the digital multifunction device 12 regarding the data item collected from the digital multifunction device 12 (step) S16).

  By such setting processing, the center server 21 performs setting for data items to be collected from each digital multi-function peripheral. That is, when an operator (administrator) who has authority to set data items collected from the digital multifunction peripheral logs in, the center server 21 causes the operator to select data items collected from each digital multifunction peripheral. A selection screen is provided, information indicating the data item selected by the operator on the selection screen is received, and the data is set as data to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral.

  As a result, the operator can easily select (specify) items of data to be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral, improving operability and collecting only necessary data from each digital multi-function peripheral. The operator can easily make settings so as not to collect necessary data. Further, as a result, the center server 21 can efficiently collect only necessary data from the digital multi-function peripheral, and the network load due to data communication can be reduced.

Next, data collection processing from the digital multi-function peripheral by the center server 21 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a data collection process in which the center server 21 collects data from the digital multi-function peripheral by the collecting means.
Here, communication between the center server 21 and the digital multifunction device 12 for the center server 21 to collect data from the digital multifunction device 12 is performed at predetermined intervals (periodic communication intervals). Shall.

  That is, when the regular communication time with the digital MFP 12 (when data is collected), the CPU 51 of the center server 21 reads the setting information of the digital MFP stored in the setting information storage area 54c of the HDD 54. The data item to be collected is read from the digital multi-function peripheral (step S21).

  When data items to be collected are read from the digital multi-function peripheral, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 sequentially determines whether or not each data item is collected, and the data items that are determined to be collected. The process of collecting data from the digital multi-function peripheral is performed only for. Here, a case where data collection processing is performed on the data item selected on the selection screen of FIG. 3 will be described.

  In this case, first, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 determines whether or not a total counter should be collected from the digital multifunction peripheral based on the setting information of the digital multifunction peripheral read in step S21 (step S22). . When it is determined that the total counter should be collected by this determination (step S22, YES), the CPU 51 of the center server 21 transmits a transfer request for the total counter to the digital multi-function peripheral, and the digital multi-function peripheral. The total counter data of the digital multi-function peripheral is collected by receiving the total counter data from (Step S23). At this time, in response to the total counter transfer request from the center server 21, the digital multi-function peripheral reads out the total counter data stored in the storage means and transmits it to the center server 21. Yes.

  Similarly, for the job counter as basic data, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 determines whether or not the job counter should be collected from the digital multifunction peripheral based on the setting information of the digital multifunction peripheral (step S24). . If it is determined by this determination that the job counter is to be collected (step S24, YES), the CPU 51 of the center server 21 transmits a job counter transfer request to the digital multi-function peripheral, and the digital multi-function peripheral determines the job counter. Data is received (step S25).

  Similarly, collection processing is performed for each data item of the option data. That is, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 determines whether or not adjustment data should be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral based on the setting information of the digital multi-function peripheral (step S26). If so (step S26, YES), an adjustment data transfer request is transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral and the adjustment data is received from the digital multi-function peripheral (step S27). The CPU 51 of the center server 21 determines whether or not setting data should be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral based on the setting information of the digital multi-function peripheral (step S28). If so (step S28, YES), a setting data transfer request is transmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral and the setting data is received from the digital multifunction peripheral (step S29).

  Further, the CPU 51 of the center server 21 determines whether or not FAX setting data should be collected from the digital multi-function peripheral based on the setting information of the digital multi-function peripheral (step S30), and collects FAX setting data based on this determination. If it is determined (YES in step S30), a FAX setting data transfer request is transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral and the FAX setting data is received from the digital multi-function peripheral (step S31). The CPU 51 of the center server 21 determines whether or not to collect ROM version data from the digital multifunction peripheral based on the setting information of the digital multifunction peripheral (step S32). If it is determined that data is collected (step S32, YES), a ROM version data transfer request is transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral and the ROM version data is received from the digital multi-function peripheral (step S33).

  In the example of the data collection process shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not each item should be collected, and for the data to be collected, a data transfer request is transmitted each time and data is collected from the digital multifunction peripheral. However, it may be determined whether or not each item should be collected, a transfer request for the data of the item to be collected is collectively performed, and the data to be collected may be received from the digital multifunction peripheral. .

  As described above, the center server 21 collects data of each item from the digital multifunction peripheral based on the data items to be collected from the digital multifunction peripheral set as the setting information of the digital multifunction peripheral. It is like that. Thereby, the center server 21 can collect only the data of items based on the setting information for each digital multi-function peripheral, and can efficiently perform data communication in the data collection process.

  The operation described in the above embodiment is realized by a program installed in a center server on the network, and can be realized by installing the program in a center server as an existing server device.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the function for carrying out the invention is recorded in advance in the server device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same function may be downloaded from the network to the server device. A device having the same function stored in a recording medium may be installed in the apparatus. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as an optical disk and can be read by the server apparatus. In addition, the function obtained by installing or downloading in advance may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or the like inside the apparatus.

The figure which shows the structural example of the remote management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of a center server. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for selecting items of data to be collected from a digital multi-function peripheral. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a setting process for setting items of data collected from the digital multifunction peripheral using the selection screen of FIG. 3. 5 is a flowchart for explaining data collection processing in which a center server collects data from a digital multifunction peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Local area network (LAN), 2 ... Internet, 12, 13 ... Digital compound machine, 14 ... Controller, 15 ... Administrator PC, 16 ... Firewall, 21 ... Center server, 51 ... Control unit (CPU), 54 ... Hard disk drive (HDD), 54a ... Program storage area, 54b ... Collected data storage area, 54c ... Setting information storage area, 55 ... Network interface

Claims (4)

In a remote management device that remotely manages office equipment,
Providing means for providing a selection screen for selecting items of data to be collected from managed office equipment;
Storage means for storing data items selected on the selection screen provided by the providing means as data items to be collected from the office equipment;
Collection means for collecting from the office equipment data selected based on the items of data to be collected from the office equipment stored in the storage means;
A remote management device for office equipment, comprising: The selection screen provided by the providing means is provided with a list of data items that can be collected from the office equipment and a selection switch corresponding to each data item. Item 2. The remote management device for office equipment according to Item 1. To remote management device to remotely manage office equipment,
A providing function that provides a selection screen for selecting items of data to be collected from managed office equipment;
A storage function for storing data items selected on the selection screen provided by the providing function in the storage means as data items to be collected from the office equipment;
A collection function for collecting from the office equipment data selected based on the data items to be collected from the office equipment stored in the storage means;
Remote management program to realize. The selection screen provided by the providing function is provided with a list of data items that can be collected from the office device and a selection switch corresponding to each data item. Item 4. The remote management program according to item 3.

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