A method and system for monitoring, controlling and diagnosing operation of a
machine
such as a business office machine including a facsimile machine, a copier, and
a printer. When the speed of communication between the remote device and machine
is not urgent, a connectionless mode of communication may be used. The form of
connectionless communication is an electronic mail message transmitted over the
Internet. However, when a condition needs urgent action, a direct connection is
used for communication such as communication via a telephone or ISDN line. The
information obtained from the machine is stored in one or more data bases within
a company and information of the machine is shared between a service department,
engineering and design department, manufacturing department, and marketing department.
As communication over the Internet via electronic mail is not secure, the connectionless-mode
messages transmitted using Internet electronic mail are encrypted.
