DEVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TAX PROCEDURES FOR IT

Abstract

A device management system for managing a network device provides data generated from maintenance information, including operational information collected from the network device serving as the service target, and provides a simulation result of the effect of introducing a service to manage the network device. If a service setting is determined for use in the simulation, the simulation result is provided based on that setting.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device management system and a control method therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is common practice to enter into a maintenance contract for maintenance, such as regular maintenance and repair support for an image forming device, and to engage a maintenance service provider to perform the maintenance. A server in the cloud manages and analyzes data such as operation information of the image forming device connected via the internet to improve the efficiency of the maintenance service. JP 2022 / 121807 discloses a method for analyzing operation history information and proposes an improvement measure for increasing the productivity of an image forming device whose productivity has deteriorated.

[0003] Here, an index (data) to be confirmed according to the role of the maintenance service provider's administrator, manager, and on-site personnel differs in terms of the data collected for the maintenance service business. Furthermore, when introducing a new device management service to improve the operational efficiency of maintenance service work, it is difficult to determine the impact of the service introduction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a screen for confirming the effect of introducing a service for managing a network device.

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a device management system for managing a network device, the device management system comprising: a first providing device configured to provide data generated based on maintenance information including operation information collected from the network device serving as a service target; and a second providing device configured to provide a simulation result of simulating an effect of introducing a service for managing the network device, wherein, when a setting value of the service for use in the simulation is determined, the second providing device provides the simulation result based on the setting value.

[0006] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device management system. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B are diagrams showing a configuration of hardware of the device management system and a host computer. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of software of the device management system. Fig. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process of displaying a dashboard screen. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a maintenance information update process. Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a dashboard display process. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a service introduction simulation process in Embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 9A is a diagram showing an example of an administration dashboard screen. Fig. 9B to 9D show sections of the Fig. 9A in detail. Fig. Figure 10A is a diagram showing an example of the administration dashboard screen displaying a simulation result. Fig. 10B to 10D show sections of the Fig. 10A in detail. Fig. Figure 11A is a diagram showing an example of a management dashboard screen. Fig. 11B to 11D show sections of the Fig. 11A in detail. Fig. Figure 12A is a diagram showing an example of the management dashboard screen displaying a simulation result. Fig. 12B to 12D show sections of the Fig. 12A in detail. Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a list describing the handling of index values. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a simulation setting screen when devices for which a service has been introduced and devices for which no service has been introduced are mixed. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a service introduction simulation process in Embodiment 2. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a setting value change simulation process in Embodiment 2. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the setting value simulation screen in Embodiment 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1)

[0007] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device management system. A device management system 10 provides a service for managing network devices. The device management system includes a maintenance information management system 160 and a web service provision system 170. Furthermore, the device management system 10 may include management target network devices and a host computer 191 configured to display screens provided by the maintenance information management system 160 and the web service provision system 170 and to input information on the screen. Printing devices 100 to 105 are management target network devices in the present embodiment. They are communicatively connected to each other via a network 190.A variety of printing devices and a host computer can be connected, and other devices can be connected.

[0008] The network device to be managed by the device management system 10 is a device that can communicate with the device management system 10. In the present embodiment, the printing devices 100 to 105, which are image forming devices, are described as examples. The printing devices 100 to 105 are examples of network devices managed by the device management system. In the present embodiment, a multifunction printer (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as a printing function, a reading function, and a fax function are integrated is described as printing devices 100 to 105. Furthermore, each of the printing devices 100 to 105 may be a printer, a scanner device, a 3D printer, or the like.

[0009] The maintenance information management system 160 provides services related to the maintenance of the printing devices 100 to 105. For example, operational information including error information such as failures of the printing devices 100 to 105, dispatch information of a service technician or service employee related to a maintenance service, and inventory information about consumables are collected. A request to dispatch a service technician or an instruction to deliver consumables in the event of a repair is also issued based on the collected information. The maintenance information management system 160 is implemented, for example, by a single server.

[0010] The web service provision system 170 provides various types of services, such as a device management service and a billing information management service for a printing device. Here, it is assumed that the device management service provides a web application running in a web browser such as the host computer 191. For example, the device management service provides the data required for the device management service in response to a request from a client application dedicated to the device management service running on the host computer 191. The screen provided by the web service provision system 170, such as the management dashboard screen described below, is displayed as a device management service via the web browser on the display of the host computer 191.For example, the web service provisioning system 170 is implemented by a single server.

[0011] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which both the maintenance information management system 160 and the web service provision system 170 include different types of servers, the present invention is not limited to this. The maintenance information management system 160 and the web service provision system 170 may be implemented as one system. Therefore, the maintenance information management system 160 and the web service provision system 170 may be realized by a single server. Furthermore, the maintenance information management system 160 may be realized by a virtual machine (cloud service) using resources provided by a data center that includes the information processing device in addition to one or more information processing devices, or a combination thereof.The web service provision system 170 may also be realized by a virtual machine (cloud service) using resources provided by a data center that includes the information processing device in addition to one or more information processing devices or a combination thereof.

[0012] The host computer 191 is an information processing device such as a PC or a tablet. The host computer 191 displays a screen provided by the device management system 10 via the web browser. The network 190 only needs to be configured to enable data transmission / reception, and any communication method can be used in the network 190. The network 190 includes, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a cellular network such as an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network or a fifth-generation (5G) network, a wireless network, a telephone line, a dedicated digital circuit, or a combination thereof.

[0013] Fig. 2A is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the device management system 10. The device management system 10 includes a maintenance information management system 160 and a web service provision system 170. The maintenance information management system 160 includes a control unit 161, a storage device 165, and a communication unit 166. The control unit 161 is a control board (controller) that generally controls the maintenance information management system 160. The control unit 161 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 162, a read-only memory (ROM) 163, and a random access memory (RAM) 164. The CPU 162 controls each block within the control unit 161 via a system bus (not shown).For example, the CPU 162 executes a function of the maintenance information management system 160 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 163, the RAM 164, the storage device 165, or another storage medium. For example, the ROM 163 stores various types of control programs, including an operating system (OS) program, tables, and setting data necessary to execute the functions of the maintenance information management system 160, and the like. The RAM 164 is used, for example, as a working memory of the CPU 162. The storage device 165 stores, for example, device operation information, data, user information, device information, and the like collected from the printing devices 100 to 105. The communication unit 166 controls communication with an external device via the network 190.

[0014] The web service provision system 170 includes a control unit 171, a storage device 175, and a communication unit 176. The control unit 171 is a control board (controller) that generally controls the web service provision system 170. The control unit 171 includes a CPU 172, a ROM 173, and a RAM 174. The CPU 172 controls each block in the control unit 171 via a system bus (not shown). The CPU 172 performs, for example, the function of the maintenance information management system 160 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 173, the RAM 174, the storage device 175, or another storage medium. The ROM 173 stores, for example, various types of control programs including an operating system (OS) program and the like, tables and setting data required to execute the functions of the web service providing system 170, and the like.The RAM 174 is used, for example, as the working memory of the CPU 172. The storage device 175 stores, for example, device maintenance information acquired by the maintenance information management system 160, setting values, and various types of data related to displaying / generating a dashboard, user information including user authentication information and authorization information, device information, and the like. The communication unit 176 controls communication with an external device via the network 190.

[0015] Fig. 2B is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host computer 191. The host computer 191 is an information processing device such as a PC. The host computer 191 displays a screen provided by the web service providing system via the web browser. The host computer 191 includes a control unit 198, a manipulation unit 195, a storage device 196, a display unit 197, and a communication unit 199. The control unit 198 is a control board (controller) that generally controls the host computer 191. The control unit 198 includes a CPU 192, a ROM 193, and a RAM 194. The CPU 192 controls each block in the control unit 198 via a system bus (not shown).For example, the CPU 192 executes the function of the host computer 191 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 193, the RAM 194, the storage device 196, or another storage medium. The ROM 193 stores, for example, various types of control programs, including an operating system (OS) program and the like, tables and setting data required to execute the functions of the host computer 191, and the like. The RAM 194 is used, for example, as the working memory of the CPU 192. The storage device 196 stores, for example, various types of application programs, data, user information, device information, and the like. The manipulation unit 195 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like for receiving a user's manipulation and outputting information about the received user's manipulation and the like to the control unit 198.The display unit 197 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various types of user interface screens and information. The communication unit 199 controls communication with an external device via the network 190.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 100. The printing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a reading device 120, a printing device 130, a manipulation unit 140, a storage device 150, and a communication unit (not shown). The control unit 110 is a control board (controller) that generally controls the printing apparatus 100. The control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an image processing unit 114, and rendering hardware (HW) 115. The CPU 111 controls each block in the control unit 110 via a system bus (not shown). The ROM 112 stores a control program, tables, and setting data necessary for executing the functions of the printing apparatus 100, and the like. The RAM 113 is used as the main memory of the CPU 111, as a work area or similar.The storage device 150 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). Various programs and data, parameters, and the like are stored on the HDD and SSD. The storage device 150 stores, for example, image data, device information such as a mode and license, operational information such as the number of printed pages, user information such as an address book and customization, and the like. The CPU 111 performs the function of the printing device 100 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory (the ROM 112, the RAM 113, the storage device 150, or another storage medium connected to the printing device 100).

[0017] The image processing unit 114 performs various image processing operations such as conversion, correction, editing, and compression / decompression of the electronic data generated by the reading device 120 and the externally received image data. The image processing unit 114 may include hardware or be implemented in software. The rendering HW 115 is hardware (HW) that performs a high-speed rendering process based on intermediate data and generates a print output image.

[0018] The reading device 120 optically reads a manuscript fed from a roller (not shown) or the automatic document feeder (ADF) and generates electronic data. The reading device 120 is configured, for example, as a scanner engine. The printer device 130 outputs image data resulting from print data (e.g., a Page Description Language (PDL), a Portable Document Format (PDF), or the like) onto a paper medium or the like. Examples of a printing method performed by the printer device 130 include an electrophotographic method (laser jet method), an inkjet method, a sublimation method (thermal transfer method), and the like.In the case of the electrophotographic process, the printer device 130 includes consumable parts such as a developer, a drum, an intermediate transfer belt (ITB), a fixing device, and a feed roller of a paper feed stage.

[0019] The manipulation unit 140 displays a screen and receives a manipulation instruction from the user via the screen. The manipulation unit 140 includes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display, for displaying an operating state of the image forming device, a setting screen (user interface screen), and a manipulation button for performing manipulations such as setting an operating mode of the image forming device and setting a copying operation. Furthermore, a display unit and buttons may be implemented as a touch panel, enabling touch manipulation using an electrostatic method, a pressure-sensitive method, or the like. By mapping input coordinates and display coordinates in the touch panel, it is possible to create a graphical user interface (GUI).The manipulation unit 140 outputs information about the received user manipulations and the like to the control unit 110. The communication unit (not shown) controls communication with an external device via the network 190.

[0020] In addition, the printing device 100 is not limited to the Fig. 1 is limited and includes other configurations in accordance with executable functions of the printing device 100. For example, the printing device 100 may also include a configuration required to execute a fax function or a configuration enabling short-distance wireless communication. Although an example in which the network device to be managed by the device management service is a printing device is described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is only required that the network device be an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), an image processing device such as a camera, or a device capable of communication and serving as a device management service target, such as a printer.a smart home device or application. The printing devices 101 to 105 also have a similar configuration to the printing device 100.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a diagram for describing a configuration of software of the device management system 10. The maintenance information management system 160 includes a maintenance information management unit 401. The maintenance information management unit 401 performs maintenance information management, such as acquiring, processing, and storing maintenance information. The maintenance information is information about the maintenance of a management target device. The maintenance information includes information obtained by aggregating information acquired from the management target device, information acquired via a host computer, a mobile terminal, or the like, and collected information.Specifically, the information acquired from the management target device includes device information such as a printing device serial number, printing and scanning counter information, parts wear levels, consumable usage statuses, parts and consumable replacement information, device operation information, error information, device setting values, and the like. Information acquired from other terminals also includes shipping information, inventory information, and device management information. Shipping information includes, for example, a shipping date, a worker, a working time, a shipping target serial number of a printing device, a shipping reason, action contents, and the like.Inventory information includes, for example, the number of toners or parts in inventory, an inventory confirmation date, the number of orders, an order date, an orderer, the number of uses, a use date, a user, a serial number of a printing device in use, and the like. Device management information includes a serial number of a printing device, model information, an installation location, information about a customer who owns the printing device, maintenance contract information, user information, and the like. Furthermore, the maintenance information management unit 401 processes data by summarizing the acquired information and manages the processed data as maintenance information. When processing the data, for example, summarization or the like is performed at specific intervals such as daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.Furthermore, as part of the data processing, the maintenance information management unit 401 may be configured to perform the calculation of simulations to be displayed on a dashboard screen and manage simulation results as the maintenance information. For example, in the case of a detailed simulation, a calculation is performed to simulate the influence of a service on information about fault contents, devices, and products. Therefore, the maintenance information management unit 401 performs simulations for information about fault contents, devices, and products and manages simulation results as the maintenance information. The maintenance information management unit 401 stores the maintenance information in the storage device 165.The storage device 165 also functions as a maintenance information management database (DB) in which the maintenance information is stored.

[0022] The web service provision system 170 includes a user information management unit 411, a maintenance information acquisition unit 412, an administration dashboard provision unit 413, and a management dashboard provision unit 414. The user information management unit 411 manages user information of the device management system 10. For example, the user information management unit 411 performs user authentication when a user logs in to the screen provided by the device management system 10. Furthermore, the user information management unit 411 manages the authorization for each user. Examples of the user's authorization include the authorization of an administrator who decides on the introduction of a service provided by the device management system 10, the authorization of a manager, and the authorization of a user who decides on the introduction of a service provided by the device management system 10.The user information management unit 411 manages the permissions of a maintenance service manager and the permissions of an operator, who is a service technician who performs a maintenance service such as repairing a printing device. Furthermore, the user information management unit 411 manages simulation settings registered for each user. Examples of simulation settings include detailed simulation and simplified simulation.

[0023] The maintenance information acquisition unit 412 acquires maintenance information from the maintenance information management system 160. The administration dashboard provision unit 413 generates an administration dashboard screen based on the maintenance information and the like, and provides the administration dashboard screen to a user with administrator authority. The administration dashboard screen is a screen on which information about the management and maintenance services for the printing device 100 can be summarized and listed with administration indexes, aggregate values, tables, charts, and the like. The administration dashboard provision unit 413 displays a dashboard screen ( Fig. 9A to 9D) that displays data based on maintenance information generated from operation information collected by the printing device 100 and the like, and a dashboard screen ( Fig. 10A to 10D) that displays simulation results when the service is introduced. Furthermore, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 receives changes in the setting values ​​in the simulation and provides a simulation screen corresponding to the determined setting values.

[0024] The management dashboard providing unit 414 generates a management dashboard screen based on maintenance information and the like, and provides a management dashboard screen to a user with the administrator or manager authorization. The management dashboard screen is a screen on which information about the management and maintenance services for the printing device 100 can be summarized and listed with administration indexes, aggregate values, tables, charts, and the like. The management dashboard providing unit 414 displays a dashboard screen ( Fig. 11A to 11D) that displays data based on maintenance information generated from operation information and the like collected by the printing device 100, and a dashboard screen ( Fig. 12A to 12D) that displays simulation results when the service is launched. The administration dashboard providing unit 413 and the management dashboard providing unit 414 provide a dashboard screen to the user by providing the dashboard screen to the host computer 191 via the web browser. Furthermore, the management dashboard providing unit 414 receives changes in the setting values ​​in the simulation and provides a simulation screen corresponding to the determined setting values.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a process for displaying a dashboard screen. When the web service provision system 170 receives a request to display the dashboard screen from the host computer 191, the dashboard screen is generated and provided based on maintenance information managed by the maintenance information management system 160. The maintenance information management system 160 manages the maintenance information for use in creating a dashboard based on the information collected by the printing device 100.

[0026] First, a series of processes denoted by P501 will be described. P501 denotes a maintenance information update process in which the maintenance information management system 160 updates maintenance information based on information received from a management device such as the printing device 100. At S511, the printing device 100 transmits maintenance information to the maintenance information management system 160. The device information includes information for uniquely identifying the device and information indicating an operating state of the device.The device information includes, for example, device information such as a printing device serial number, counter information for printing and scanning, wear levels of parts, usage states of consumables, information on replacement of parts and consumables, device operation information, error information, device setting values, and the like. At S512, the maintenance information management system 160 notifies the printing device 100 of a reception result indicating that the device information was received normally. At S513, the maintenance information management system 160 updates the device maintenance information stored in the storage device 165 based on the received device information.

[0027] Here, details of the process executed by the maintenance information management system 160 in the maintenance information update process designated P501 will be described. Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the maintenance information update process. The process of Fig. 6 is realized when the CPU 162 of the maintenance information management system 160 reads a program stored in the ROM 163 into the RAM 164 and executes the read program. The process of Fig. 6 is started by transmitting the operation information to the maintenance information management system 160 when the operation information is updated in any of the printing devices 100 to 105. Furthermore, the transmission of the operation information by the printing devices 100 to 105 may be performed in the form of a periodic transmission at regular intervals.

[0028] At S601, the maintenance information management unit 401 receives device information from one of the printing devices 100 to 105. The device information includes a serial number of the printing device, device setting values, device operation information, and the like. The device operation information includes counter information for printing and scanning, wear levels of parts, usage states of consumables, information about the replacement of parts and consumables, power supply information of the device, error information, action information for an error, and the like. In addition, the maintenance information management unit 401 provides a reception result report indicating that the device information was received normally.In addition to acquiring device information from the device, the maintenance information management unit 401 may be configured to acquire an actual result of the service technician performing maintenance on the device. Information about the actual result of the maintenance action includes, for example, work contents of the device maintenance work, such as labor time and spare parts.

[0029] At S602, the maintenance information management unit 401 updates the maintenance information management DB stored in the storage device 165 based on the device information received at S601 and the actual maintenance result information collected by the service technician, or the like, and ends the present process. The maintenance information management unit 401 updates the maintenance information by updating the maintenance information management DB stored in the storage device 165. In the maintenance information management DB update process, a process of overwriting the maintenance information management DB with the latest information received at S601, a process of adding the latest information received at S601 to the maintenance information management DB, and storing an addition result, and the like are performed.In addition, a data processing process is performed based on data updated with the latest information received at S601. When processing data, for example, aggregation or similar operations are performed at specific intervals, such as daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.

[0030] Next, a series of processes designated P502 will be described. P502 denotes a process in which the web service provision system 170 generates a dashboard screen based on maintenance information and provides the generated dashboard screen to the host computer 191. At S521, the host computer 191 transmits a dashboard display request to the web service provision system 170. At S522, the web service provision system 170 performs user authentication for the user who submitted the dashboard display request. During user authentication, the web service provision system 170 also confirms the user's authority.

[0031] At S523, the web service provision system 170 transmits a maintenance information acquisition request to the maintenance information management system 160. At S524, the maintenance information management system 160 returns the maintenance information stored in the storage device 165 to the web service provision system 170 in response to the maintenance information acquisition request. At S525, the web service provision system 170 generates a dashboard screen based on the acquired maintenance information. At S526, the web service provision system 170 provides the dashboard screen generated at S525 to the host computer 191 via the web browser.

[0032] At S527, the host computer 191 transmits a simulation request to the web service provision system 170. At S528, the web service provision system 170 transmits a maintenance information acquisition request to the maintenance information management system 160. At S529, the maintenance information management system 160 returns the maintenance information stored in the storage device 165 to the web service provision system 170 in response to the maintenance information acquisition request. At S530, the web service provision system 170 simulates a device management service introduction based on the acquired maintenance information. At S531, the web service provision system 170 generates a dashboard screen displaying the service introduction simulation results. At S532, the web service provision system 170 provides the dashboard screen generated at S531 to the host computer 191 via the web browser.

[0033] Here, shipping information, inventory information, and device management information related to the maintenance service for the printing device, which are transmitted via a host computer, a mobile terminal, or the like, are similarly collected in the maintenance information management system 160 (although not shown in the drawing). The shipping information includes a shipping date, a worker, a working time, a serial number of a printing device that is a shipping destination, a reason for shipping, an action content, and the like. The inventory information includes the number of toners or parts in stock, an inventory confirmation date, the number of orders, an order date, an orderer, the number of uses, a use date, a user, a serial number of a used printing device, and the like.The device management information includes a serial number of a printing device, model information, an installation location, information about a customer who owns the printing device, maintenance contract information, user information, and the like.

[0034] The process executed by the web service provisioning system 170 in the dashboard display process of P502 is described with reference to Fig. 7 described. Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the dashboard display process. Fig. The process shown in Fig. 7 is realized when the CPU 172 of the web service provision system 170 reads a program stored in the ROM 173 or the like into the RAM 174 and executes the read program. The process of Fig. 7 begins when the user specifies a uniform resource locator (URL) of the dashboard display screen in the web browser of the host computer 191.

[0035] At S701, the user information management unit 411 receives input of user authentication information from the user via the host computer 191 and performs a user authentication process. If the user authentication is successful, the processing of S402 is performed. Conversely, if the user authentication fails, the present process is terminated. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user authentication was successful.

[0036] At S702, the user information management unit 411 confirms the user's authorization information for displaying the dashboard. In the present embodiment, the user information management unit 411 confirms whether the user has the administrator authorization or the manager authorization. Since the dashboard to be provided differs depending on the user's authorization, the user's authorization is confirmed. If the administrator authorization is present, the processing of S703 is performed. However, if the manager authorization is present, S704 is performed. If the user has neither the administrator nor the manager authorization, the present process ends because the user is not authorized to display the dashboard.

[0037] Although an example of the administrator's authority and the manager's authority was described as the user's authority to confirm the dashboard in S702 of the present embodiment, the authority may be another authority to display the dashboard. In addition to the authority assigned to the user, the presence or absence of the authority may be confirmed based on a device desired to display the dashboard. For example, on-site personnel may have the same authority as the manager for a dashboard display process, but there are restrictions on the devices from which the dashboard can be confirmed, and on-site personnel can confirm the dashboard only after performing a login process from some devices.

[0038] At S703, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 generates an administration dashboard screen based on the maintenance information acquired from the maintenance information management system 160 and provides the generated administration dashboard screen to the host computer 191. Specifically, the maintenance information acquisition unit 412 transmits a maintenance information acquisition request to the maintenance information management system 160 and acquires maintenance information in response to the request from the maintenance information management system 160. The administration dashboard providing unit 413 generates the administration dashboard screen based on the acquired maintenance information. Furthermore, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 provides the generated administration dashboard screen as a web page to the web browser of the host computer 191.The CPU 192 of the host computer 191 displays the administration dashboard screen provided by the web service provision system 170 on the display unit 197 via the web browser.

[0039] The following describes an enterprise management screen provided by the web service provisioning system 170. Fig. Figure 9A is a diagram showing an example of an administration dashboard screen. Fig. 9B to 9D show sections of the Fig. 9A in detail. The administration dashboard screen 900 is a screen that displays actual result data related to device maintenance, and displays data based on maintenance information generated from operation information collected from a device, an actual result report from a service technician, and the like. The administration dashboard screen 900 includes a service simulator switch 901, a screen update date and time 902, a user name 903, a designated area 904, a display target period 905, and basic maintenance service information 906. In addition, the administration dashboard screen 900 includes device state information 907, worker performance information 908, and inventory information 909 as administration indexes for a maintenance service administrator to determine management.Although an example in which a device state, worker performance, and inventory are displayed as administration indexes is described in the present embodiment, the administration indexes are not limited to this, and, for example, revenue, cost, work quality, and the like may be displayed as administration indexes.

[0040] The service simulator switch 901 is a switch that performs a switching process between the validity and invalidity of the simulation of administration indexes for the maintenance service administrator to make an administration determination when the service has been introduced. That is, the service simulator switch 901 can switch whether or not to display the simulation of the device state information 907, the worker performance information 908, and the inventory information 909 when the service has been introduced. Furthermore, it is possible to perform a switching process between the validity and invalidity of the simulation for each service. Fig. In the example shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the service simulator switch 901 can perform a switching process between the validity and invalidity of the simulation for each service with respect to two services, that is, a scheduled dispatch service and a remote repair service. The scheduled dispatch service and the remote repair service are services provided by the maintenance information management system 160. The scheduled dispatch service is a service for enabling scheduled dispatch and inventory arrangement by analyzing when dispatch is required based on device information acquired from a management target device such as the printing device 100.The remote repair service is a service for analyzing error information and device operation information included in the device information acquired from a management target device such as the printing device 100, and for eliminating an error occurring in the device according to manipulation from a remote location. The method shown in . Fig. In the example shown in Figures 9A to 9D, both the simulation display of the scheduled dispatch service and the remote repair service are deactivated (OFF).

[0041] The screen refresh date and time 902 displays a date and time at which the administration dashboard screen 900 is generated. The screen refresh date and time 902 indicate that the dashboard displays maintenance information at this date and time. The user name 903 displays the user information authenticated in S701. The specific area 904 displays an area designated as a display target. In the specific area 904, the user can select and designate or designate an area. The display target period 905 displays a display period on the dashboard. In the display target period 905, the user can specify a start date and an end date for the display target period. The specific area 904 and the display target period 905 are, for example,Pull-down, and the information to be displayed on the dashboard can be narrowed down when the user performs manipulation and designation operations. Although the present embodiment describes an example in which a range and a time period are specified as conditions for narrowing down the display target, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0042] In the basic maintenance service information 906, basic information about the maintenance service is displayed. For example, in the basic maintenance service information 906, the number of devices that are maintenance service targets, the total number of printed pages of the device, and the number of customers who have contracted for the maintenance service are displayed as basic maintenance service information. In the device status information 907, aggregated data indicating the operating status of a maintenance service target device is displayed. For example, in the device status information 907, a numerical value of a utilization rate of the device, a monthly transition graph of the utilization rate, and a numerical value of the average number of report pages, that is, the number of printed pages output when reports from customers in devices are displayed.Although in the present embodiment, a display process is performed such that a period before or after the target display period is included when displaying a monthly transition graph, the target display period may be displayed in close-up or expanded to a yearly display. In the worker performance information 908, aggregate data indicating the worker's performance status is displayed. For example, in the worker performance information 908, a numerical value of the average number of processing cases per worker, a monthly transition graph of the number of processing cases, and a numerical value of the total working time are displayed. In the inventory information 909, aggregate data indicating the inventory management status is displayed.For example, in the inventory information 909, a numerical value of the average number of inventory turnover days from the time a toner is ordered to the time the toner is used, a numerical value of the average number of inventory turnover days from the time a part is ordered to the time the part is used, and a monthly transition graph of the number of inventory turnover days for each toner or part are displayed.

[0043] Back to Fig. 7, at S704, the management dashboard providing unit 414 generates a management dashboard screen based on the maintenance information acquired from the maintenance information management system 160 and provides the generated management dashboard screen to the host computer 191. Specifically, the maintenance information acquisition unit 412 transmits a maintenance information acquisition request to the maintenance information management system 160 and acquires maintenance information in response to the request from the maintenance information management system 160. The management dashboard providing unit 414 generates a management dashboard screen based on the acquired maintenance information. Furthermore, the management dashboard providing unit 414 provides the generated management dashboard screen as a web page to the web browser of the host computer 191.The CPU 192 of the host computer 191 displays the management dashboard screen provided by the web service provision system 170 on the display unit 197 via the web browser.

[0044] A screen for device management provided by the web service provision system 170 is described below. Fig. Figure 11A is a diagram showing an example of a dashboard-style administration screen. Fig. 11B to 11D show sections of the Fig. 11A in detail. A management dashboard screen 1100 includes a service simulator switch 1101, a screen update date and time 1102, a user name 1103, a specific area 1104, a display target period 1105, and basic maintenance service information 1106. In addition, the management dashboard screen 1100 includes device status information 1107, worker performance information 1108, and inventory information 1109 as administration indexes to which the maintenance service manager can respond.

[0045] The service simulator switch 1101 is a switch that switches whether or not to display the simulation of a management index so that the maintenance service administrator can act when the service has been introduced. That is, the service simulator switch 1101 can switch whether or not to display the simulation of the device state information 1107, the worker performance information 1108, and the inventory information 1109. Furthermore, it is possible to perform a switching process between the validity and invalidity of the simulation for each service. Fig. 11A to 11D, the service simulator switch 1101 can switch the display of the simulation when two services, ie, a scheduled dispatch service or a remote repair service, have been introduced. In the example shown in Fig. In the example shown in Figures 11A to 11D, both the display of the simulation of the scheduled dispatch service and the display of the simulation of the remote repair service are turned off.

[0046] The screen update date and time 1102 indicate the date and time at which the management dashboard screen 1100 is generated. The screen update date and time 1102 indicate that the dashboard displays maintenance information at this date and time. The user name 1103 displays the user information authenticated in S701. The specific area 1104 displays an area designated as a display target. In the specific area 1104, the user can select and designate an area. The display target period 1105 displays a display period on the dashboard. In the display target period 1105, the user can designate a start date and an end date for the display target period. The specific area 1104 and the display target period 1105 are, for example,Pull-down, and the information to be displayed on the dashboard can be narrowed down when the user performs manipulation and designation operations. Although the present embodiment describes an example in which a range and a time period are specified as conditions for narrowing down the display target, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0047] In the basic maintenance service information 1106, basic information about the maintenance service is displayed. For example, in the basic maintenance service information 1106, the number of devices that are maintenance service targets, the total number of printed pages of the device, and the number of customers who have contracted for the maintenance service are displayed as basic maintenance service information. In the device status information 1107, aggregated data indicating the operating status of a maintenance service target device is displayed.For example, the device status information 1107 displays a numerical value of a device's utilization rate, a table of an abnormal device list in which the number of detected abnormalities in the device exceeds a certain threshold, and a monthly transition graph of the number of anomaly detections in the device specified in the abnormal device list. The worker performance information 1108 displays aggregated data indicating the worker's performance status.For example, the worker performance information 1108 displays a numerical value of the average number of processing cases per worker, a numerical value of the average number of dispatches per worker, a numerical value of the average working time per case, and a numerical value representing an average initial problem resolution rate at which the problem could be resolved by the first dispatch. The inventory information 1109 displays aggregate data indicating the inventory management status.For example, the inventory information 1109 displays a numerical value of the number of products such as toner and parts that need to be ordered when the inventory falls below a certain threshold, a table of a product list recommended for ordering, and a monthly transition graph of the number of products in the inventory that are specified in the product list recommended for ordering.

[0048] Returning to Fig. 7, at S705, the administration dashboard provision unit 413 or the administration dashboard provision unit 414 receives a manipulation from the user on the displayed dashboard via the manipulation unit 195 of the host computer 191. If the received manipulation is a manipulation of turning on / off the service simulator switch 901 or the service simulator switch 1101, the processing of S706 is performed. On the other hand, if a manipulation of closing the web browser in which the dashboard is displayed is performed, the present process ends.

[0049] At S706 and S707, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 or the administration dashboard providing unit 414 updates the display of the dashboard in accordance with a manipulation of the service simulator switch 901 or the service simulator switch 1101. In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the simulations of both the scheduled dispatch service and the remote repair service are validated in accordance with a manipulation of the service simulator switch 901 or the service simulator switch 1101.

[0050] At S706, the administration dashboard provision unit 413 or the management dashboard provision unit 414 performs a simulation when a service validated according to a user's manipulation has been introduced. Here, details of a service introduction simulation process executed by the web service provision system 170 are described with reference to Fig. 8 described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the service introduction simulation process in Embodiment 1. The process of Fig. 8 is realized when the CPU 172 of the web service provision system 170 reads a program stored in the ROM 173 or the like into the RAM 174 and executes the program. Here, as an example, a case is described where the service simulator switch 901 in the administration dashboard screen 900 is turned on, and the administration dashboard provision unit 413 executes the service introduction simulation process. A similar process is also performed when the administration dashboard provision unit 414 executes the service introduction simulation process.

[0051] At S801, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 confirms the service validated at S705. Here, it is confirmed whether the simulation of the scheduled dispatch service or remote repair service provided by the maintenance information management system 160 has been validated. The scheduled dispatch service is a service that enables scheduled dispatch and inventory arrangement by analyzing when dispatch is required based on the device information acquired from the device at S601 or the like. For example, with the scheduled dispatch service, by detecting the risk of a part failure based on information about the part's wear level, it is possible to generate a report on the remaining number of days until the failure occurs, and enable scheduled dispatch of a service technician and inventory arrangement.The remote repair service is a service for analyzing error information and device operation information included in device information acquired from a device at S601 or the like, and for repairing an error occurring in the device according to manipulation from a remote location. Furthermore, these services are examples and may be linked to maintenance services for other devices.

[0052] At S802, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 confirms the handling of index values ​​with respect to the simulation of each service and confirms the index values ​​that change according to the simulation. Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a list for describing index value handling. The list includes information about index values ​​1300, a benefit determination 1301, a threshold value 1302, information about the scheduled dispatch service 1303, and a remote repair service 1304. Index values ​​1300 include, for example, basic maintenance service information, a utilization rate, the number of report pages, the number of processing cases, the total working time, the number of toner inventory turnaround days, the number of parts inventory turnaround days, the number of dispatches, an initial problem resolution rate, the number of toners to be ordered, and the number of parts to be ordered. Benefit determination 1301 indicates whether, for each index value, either a benefit exists when the numerical value increases or a benefit exists when the numerical value decreases.The benefit indicates that the introduction of the simulated service has an impact. Furthermore, a disadvantage is determined if the numerical change is opposite to the increase / decrease of the advantage determination 1301. Threshold 1302 is a threshold for a change in the numerical value that is considered an advantage or disadvantage. A change that is less than the numerical value set in threshold 1302 is not treated as an advantage or disadvantage, since no change occurs.

[0053] The scheduled dispatch service information 1303 indicates whether the index value changes due to the scheduled dispatch service simulation. The utilization rate, number of report pages, total working time, and number of parts inventory turnover days for which the scheduled dispatch service information 1303 is Yes are index values ​​that change when the scheduled dispatch service is simulated. The remote repair service information 1304 indicates whether the index value changes due to the remote repair service simulation. The utilization rate, number of report pages, number of processing cases, total working time, and number of dispatches for which the remote repair service information 1304 is Yes are index values ​​that change when the remote repair service is simulated.

[0054] At S803, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 confirms the simulation settings. Specifically, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 confirms whether a detailed simulation is set or a simple simulation is set. The simple simulation is a simulation in which only representative index values ​​are simulated, a calculation amount and an amount of information to be confirmed are reduced compared to the detailed simulation, and a simulation result is displayed as quickly as possible. The administration dashboard providing unit 413 confirms simulation settings based on simulation settings registered in advance in the storage device 196 as user-specific settings or simulation settings designated by the user via the manipulation unit 195.If simple simulation is set, processing of S804 is performed. If detailed simulation is set, S805 is performed.

[0055] The following describes a case where the simple simulation is performed. At S804, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 performs the simple simulation for an index value that changes according to the simulation confirmed at S802. In the simple simulation, the simulation results are displayed as quickly as possible by reducing a scope of calculations and a scope of information to be confirmed. For example, a process can be performed at high speed by applying a specific parameter only to a current utilization rate and a utilization rate aggregated for each month, or by applying a specific parameter without confirming the individual error content of the number of processing cases. Alternatively, the content of the previous simulation can be retained and the simulation calculation can be performed only on the added data.In a case where a large amount of calculations is required, such as simulation for each device or product, this can be excluded from a simulation objective in the case of simple simulation.

[0056] A case where the detailed simulation is performed is described below. At S805, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 performs detailed simulation for an index value that changes according to the simulation confirmed at S802. In the detailed simulation, the calculation for simulating an influence of a service is performed for each information item, such as each fault content item, each device, or each product. Here, an increase in the amount of calculation or the amount of information to be handled in the web service providing system 170 at S805 can be suppressed by registering a result of the simulation performed by the maintenance information management system 160 during the maintenance information update process at S602 in the maintenance information management DB.

[0057] At S806, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 determines a changed part and an advantage / disadvantage with respect to the index value for which a simulation calculation was performed at S804 or S805, registers the determined changed part and the advantage / disadvantage to display it on the administration dashboard screen, and ends the present process. The administration dashboard providing unit 413 determines the changed part depending on whether there is a change that exceeds the threshold 1302. Furthermore, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 determines whether the change is an advantage or a disadvantage for the changed part that exceeds the threshold 1302.The administration dashboard providing unit 413 determines that the change exceeding the threshold is an advantage if it conforms to the advantage determination 1301, and determines that the change exceeding the threshold is a disadvantage if it does not conform to the advantage determination 1301.

[0058] Back to Fig. 7, at S707, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 updates the administration dashboard screen or the management dashboard screen based on a simulation result of S706 and provides the updated dashboard screen to the host computer 191. The CPU 192 of the host computer 191 displays the updated dashboard screen on the display unit 197. In addition to a simulation result of S804 or S805, the dashboard screen also displays the advantage and disadvantage of S806. Any display format for the advantage and disadvantage can be used as long as the user can recognize the advantage or disadvantage, and the advantage or disadvantage can be displayed in the form of words or icons, or in color. When the updated screen is provided to the host computer 191, the web service providing system 170 returns to the processing of S705.In addition, in S707, when the dashboard screen includes a variety of user interface (UI) parts, only the UI parts that need to be updated are updated, and the UI parts that do not need to be updated are not updated, so that a period of time required for display is shortened.

[0059] Below is an example of an updated dashboard that displays or reflects a simulation result. Fig. Figure 10A is a diagram showing an example administration dashboard screen displaying a simulation result. Fig. 10B to 10D show sections of the Fig. 10A in detail. An administration dashboard screen 1000 is a screen showing a result of simulating the effects of introducing a device management service. In the present embodiment, the administration dashboard screen 1000 displays the simulation results comparable to the actual result data related to device maintenance. The administration dashboard screen 1000 is an administration dashboard screen on which a detailed simulation result is displayed. In a service simulator switch 1001 of the administration dashboard screen 1000, both the simulation of the scheduled dispatch service and the simulation of the remote repair service are validated.

[0060] On the administration dashboard screen 1000, which displays a simulation result, the simulation result after service introduction is displayed as an administration index value so that a maintenance service administrator can make an administration decision. Specifically, the administration index obtained by adding a simulation result to the device status information 907 is displayed in the device status information 1002. The administration index obtained by adding the simulation result to the worker performance information 908 is displayed in the worker performance information 1003. The administration index obtained by adding the simulation result to the inventory information 909 is displayed in the inventory information 1004.Based on the inventory information 1004, it is possible to estimate the required number of parts or consumables, so that an increase in the inventory quantity to be held can be suppressed. In the case of the method shown in . Fig. 10A to 10D, the administrator may envision that the introduction of the service is effective overall, while at the same time recognizing the disadvantage that the number of processing cases increases due to the advance action through scheduled dispatch or the early action through remote repair.

[0061] Fig. Figure 12A is a diagram showing an example of an administration dashboard screen displaying a simulation result. Fig. 12B to 12D show sections of the Fig. 12A in detail. A management dashboard screen is a management dashboard screen in which a detailed simulation result is displayed. In a service simulator switch 1201 of the management dashboard screen 1200, both the simulation of the scheduled dispatch service and the simulation of the remote repair service are validated.

[0062] In the management dashboard screen 1200, which displays a simulation result, the simulation result after service introduction is displayed in the value of the management index for the maintenance service manager to act on. Specifically, a management index obtained by adding the simulation result to the device status information 1107 is displayed in the device status information 1202. A management index obtained by adding the simulation result to the worker performance information 1108 is displayed in the worker performance information 1203. A management index obtained by adding the simulation result to the worker performance information 1108 is displayed in the inventory information 1204.According to the device state information 1202, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of detected abnormalities in the corresponding device by taking a pre-measure at a time in August when there is a sign of the occurrence of the phenomenon. In the case shown in . Fig. 11A to 11D, the administrator may consider that the introduction of the service is effective overall, while at the same time recognizing the disadvantage that the number of processing cases increases due to the advance measures taken by scheduled dispatch or the early measures taken by remote repair.

[0063] Since it is possible to predict the feasibility of the next month's work plan in the planned dispatch service simulation, a predicted result for the next month can be displayed in some transition graphs. For example, the following month's results are also displayed in a transition graph of the number of processing cases in the worker performance information 1003 of the administration dashboard screen 1000, a transition graph of the number of inventory turnover days in the inventory information 1004, and a transition graph of an inventory quantity in the inventory information 1204 of the administration dashboard screen 1200.

[0064] Although in this embodiment, the case where the service is not introduced into all devices before simulation is described, a case where the service is introduced into some devices may also be used. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a simulation setting screen when devices to which a service has been introduced and devices to which a service has not been introduced are mixed. Instead of the service simulator switch 901 or the service simulator switch 1101, a simulation setting screen 1400 is displayed on the dashboard. On the simulation setting screen 1400, information about introduced services 1403 corresponding to a device group 1401 of customer A and a service simulator switch 1404 corresponding to a device group 1402 of customer B are displayed. By turning on the service simulator switch 1404, the service introduction simulation process is performed for the device group 1402 of customer B. This makes it possible to provide a dashboard for comparing a current state with the effects of introducing a service.

[0065] In the present embodiment, a case is described where the effect of service introduction can be confirmed by turning on the service simulator switch for a device group to which the service has not yet been introduced. In contrast, it is also possible to display the simulation of a case where an already introduced service is invalidated. For a device group to which the service has already been introduced, it is possible to reconfirm an improvement effect of the introduced service by performing a service invalidation simulation when the service simulator switch is turned off and displaying a simulation result on the dashboard.

[0066] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display a simulation result of the impact of introducing a newly introduced network device management service on the dashboard to provide the simulation result while presenting various indexes related to the maintenance service business. By simulating the impact of introducing a new service for each index, it is possible to confirm how effective the service is for each role, which can lead to a smooth service introduction. (Example 2)

[0067] In Embodiment 1, an example was described in which simulation can be performed using two simulation settings, the detailed simulation and the simple simulation. In the present embodiment, an example in which setting value change simulation for performing simulation by changing a setting value of a new service to be simulated according to the user's designation can be performed as a detailed simulation will be described below. Only differences from Embodiment 1 will be described below. In addition, processing steps and components identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.Although in the present embodiment, an example in which an administration dashboard screen is provided is described, a case in which a management dashboard screen is provided is also similar.

[0068] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a service introduction simulation process in Embodiment 2. The process of Fig. 15 is realized when the CPU 172 of the web service provisioning system 170 reads a program stored in the ROM 173 or the like into the RAM 174 and executes the program. If it is determined at S803 that the simulation setting is a detailed simulation, the processing of S1501 is performed.

[0069] At S1501, the administration dashboard provisioning unit 413 performs the setting value change simulation as a detailed simulation for an index value that changes due to the simulation confirmed at S802. In the setting value change simulation, the setting value of the service to be newly simulated is changed according to the user designation, and the simulation is performed. The following describes the process of the setting value change simulation with reference to Fig. 16 described. Fig. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the setting value change simulation process. The process of Fig. 16 is realized when the CPU 172 of the web service providing system 170 reads a program stored in the ROM 173 or the like into the RAM 174 and executes the program.

[0070] At S1601, the administration dashboard provision unit 413 confirms the information about the service setting value validated at S705. It is assumed that a LIFE value indicating a time for replacing a part in the scheduled dispatch service is subject to change. The higher the LIFE value, the longer the part is used, and the number of reports due to the occurrence of a failure, etc., increases. Therefore, if the part is replaced when the LIFE value is low, the reporting rate is low. Conversely, if the part is replaced while the LIFE value is small, the frequency of replacement and the cost of the part increase. At S1602, the administration dashboard provision unit 413 confirms whether there is an index value affected by a change in the setting value confirmed at S1601. If there is an affected index value, the processing of S1603 is performed.If, however, no index value is affected, the current process is terminated. Here, it is assumed that the LIFE value setting affects the report rate and the part cost.

[0071] At S1603, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 performs a simulation in which the setting value is changed. Here, it is assumed that a simulation was performed in which a four-level setting value was changed as the LIFE value to be set to 100, 120, 140, and 160. At S1604, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 generates a setting value simulation screen and provides the setting value simulation screen to the host computer 191. The CPU 192 of the host computer 191 displays the setting value simulation screen on the display unit 197. Furthermore, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 receives a change in the setting value on the setting value simulation screen via the host computer 191.

[0072] Fig.17 is a diagram showing an example of the setting value simulation screen in Embodiment 2. The setting value simulation screen 1700 is a setting value simulation screen in the introduction simulation of the planned dispatch service. The setting value simulation screen 1700 includes a setting value selection checkbox 1701, a setting value simulation result 1702, simulation-related data 1703, an OK button 1704, and a Cancel button 1705. In the setting value simulation result 1702, the advantage of an effect of reducing the parts replacement rate in each LIFE value and the report rate due to the introduction of the planned dispatch service and the disadvantage of increasing the parts cost due to the increase in parts replacement are displayed. In the simulation-related data 1703, a graph of an actual replacement result for each LIFE value is displayed.The user confirms the benefit or disadvantage of implementing the service by confirming the setting value simulation result 1702 and the simulation-related data 1703, and then selecting a desired setting value (LIFE value) using the setting value selection checkbox 1701. Pressing the OK button 1704 after selecting the setting value in the setting value selection checkbox 1701 sets the setting value. Furthermore, selecting the Cancel button 1705 terminates the current process and performs a simulation with the original value without changing the setting value.

[0073] At S1605, the administration dashboard providing unit 413 registers the setting value received at S1604 and the simulation result with the setting value to be displayed on the administration dashboard screen, and ends the present process. Although setting value simulation is performed in the case where all parts to be replaced are replaced with a uniform LIFE value in the present embodiment, the setting value that differs for each part may be used. When the setting value that differs depending on the part is used, the simulation process for the setting value may be calculated in advance using the maintenance information management system 160 or the like, since the calculation amount increases as the target setting value increases.

[0074] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can set the setting value for use in the simulation. By changing the setting value, it is also possible to simulate the effects of introducing a new service in more detail and confirm how effective the service introduction is under different assumptions, which can lead to a smooth service introduction. (Other embodiments)

[0075] The embodiment(s) of the present invention may also be implemented by a computer, system, or apparatus that retrieves and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above, and / or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits): "application specific integrated circuit", ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above, and by a method executed by the computer of the system or device, for example, by reading the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium and executing them to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above and / or controlling the one or more controllers to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above. The computer may have one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) and a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors for reading and executing the computer-executable instructions.The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, via a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), distributed computing system memory, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims should be interpreted as broadly as possible to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022 / 121807

[0002]

Claims

[1] A device management system for managing a network device, the device management system comprising: a first providing device configured to provide data generated based on maintenance information including operational information collected from the service-target network device; and a second providing device configured to provide a simulation result of a simulation of an effect of introducing a service for managing the network device, wherein, when a setting value of the service is determined for use in the simulation, the second providing means provides the simulation result based on the setting value. [2] The device management system according to claim 1, wherein the effect of introducing the service together with data indicating a disadvantage of introducing the service is provided in a dashboard style as the simulation result. [3] The device management system according to claim 2, wherein data for which the effect of introducing the service is obtained and data subject to disadvantage due to introducing the service are displayed in different colors. [4] The device management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a presence or absence of the effect of introduction and a disadvantage are determined based on an increase or decrease in each index value of the result of simulating the effect of introduction of the service for each index value of the data generated based on the maintenance information. [5] Device management system according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the simulation of the introduction of the service can be switched between validity and invalidity. [6] The device management system according to claim 5, wherein the device management system supports a plurality of services, and wherein switching between the validity and invalidity of the simulation of the introduction of the service can be performed for each service. [7] The device management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second providing means provides a setting value simulation screen indicating an index of each setting value of the service for use in the simulation, and receives a change of the setting value on the setting value simulation screen. [8] The device management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the network device is an image forming device, and wherein the service is a service related to maintenance of the network device. [9] Device management system according to claim 8, wherein the operational information includes error information of the network device, a usage state of a consumable in the network device, and the number of printed pages in the network device, and wherein a simulation target includes at least one piece of information about a utilization rate of the network device, a number of maintenance works or a time of a service technician for the network device, and information related to an inventory of consumables of the network device. [10] A control method of a device management system for managing a network device, the control method comprising: Providing data generated based on maintenance information including operational information collected from the service target network device; and Providing a simulation result of a simulation of an effect of introducing a service for managing the network device, wherein, if a setting value of the service is determined for use in the simulation, the simulation result is provided based on the setting value.

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