A generic embedded device (GED) and a mechanism for retrieving and transmitting information of various intelligent-maintenance (IM) applications are disclosed. The GED is an object-oriented and cross-platform device built in an embedded real-time operating system, and can be installed in various kinds of information equipment, and has a generic application interface for the future development of application modules. The present invention enables all kinds of information equipment to retrieve, collect, manage, and analyze equipment data for IM applications; and further to receive/transmit the IM-related equipment information wired or wireless from/to remote clients via communication agents through Internet/Intranet.