(57) A communications network (10) comprises a plurality of network sites (12), to each
of which a service terminal (16,18), a maintenance terminal (20), or a server (22)
may be connected. Each service terminal (16,18), which may be an ATM or a point-of-sale
terminal, has at least one service element (44), such as a card transport or currency
bin, that is to be maintained in operation. Intelligent agent programs (50) move between
terminals (16,18,20) collecting information from or imparting information to each
terminal (16,18,20) visited. The information that is collected or imparted is used
for facilitating efficient maintenance of the service terminals (16,18).
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