Patent ID: 7716341

Claim:
A server connected to an administrator apparatus, to a terminal of a predetermined user and to a plurality of imagers, each imager having at least one function mode, the server comprising: a memory configured to store a driver for each of the plurality of imagers, wherein the plurality of imagers include at least a monochrome printer having a monochrome printing function mode, and a color printer having a monochrome printing function mode, a color printing function mode, and a scanning function mode; a receiver configured to receive, from the administrator apparatus, an installation management list and a user management list, wherein the installation management list includes a listing of a plurality of predetermined devices, including a definition for each of the plurality of predetermined devices, with each definition identifying both an imager and a function mode, the plurality of predetermined devices including at least a monochrome printing device defined as the monochrome printer using the monochrome printing function mode, a first color printing device defined as the color printer using the monochrome printing function mode, a second color printing device defined as the color printer using the color printing function mode, and a third color printing device defined as the color printer using the scanning function mode, and wherein the user management list includes at least one of the plurality of predetermined devices, that the predetermined user is permitted to use, issued by the administrator apparatus; a controller configured to generate a configuration file for the predetermined user based on the installation management list and the user management list, the configuration file including at least one predetermined device of the plurality of predetermined devices that the predetermined user is permitted to use, and including the at least one linager function mode that the predetermined user is permitted to use; and a transmitter configured to transmit, to a terminal, a driver for the at least one imager and the configuration file for the predetermined user, whereby the terminal can install the driver for the at least one imager and can set the at least one function mode that the predetermined user is permitted to use at the at least one imager, wherein the configuration file further provides information specifying various operational parameters of the driver, and is referenced by the terminal when installers of the driver are executed.