DMI 
Desktop Management Interface 
In most cases, a system administrator finds out about a computer problem only when the affected user calls and complains. DMI provides a more efficient means of reporting system problems. DMI-compliant computers can automatically send status information to a central management system over a network. For example, if a hard drive's error rate exceeds a specified limit, the computer could report the problem, via DMI, to a central management system, which in turn would notify systems personnel. The DMI standard is maintained by the Desktop Management Task Force, an industry consortium that includes companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Digital, and Hewlett-Packard.