Abstract: An apparatus provides a network combining a local site having a host computer and a specialized storage and retrieval module for storing image information which is connected to a remote site having document processing equipment working with remote specialized storage retrieval modules for storage of image and information data. The single local main host computer can operate the network such that documents which are converted to digitized packets can be stored in and retrieved from both the remote storage retrieval modules and also stored int eh local storage retrieval module for use of the remote and the local peripheral devices.