A multifunction apparatus having a set of functions which includes at least one of copy, fax and internet fax/e-mail functions, comprising: a user identifying information acquisition unit that is adapted to acquire information for identifying and authenticating a user who operates the multifunction apparatus ; a function limitation unit that is adapted to limit use, for an authenticated user, of the set of functions of the multifunction apparatus based on the acquired user identifying information and function limit information which is preset for the authenticated user characterized by wherein the function limit information preset for an authenticated user includes a list of function items associated with each function of said set of functions of the multifunction apparatus and, for each function item in the list, information stating whether each function item is allowed for the authenticated user and setting a limit to the use of a function item for said authenticated user, wherein the function items associated with the copy function include at least one of color copy, monochrome copy, and indication of a paper tray, and the function items associated with the fax function include a limit on the number of pages to transmit, wherein the function items associated with the Internet fax/e-mail function includes transmission to an internal e-mail address and transmission to an external e-mail address, allowability of transmission to an internal e-mail address and/or an external e-mail address being determined based on the destination e-mail address, and wherein the function limitation unit is adapted to limit use of a function of the set of functions, for the authenticated user, by starting or prohibiting a job provided by a function item, which is selected by the authenticated user, according to the function limit information for the authenticated user. a user identifying information acquisition unit that is adapted to acquire information for identifying and authenticating a user who operates the multifunction apparatus ; a function limitation unit that is adapted to limit use, for an authenticated user, of the set of functions of the multifunction apparatus based on the acquired user identifying information and function limit information which is preset for the authenticated user characterized by wherein the function limit information preset for an authenticated user includes a list of function items associated with each function of said set of functions of the multifunction apparatus and, for each function item in the list, information stating whether each function item is allowed for the authenticated user and setting a limit to the use of a function item for said authenticated user, wherein the function items associated with the copy function include at least one of color copy, monochrome copy, and indication of a paper tray, and the function items associated with the fax function include a limit on the number of pages to transmit, wherein the function items associated with the Internet fax/e-mail function includes transmission to an internal e-mail address and transmission to an external e-mail address, allowability of transmission to an internal e-mail address and/or an external e-mail address being determined based on the destination e-mail address, and wherein the function limitation unit is adapted to limit use of a function of the set of functions, for the authenticated user, by starting or prohibiting a job provided by a function item, which is selected by the authenticated user, according to the function limit information for the authenticated user. <EOS>