Patent ID: 7120830

Claim:
A system for coordinating the maintenance of various mail processing machines at different locations, comprising: at least one mail processing machine, the maintenance of which is to be coordinated; a controller associated with the mail processing machine, including a monitor and a data input device, wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to the condition of the mail processing machine, and wherein the controller is further configured to transmit the data to at least a second location; a database server and a communications connection that provides electronic access to other locations, wherein the database server is configured to receive information from the controller relating to the condition of the mail processing machine or mail processing machines, wherein the database server is configured to store the information electronically such that the information may be later analyzed, wherein the information includes historical information including computer-generated data relating to a machine failure, wherein the database server is further configured such that upon receipt of a request, the database server causes an alert to be transmitted to another location, thereby initiating a process to alter the condition of the mail processing machine; and a remote computer configured to receive the alert, wherein the remote computer is further configured to relay the content of the alert to a maintenance technician; a process control program programmed to halt in-progress production jobs upon detection of a failure and resume in-progress production jobs upon resolution of the failure wherein the in-progress production job includes a plurality of mail items; and a performance measurement system configured to track mail items processed for testing while the in-progress production job is halted.