Information management method, an information transfer apparatus included in the information management system and that system

The first modality unit 12a transmits the image file to the information transfer device 100 via the first network 50. Information transfer device 100 transfers the image file first recording device 16a connected to the second network 52 to one of the second recording device 16b and the third recording device 16c. For example, the first information providing apparatus 200a reads the image file from the first recording device 16a, provided on the third client 24 via the third network 54. Thereby reducing the amount of traffic in the network.