Abstract: A supervising method and system, the system including a plurality of image-forming apparatuses, and a monitoring terminal apparatus disposed in a service center which is connected to the plurality of image-forming apparatuses via a public line. Each image-forming apparatuses is capable of transmitting report information to the service center when an abnormality occurs in the image-forming apparatus. A monitoring terminal stores and displays the report information from the image-forming apparatus. The monitoring device counts a not-yet-dealt-elapsing time period per stored report information. The monitoring terminal further compares each not-yet-dealt-elapsing time period of the report information with a predetermined time period, alerting an operator of the report information and associated effect based upon the not-yet-dealt-elapsing time period exceeding the predetermined time period as to process expediently urgent report information.

Abstract: An order management system automatically places an order with one of a plurality of suppliers when order information is input by one of a plurality of orderers. A terminal unit is provided to each of the orderers. The terminal unit is used for inputting the order information being transmitted to a central management unit via a communication network. The central management unit manages order history information and section information with respect to each orderer. The central management unit calculates a total cost of previous orderers based on the order history information of one of the orderers sending the order information and order information sent from one of the orderers. Execution of an ordering process is permitted when the calculated total cost of the previous orders is within a budget of the orderer.