The subject of the invention is a device for managing configuration and for managing maintenance of apparatus. It relates to a device for managing configuration and maintenance of a number N of items of apparatus EQi integrated into a system, i denoting an identification index for the apparatus EQi and lying between 2 and N. The system includes a main computer RC. The apparatus EQi exchanges data with the main computer RC through a communication network. The apparatus EQi being able to be integrated into the system or to be removed from the system. According to the invention, the device includes at least one data concentrator C, N radio tags ETi, each tag ETi is fixed securely to the apparatus EQi, a number M of communication nodes Nj, where j denotes an identification index for the communication node Nj, j lies between 2 and M, M is less than or equal to N. According to the invention, a communication node Nj has a fixed position related to the system (1) and the node Nj is devised so as to exchange data with radio tags ETi through a contactless link, all the nodes Nj are linked to a data concentrator C by a wired link.