Device management system

A device monitoring apparatus that is connected with a device management apparatus through a network, the device monitoring apparatus comprising:

• a use information obtaining module that obtains use information including status of use of the device based on monitored item configuration information, wherein the monitored item configuration information has an item for monitoring the device;
• a use information storage module that stores the obtained use information;
• a device identification information obtaining module that obtains device identification information for specifying the device that is targeted for monitoring;
• and
• a transmission module that transmits the use information and the device identification information to the device management apparatus.

A device management system that a device monitoring apparatus and a device management apparatus are connected through a network, that the device management system comprising:

• the device monitoring apparatuses includes
• a use information obtaining module that obtains use information including the status of use of a device based on monitored item configuration information, wherein the monitored item configuration information includes an item for monitoring a device;
• a use information storage module that stores the obtained use information;
• a device identification information obtaining module that obtains device identification information for specifying the device that is targeted for monitoring;
• and
• a transmission module that transmits the use information and the device identification information to the device management apparatus,
• the device management apparatus includes
• a receiving module that receives the use information and the device identification information from the device monitoring apparatus;
• a use information storage module that stores the received use information and the received device identification information;
• an association module that associates the received use information and the received device identification information;
• and
• a management module that manages the device based on the use information.

A device management method carried out by a device management apparatus connected with a device monitoring apparatus through a network, the device management method comprising:

• receiving use information and device identification information from the device monitoring apparatus, wherein the use information includes status of use of a device and the device identification information includes information for specifying the device monitored by the device monitoring apparatus;
• storing the received use information and the received device identification information;
• associating the received use information and the received device identification information;
• and
• managing the device based on the use information.

A device monitoring method carried out by a device monitoring apparatus connected with a device management apparatus through a network, the device monitoring method comprising:

• obtaining use information including status of use of a device based on monitored item configuration information, wherein the monitored item configuration information has an item for monitoring the device;
• storing the obtained use information;
• obtaining device identification information for specifying the device that is targeted for monitoring;
• and
• transmitting the use information and the device identification information to the device management apparatus.

A management method carried out by a device management system that has a device monitoring apparatus and a device management apparatus through a network, the management method comprising:

• the device monitoring apparatus includes
• obtaining use information including status of use of a device based on monitored item configuration information, wherein the monitored item configuration information includes an item for monitoring the device;
• storing the obtained use information;
• obtaining device identification information for specifying the device that is targeted for monitoring;
• and
• transmitting the use information and the device identification information to the device management apparatus,
• the device management apparatus includes
• receiving-the use information and the device identification information from the device monitoring apparatus;
• storing the received use information and the received device identification information;
• associating the received use information and the received device identification information;
• and
• managing the device based on the use information.