Patent ID: 7464144

Claim:
A method for providing a newly purchased information apparatus which replaces or augments a customer's current information apparatus comprising: a manufacturer information apparatus of a manufacturer accepting an order for purchasing a new information apparatus to replace or augment the current information apparatus, and accepting a request for transfer servicing; in response to receiving the request for transfer servicing, transmitting order-receipt information and a dedicated program tool to the current information apparatus via a communication network, the dedicated program tool executes on the current information apparatus to perform steps of: determining configuration information stored on the current information apparatus including setup information, installed applications, and user data; obtaining from a user information relating to transfer of at least some of the configuration information; obtaining from the user private information stored on the current information apparatus exclusive of the configuration information; and storing the private information in an administrative information apparatus managed by an organization to which the user belongs; the manufacturer information apparatus receiving from the dedicated program tool the configuration information and access information for accessing the private information stored in the administrative information apparatus, and storing the configuration information and the access information in a user information area; producing the new information apparatus; configuring the new information apparatus including transferring the configuration information from the user information area to the new information apparatus; and wherein when the user received the new information apparatus, the private information is installed thereinto in accordance with the access information to complete installation of the new information apparatus.