System and method for collaborative device data collection

A method for multifunction peripheral data collection comprising:

• communication data with a plurality of multifunction peripherals via a network interface;
• communicating data with at least one peer data collector via the network interface;
• storing identity data and associated address data for each of the plurality of multifunction peripherals in a memory;
• initiating a data transfer session in accordance with the associated stored address data with each of the plurality of multifunction peripherals to corresponding retrieve device report data;
• retrieving device report data from each successful data transfer session;
• generating problem list data corresponding to an identity of each multifunction peripheral associated with an unsuccessful data transfer session;
• generating a collection report in accordance retrieved device report data;
• outputting a generated collection report to an associated server via the network interface;
• and
• communicating generated problem list data to at least one networked device via the network interface.

A device data collector for multifunction peripherals comprising:

• a network interface;
• a processor configured for data communication with a second device data collector via the network interface, the processor further configured to pair with the second device data collector via the network interface;
• and
• a memory configured to store device list data comprising address data for each of a plurality of monitored multifunction peripherals,
• wherein the processor is further configured to initiate an SNMP data exchange with each of the plurality of monitored multifunction peripherals,
• wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve device report data for each successful SNMP data exchange,
• wherein the processor is further configured to generate a problem list identifying each multifunction peripheral associated with an unsuccessful SNMP data exchange,
• wherein the processor is further configured to communicate a generated problem list to the paired second device data collector, and
• wherein the processor is further configured to communicate the report data to an associated cloud server via the network interface.