A technique is provided for servicing a plurality of medical diagnostic systems
remotely. The systems are coupled to an internal network of a medical institution
or facility. A data communications control system serves to link the institution
to a remote service provider via an external network. Service requests and data
are generated at the systems or at the control system. The requests are then transmitted
to the remote service provider via the control system, and responses to the requests
are received by the control system for distribution to the diagnostic systems.
The technique permits systems to be remotely serviced which may not be equipped
for separate communication via external networks, reduces infrastructure and costs,
and facilitates the coordination of service needs of the institution.