Patent ID: 8248647

Claim:
A system comprising: a host configured to send a transfer information command via an electronic message to a transfer source apparatus for instructing the transfer source apparatus to transfer data to at least one transfer destination apparatus, and to further simultaneously send the transfer information command via the electronic message to the at least one transfer destination apparatus, the electronic message containing the transfer information command including transfer source information in a TO address of the electronic message and transfer destination information in a CC address of the electronic message; a first transfer apparatus; and a second transfer apparatus, each of the first and second transfer apparatus being configured to serve as either the transfer source apparatus or the transfer destination apparatus and each having an analyzing section to determine whether the respective first or second transfer apparatus is the transfer source apparatus or the transfer destination apparatus on the basis of the transfer information command, wherein the at least one transfer destination apparatus is configured to send confirmation information to the transfer source apparatus after receiving the transfer information command from the host, and wherein the transfer source apparatus is configured to, in response to receipt of the transfer information command, enter a standby mode in order to receive the confirmation information from the at least one transfer destination apparatus, and to start transferring the data to the transfer destination apparatus after receiving the confirmation information from the transfer destination apparatus.