Abstract: To provide an estimation requesting method and system that enable quick estimation requesting and are free of security-related problems. Estimation requesting document form information is stored in advance in a server of a order recipient company that is connected to an Internet. An information desiring person calls an estimation requesting document form from a homepage of the company, inputs prescribed items to the estimation requesting document form, and sending a completed estimation requesting document to the company. In this manner, the information desiring person directly requests the company to make an estimate.

Abstract: A low-cost merchandise-ordering method, system, and apparatus that allow customers to directly order menu items safely and sanitarily, to avoid mistakes in entering table number information and communications problems in data transmission, and to change menu information easily.

Abstract: A task instructing method for use with a work slip issuing terminal 12 and work terminals 14 is provided. The work slip issuing terminal 12 includes a reader/writer 121 which is connected to a central managing apparatus 10 storing task detail update information and which writes and reads information to and from a rewritable print indication area of a card type storage medium. Each of the work terminals 14 also includes a reader/writer connected to the central managing apparatus 10. The method comprises the steps of: causing the work slip issuing terminal 12 to print task details retrieved from the central managing apparatus 10 onto the card type storage medium that is issued as a work slip 20; and causing the work terminal 14, given the work slip 20, to search the central managing apparatus 10 for task detail update information so that the retrieved information is printed on the work slip 20.