Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting operating data from machines used in the printing industry, in particular from printing presses, is disclosed. At least one machine linked to a control device, or an operating data collection device, automatically transmits data during operation of the machine to the control device, or the operating data collection device, and a time frame for operating data collection is generated automatically from the machine data such that machine activity time intervals about the operating time of the machine on the one hand and machine downtime intervals on the other hand are derived from the machine data. Reasons for downtime are automatically assigned to the established machine downtime intervals and/or can be assigned semi-automatically.