Abstract: In a communication system, one of a plurality of relay devices is assigned to a communication device that communicates with a counterpart communication device. When an instruction for selecting a communication method is received, one of the plurality of relay devices capable of communicating with the communication device using the selected communication method is assigned to the communication device.

Abstract: In a communication system, one of a plurality of relay devices is assigned to a communication device that communicates with a counterpart communication device. When a request for assigning a relay device to the communication device is received, one of the plurality of relay devices is assigned to the communication device based on processing load information indicating a processing load of each one of the plurality of relay devices.

Abstract: In a communication system, one of a plurality of relay devices is assigned to a communication device that communicates with a counterpart communication device. When an instruction for selecting a communication method is received, one of the plurality of relay devices capable of communicating with the communication device using the selected communication method is assigned to the communication device.

Abstract: In a communication system, one of a plurality of relay devices is assigned to a communication device that communicates with a counterpart communication device. When a request for assigning a relay device to the communication device is received, one of the plurality of relay devices is assigned to the communication device based on processing load information indicating a processing load of each one of the plurality of relay devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of managing an image forming device on a network, and a control program for managing the image forming device are disclosed. The management apparatus communicates with a plurality of network devices on the network by specifying a multicast address to generate a network device list, which lists address information of each of the plurality of network devices. The management apparatus communicates with one or more network devices each having the address information listed in the network device list to request each one of the one or more network devices for identification information of an image forming device. The management apparatus determines that at least one network device from which the identification information of the image forming device is successfully received as an image forming device to be managed by the management apparatus.

Abstract: A storage unit is configured to store screen element data on screen elements included in an operation screen of each apparatus. A receiving unit is configured to receive screen design data on the screen elements that forms the operation screen and setting data on settings for each apparatus. A screen drawing unit is configured to draw the operation screen by obtaining required screen elements from the screen element data based on the screen design data and the setting data. The receiving unit accumulates log data received from the apparatus. The screen drawing unit updates the screen design of the operation screen based on the log data and the screen element data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus remote monitoring system includes a center system that remotely monitors a plurality of printing apparatuses, and a plurality of monitoring mediation apparatuses that mediate communications between the plurality of printing apparatuses and the center system. The center system includes a bug countermeasure policy storage device that stores software bug information created in each of the printing apparatuses, linking it with a bug countermeasure policy. The software bug information includes a type of the printing apparatus, a version of firmware implemented in the printing apparatus, and abnormal information occurring during running of the firmware in the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A storage unit is configured to store screen element data on screen elements included in an operation screen of each apparatus. A receiving unit is configured to receive screen design data on the screen elements that forms the operation screen and setting data on settings for each apparatus. A screen drawing unit is configured to draw the operation screen by obtaining required screen elements from the screen element data based on the screen design data and the setting data. The receiving unit accumulates log data received from the apparatus. The screen drawing unit updates the screen design of the operation screen based on the log data and the screen element data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus remote monitoring system includes a center system that remotely monitors a plurality of printing apparatuses, and a plurality of monitoring mediation apparatuses that mediate communications between the plurality of printing apparatuses and the center system. The center system includes a bug countermeasure policy storage device that stores software bug information created in the printing apparatus linking with a bug countermeasure policy. The software bug information includes type of the printing apparatus, a version of firmware implemented in the printing apparatus, and abnormal information possibly caused in combination between the printing apparatus and the firmware.