Abstract: According to the invention, a process for automating management of a service contract for a business machine associated with a user is disclosed. In one step, A data capture device is provided proximate to a business machine. A threshold event associated with the service contract is determined and programmed into the data capture device. In another step, notification of triggering of the threshold event is received. Information related to the service contract is reported electronically and automatically to the user based, at least in part, upon the receiving of the trigger notification.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.