Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Shigetoshi Hatanaka

Masaichi Sawada

A consumable supply management system, connected to an image forming apparatus storing an apparatus identification data and using a consumable supply, includes a system controller and a management information storage. The management information storage stores management information including the apparatus identification data and a delivery-completed flag. The system controller includes a remaining amount information recording unit, a search unit, a delivery instruction unit, and an information clearing unit. The remaining amount information recording unit stores the management information to the management information storage when notification of remaining amount of the consumable supply is received. The search unit searches management information. The delivery instruction unit determines to deliver or suspend a delivery of a spare consumable supply in view of information clearing status of the management information and status of the delivery-completed flag. When consumable supply replacement information is received, the information clearing unit clears the management information.

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Kawaguchi, Japan

Shigetoshi Hatanaka