Enhanced system management and user assistance through software monitoring

A data utilization installation has various components such as a management computer, a mobile computer system, an access point, a printer, and application software. The management system collects status information from the components, and evaluates whether the components necessary for a particular user e.g. of the mobile computer system, to carry out a task, are ready for use. Status information is communicated to the user based on the evaluation by the management system. The management system of the utilization installation may be located remote from the other components of the installation, and communicate via the Internet or other wide area medium, or the management system may be located locally to the user, e.g. in a branch management station, or in one of the devices to be employed by the user, including the mobile computer system that at least in part may be worn or otherwise carried by the user. In one embodiment, each of the devices may carry an indicator such as a signal light, that is controlled by the management system to communicate to the user whether or not the needed data handling components are ready for use in carrying out the task of the user.