JP2000207177A - Managing system for image-forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and economically perform management of versions for the control program of an image-forming device in each client destination. SOLUTION: When the install completion report button of an operation display part is depressed (when the report of install completion of a present machine is instructed), plural image-forming apparatuses, such as copy machines 13 respectively transmit install completion report data, to which the version information of control programs is added to information showing the install completion of the present machine, through a wired interface(I/F) 16b, communication adapter 11 and public communication line network 5 to a center system (central managing apparatus) 1. On the basis of the version information of control programs included in the install completion report data respectively sent from the plural image forming devices, the center system 1 manages in batch the versions of control programs of the plural image forming devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a central management apparatus having a computer and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected via a public communication line network, a communication adapter, a wired or wireless interface, and the central management apparatus is connected to a public network. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system for remotely managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a communication line network, a communication adapter, and a wired or wireless interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus management system, an image forming apparatus (OA equipment) such as a copying machine is installed in a service center using a public communication network and further using a communication adapter and a wired or wireless interface. There is known a device that can be connected to a central management device (center system).

In such an image forming apparatus management system, an image forming apparatus operating at each customer site is operated by a remote operation of a central management apparatus due to a change in specifications of the image forming apparatus or a bug. When updating (adding or changing) the control program, it is an important key factor to keep the version of the control program of the image forming apparatus installed at each customer in the central management apparatus in a management state.

Therefore, conventionally, an optional mechanism (such as a sorter) that requires updating of the control program after the installation of the image forming apparatus as the target apparatus at the customer site or after the installation is completed has been added. After completion, the person in charge of installing the device writes the version of the control program of the image forming apparatus (the control program at the time of installation or after the update) on a predetermined form, and further performs the following.

[0005] That is, a predetermined form on which an entry has been made is transmitted by facsimile (transmitted using a facsimile machine) or mail to a service center, and an operator of the service center (center operator) receiving the fax sends the entry to the central management unit. , The central management apparatus creates a management table for collectively managing the version of the control program of the image forming apparatus installed at each customer.

[0006]

However, such a method requires a great deal of trouble both for the equipment installer and for the center operator, and also causes image formation by remote operation of the central management unit due to omission of reports and omission of registration. When updating the control program of the apparatus, there is a possibility that a trouble may occur.

Further, the central management device sends a command to read the version of the control program to each image forming apparatus, and reads the version of the control program from each image forming apparatus, so that the version of each control program is managed collectively. There is also a method (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-324285), but this method increases the load on the central management apparatus and increases the communication fee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming apparatus management system capable of easily and economically managing a version of a control program of an image forming apparatus at each customer. With the goal.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a central management unit having a computer, a communication adapter connected to the central management unit via a public communication network, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, a printing machine, and the like. And a wired or wireless interface for connecting the communication adapter and the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the central management device is connected to the public communication network, the communication adapter, and the wired or wireless interface. In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus management system for remotely managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses has the following features.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an installation completion instructing means for instructing each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses to notify the completion of the installation of the apparatus, and when the instructions are issued by the means, the completion of the installation of the apparatus is determined. Installation completion notification data transmission means for transmitting installation completion notification data in which the version information of the control program is added to the information shown to the central management device, and the central management device transmits the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. There is provided a program version management means for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the version information of the control programs contained in the report data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the first aspect, each of the plurality of image forming apparatus installation completion notification data transmitting means transmits the control program of the control program during the operation after the completion of the installation of the apparatus. When an optional mechanism that requires addition or change is added, and the installation completion notification instructing means instructs the completion of the addition work, the version of the control program after the addition or change is added to the information indicating the completion of installation of the device. It is provided with means for transmitting the installation completion notification data to which information is added to the central management device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the first or second aspect, the control program contained in the installation completion notification data sent from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the central management apparatus. A management table generating / updating means for automatically generating or updating a management table for the program version management means to collectively manage the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the version information. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the first aspect, each of the plurality of image forming apparatus installation completion notification data transmitting means transmits the control program of the control program during the operation after the completion of the installation of the apparatus. An optional mechanism that requires addition or change is added, and when an instruction is given by the installation completion notification instructing means after the completion of the additional work, information indicating the completion of installation of the device and information indicating the added optional mechanism are added. There is provided a means for transmitting installation completion report data to which the version information of the control program after addition or change is added to the central management device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system of the fourth aspect, the central management apparatus further includes the installation completion notification data included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Based on the information indicating the optional mechanism and the version information of the control program after the addition or change, the program version management unit automatically generates or generates a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. A management table generating / updating means for updating is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system of the fifth aspect, the management table automatically generated or updated by the management table generating / updating means has a standard configuration of at least a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Version information of the control program, information indicating the added optional mechanism included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and version information of the control program after the addition or change. Is included.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This image forming apparatus management system includes a center system 1 as a central management apparatus installed in a service center S, and electronic equipment groups installed in customer sites A and B, respectively. . The exchanges at the customer sites A and B are not shown.

On the other hand, a customer A has a communication adapter 11 connected to the center system 1 of the service center S via the public communication network 5 and a facsimile (FAX) device 1.
2. A plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses such as a copier 13, a printer 14, and a printing machine 15, and a wired interface for connecting each of the image forming apparatuses to the communication adapter 11 (hereinafter, "interface" is "I / F"). 16a, 16
b.

The other customer B has a communication adapter 21 connected to the center system 1 of the service center S via the public communication network 5, a facsimile machine 22, and a copying machine 2.
3, a plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses such as a printer 24, a wired I / F 25 connecting the facsimile apparatus 22 and the communication adapter 21, and a wireless I / F connecting the copier 23, the printer 24 and the communication adapter 21. F26. The wireless I / F 26 includes wireless devices 26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the communication adapter 21, the copying machine 23, and the printer 24, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the center system 1. The center system 1 includes a plurality of client computers (hereinafter simply referred to as "clients") 2a, 2b,..., A server 3, and a LAN (local area network) interconnecting them.
And the like.

FIG. 3 shows clients 2a, 2b,.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server 3. The client 2a includes a CPU 31, a real-time clock circuit 3,
2, ROM33, RAM34, communication control unit 35
a, 35b,..., external memory control unit 36, display control unit 37, keyboard I / F circuit unit 38, network I / F unit 39, hard disk device 4
0, a CRT display 41, a keyboard 42 and the like.

Since the client 2b has the same configuration as described above, illustration and description of each unit other than the network I / F unit 39 will be omitted. Furthermore, the center system 1
The other clients in FIG. 2 have the same configuration as in FIG.

The CPU 31 includes a ROM 33 and an HDD 40
Is a central processing unit that controls the entire client 2a in a centralized manner by a control program inside the client 2a. The real-time clock circuit 32 generates time information.
U31 can know the current time by reading it. The ROM 33 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 31.

The RAM 34 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 31 performs data processing. Communication control unit 35a, 3
5b controls communication with external devices via the public communication line network 5, respectively. The external memory control unit 36 controls an interface with a hard disk device (hereinafter abbreviated as “HDD”) 40. The HDD 40 stores a control program including an operating system (hereinafter abbreviated as “OS”) and the like.

The display control unit 37 controls the interface with the CRT display 41. The keyboard I / F circuit unit 38 controls the interface with the keyboard 42. The network I / F unit 39
It performs interface control with other clients such as the client 2 b connected to the network 4 and the server 3.

The server 3 includes a CPU 51, a real-time clock circuit 52, a ROM 53, a RAM 54, an external memory control unit 55, a display control unit 56, a keyboard I / F circuit unit 57, a network I / F unit 58,
HDD 59, CRT display 60, keyboard 61
And so on.

The CPU 51 includes a ROM 53 and an HDD 59
It is a central processing unit that controls the entire server 3 by a control program in the server. The real-time clock circuit 52 generates time information, and the CPU 51 can read the information to know the current time. The ROM 53 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 51.

The RAM 54 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 51 performs data processing. External memory control unit 55
Performs interface control with the HDD 59. In the HDD 59, for example, various DBs including a customer database (hereinafter, “database” is abbreviated as “DB”) 59a, various files including a device program management file 59b, and a control program including an OS as shown in FIG. Etc. are stored.

The display control unit 56 controls the interface with the CRT display 60. The keyboard I / F circuit unit 57 controls an interface with the keyboard 61. The network I / F unit 58
Clients 2a, 2 connected to network 4
b,... are controlled.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control unit of the copying machines 13 and 23. The control units of the copying machines 13 and 23 are a CPU 71 and a real-time clock circuit 7, respectively.
2, ROM 73, RAM 74, nonvolatile RAM 75, input / output port 76, serial communication control units 77a, 7
7b, 77c, a personal I / F 78, and a system bus 79.

The CPU 71 has a ROM 73 or a non-volatile R
It is a central processing unit that controls the entire apparatus in its entirety by a control program in the AM 75. The real-time clock circuit 72 generates time information.
1 can know the current time by reading it. The ROM 73 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 71.

The RAM 74 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 71 performs data processing. The non-volatile RAM 75 stores the contents of mode instructions from an operation display unit (not shown) and the CPU 7.
1 is a memory for storing a control program and the like to be used, and is backed up by a battery. The input / output port 76 is connected to output loads such as a motor, a solenoid, and a clutch in the apparatus and sensors and switches.

The serial communication control unit 77a exchanges signals with an operation display unit (not shown).
The serial communication control unit 77b exchanges signals with a document feed unit (not shown). The serial communication control unit 77c exchanges signals with a transfer paper post-processing unit (not shown).

The personal I / F 78 is a communication adapter 1
A circuit unit for performing communication control with the CPU 1 or 21;
It is provided to reduce the load for controlling communication with the 71 communication adapter 11 or 21. Of course, CP
If the processing capacity of U71 is sufficient, this personal I /
The function of F78 may be incorporated in the CPU 71. Note that other image forming apparatuses such as the printer 14 are also used in FIG.
Although a control unit such as a CPU shown in FIG. 1 is provided, its illustration and description are omitted.

Here, the installation completion report instructing means and the installation completion report data transmitting means of the first to sixth aspects are provided by a CPU (including the CPU 71 of the copiers 13 and 23) of each image forming apparatus from an operation display unit (not shown). Operation signal and ROM (RO
M73) or non-volatile RAM (non-volatile RAM 7
5) in accordance with the control program described above.

The program version management means and the management table generating / updating means according to claims 1 to 6 are provided for each of the clients 2a, 2b,.
The PU 31 executes the control program in the ROM 33 and the HDD 40, and the CPU 51 of the server 3 executes the control program in the ROM 53 and the HDD 5.
9 is realized by operating in accordance with the control programs in 9 respectively.

Hereinafter, the processing operation according to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, only the processing operation of the copying machine 13 will be described as the processing operation of the image forming apparatus, but the processing operation of the other image forming apparatuses is the same, so that the description is omitted.

First, the processing operation according to the first and third aspects of the present invention will be described. When the copier 13 is delivered and installed at the customer site A and a series of operations associated with the copier 13 is completed (finished), the installer takes care of the completion of the installation on the display panel (touch sensor panel) of the operation display unit of the copier 13. Press the button for instructing the report (hereinafter referred to as “installation completion report button”). Note that the instruction to notify the completion of installation by pressing this button can also serve as an instruction to execute a communication test with the center system 1.

After the delivery of the copying machine 13 is completed,
When the installation completion notification button is pressed (there is an instruction to notify the completion of the installation of the copying machine 13), for example, as shown in FIG. The installation completion report data to which the model / machine number of the own device and the version information (Ver. Information) of the control program are added is transmitted to the center system 1 via the wired I / F 16b, the communication adapter 11, and the public communication network 5. .

Prior to transmission to the center system 1, a communication test with the center system 1 may be performed. The clients (2a, 2b,
) Is based on the version information of the control program included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses such as the copying machine 13.
The versions of the control programs of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively managed.

Therefore, when the installation completion report data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses such as the copying machine 13 is sequentially received, the model / model number and the control program included in the installation completion report data are received each time the installation completion report data is received. The device program management file 59b, which is a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed at each of the customer sites A and B in the order of model and machine number, based on the version information of HD of server 3
Automatically generated (or updated) in D59. In addition,
The update of the device program management file 59b is performed by rewriting the corresponding portion of the file.

Next, a processing operation according to the second and third aspects of the present invention will be described. An optional mechanism (such as a sorter) that requires the installation technician to add or change the control program at the customer's site at the customer's request during operation after the delivery and installation of the copying machine 13 is completed
Is added, after the addition work is completed, the installation completion notification button on the display panel of the operation display unit of the copying machine 13 is pressed in the same manner as described above.

During the operation of the copying machine 13 after the completion of delivery and installation of the copying machine 13, an optional mechanism that requires addition or change of a control program is added, and the installation completion notification button is pressed after the addition work is completed ( There is an instruction to report the completion of the installation of the copying machine 13), and as shown in FIG. 5A, information indicating the completion of the installation of the own machine (installation completion notification) includes the model and the machine number of the own machine. The installation completion report data to which the version information (Ver. Information) of the control program after the addition or change is added is transmitted to the center system 1 via the wired I / F 16b, the communication adapter 11, and the public communication network 5.

In this case, for example, the version information (version number) of the control program when the copier 13 is delivered and installed.
Is set to "1.00" and the version information of the control program added or changed after the addition of the optional mechanism is set to "1.05".
05 "is included.

The client (2a,
2b,...) Are based on the version information of the control program included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses such as the copying machine 13 or the like. Collectively manage the versions of the control programs. Therefore, it is possible to constantly maintain the management state of the latest control program version.

Therefore, when the installation completion report data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses such as the copying machine 13 is sequentially received, the model / machine number and the control program included in the installation completion report data are received each time the installation completion report data is received. The device program management file 59b, which is a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed at each of the customer sites A and B in the order of model and machine number, based on the version information of HD of server 3
Automatically generated (or updated) in D59. In addition,
The update of the device program management file 59b is performed by rewriting the corresponding portion of the file.

Next, the processing operation of the image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention will be described. According to the above-described processing operation, in the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine 13, collective version information (version number) is assigned to, for example, a plurality of customer-specific specifications and their optional mechanisms or a combination of a plurality of optional mechanisms in the standard specifications. Doing so requires a lot of management. Note that, for example, when a sorter is attached to a copying machine, a separate sorter control program is required.

The copier 13 performs the following processing operation. In other words, during the operation after the completion of the delivery installation of your own machine,
When an optional mechanism that requires addition or change of a control program is added, and the installation completion notification button is pressed after the addition work is completed, for example, as shown in FIG. Completion information), the model / machine number of the own machine, the version information (Ver. Information) of the control program of the standard configuration of each image forming apparatus, the information (option mechanism code) indicating the added optional mechanism, and the above The installation completion report data to which the version information (Ver. Information) of the added or changed control program is added is transmitted to the center system 1 via the wired I / F 16b, the communication adapter 11, and the public communication network 5.

The clients (2a, 2a) of the center system 1
2b,...) Are based on the version information of the control program included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses such as the copying machine 13 or the like. Collectively manage the versions of the control programs. Therefore, it is possible to constantly maintain the management state of the latest control program version.

For this reason, when the installation completion report data sent from a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as the copying machine 13 are sequentially received, the model / machine number and each control included in the installation completion report data are received each time the installation completion report data is received. A device program management file which is a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed at each of the customer sites A and B in the order of model and machine number based on the program version information and the like. 59b (see FIG. 6)
Is automatically generated (or updated) in the HDD 59 of the server 3.

The device program management file 59b
Is updated by rewriting the corresponding part of the file. When a plurality of optional mechanisms are added, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, information (a plurality of optional mechanism codes) indicating each of the optional mechanisms and a plurality of control programs after addition or change by the addition are added. The version information is arranged in the installation completion report data.

[0052]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, when each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is instructed to report the completion of the installation of the own apparatus, the installation of the own apparatus is performed. The installation completion report data in which the version information of the control program is added to the information indicating the completion is transmitted to the central management apparatus, and the central management apparatus is included in the installation completion report data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Since the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are collectively managed based on the version information of the control programs, an input operation by the operator (center operator) to the central management apparatus is not required, and the control program is not controlled by the central management apparatus. It is no longer necessary to send a version reading command to each image forming device, and control of each customer's image forming device The program version control easily and can be economically realized.

According to each of the second and subsequent aspects of the invention, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, an optional mechanism that requires addition or change of a control program is added to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses during operation after the installation of the image forming apparatus. When there is an instruction to report the completion of installation of the own device after the completion of the additional work, the installation completion report data in which the version information of the added or changed control program is added to the information indicating the completion of installation of the own device Since the central management device transmits the information to the central management device, the central management device can constantly maintain the latest version of the control program of the control program of the image forming device of each customer, and can easily maintain the image forming device of each customer. Management effort can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 3, claim 1 or 2
In addition to the invention of the above, the central management device updates the version of the control program of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the version information of the control program included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Since a management table for collective management is automatically generated or updated, the center operator does not need to input and update the control program version for each image forming apparatus at each customer every time the center operator needs it. The load on the operator can be significantly reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses requires an addition or change of a control program during operation after completion of the installation of its own apparatus. A mechanism is added, and when there is an instruction to notify the completion of the installation of the own machine after the completion of the additional work, information indicating the added optional mechanism is added to the information indicating the completion of the installation of the own machine and the information after the addition or change. Since the installation completion report data to which the version information of the control program is added is transmitted to the central management apparatus, the central management apparatus performs detailed and easy management of the version of the control program of the image forming apparatus of each customer for each optional mechanism. be able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fourth aspect, the central management unit includes the additional option included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Based on the information indicating the mechanism and the version information of the control program after the addition or change, the program version management unit automatically generates or updates a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. This eliminates the need for the center operator to input and update the version of the control program for each image forming apparatus of each customer every time it is needed, thereby significantly reducing the load on the center operator.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the management table automatically generated or updated includes at least version information of a control program of a standard configuration of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, Since the information indicating the added optional mechanism and the version information of the control program after the addition or change are included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the central management apparatus The control of the version of the control program of the image forming apparatus of each customer can be performed more finely and easily for each optional mechanism.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a center system 1 of FIG.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of clients 2a, 2b,..., Server 3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control unit of the copying machines 13 and 23 of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a different format example of installation completion notification data transmitted from the image forming apparatuses such as the copying machines 13 and 23 of FIG. 1 to the center system 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a device program management file 59b of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Center system (central management device) 2a, 2b: Client 3: Server 4: Network 5: Public communication line network 11, 21: Communication adapter 12, 22: Facsimile device 13, 23: Copy machine 14, 24: Printer 15 : Printing machines 16a, 16b, 25: wired I / F 26: wireless I / Fs 26a, 26b, 26c: wireless devices 31, 51, 71: CPU (central processing unit) 32, 52, 72: real-time clock circuit 33, 53, 73: ROM 34, 54, 74: RAM 35a, 35b: Communication control unit 36, 55: External memory control unit 37, 56: Display control unit 38, 57: Keyboard I / F circuit unit 39, 58: Network I / F unit 40, 59: HDD 41, 60: CRT display 42, 61: keyboard 59a: Customer DB 59b: Device program management file 75: Non-volatile RAM 76: I / O port 77a, 77b, 77c: Serial communication control unit 78: Internal I / F 79: System bus

Claims (6)

[Claims] A central management device having a computer;
A communication adapter connected to the central management device via a public communication network, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a printing machine; and connecting the communication adapter to the plurality of image forming apparatuses An image forming apparatus management system, wherein the central management apparatus remotely manages the plurality of image forming apparatuses via the public communication line network, the communication adapter, and the wired or wireless interface. In each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an installation completion notification instructing unit that instructs a notification of the completion of installation of the apparatus, and a version of a control program included in information indicating the completion of installation of the apparatus when an instruction is issued by the unit. Installation completion report data transmitting means for transmitting the installation completion report data to which the information is added to the central management device. The central management device, based on version information of the control program included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the version of the control program of the plurality of image forming apparatuses An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: a program version management unit for performing collective management. 2. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein said installation completion notification data transmission means of said plurality of image forming apparatuses respectively adds or changes a control program during operation after the installation of said apparatuses is completed. Is added, and when there is an instruction from the installation completion instructing means after the completion of the addition work, the version information of the added or changed control program is added to the information indicating the completion of installation of the device. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: means for transmitting the added installation completion notification data to the central management apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein a version of the control program included in the installation completion notification data sent from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to the central management apparatus. Management table generation / automatic generation / updating of a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of the plurality of image forming apparatuses by the program version management unit based on the information;
An image forming apparatus management system comprising an updating unit. 4. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of image forming apparatus installation completion notification data transmission units adds or changes a control program during operation after the installation of the apparatuses is completed. Is added, and when an instruction is given by the installation completion instructing means after the addition work is completed, information indicating the added optional mechanism and information indicating the added optional mechanism are added to the information indicating the completion of installation of the device. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus management system includes means for transmitting installation completion notification data to which the version information of the control program after the change is added to the central management apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 4, wherein the added optional mechanism is included in the central management apparatus in installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The program version management means automatically generates a management table for collectively managing the versions of the control programs of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, based on the information indicating the control program and the version information of the control program after the addition or change. An image forming apparatus management system comprising a management table generating / updating means for updating. 6. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 5, wherein a management table automatically generated or updated by said management table generating / updating means controls at least a standard configuration of said plurality of image forming apparatuses. Version information of the program, information indicating the added optional mechanism included in the installation completion notification data sent from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and version information of the control program after the addition or change. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: