To efficiently perform data collection with plural sensors.

A sensor configuration control unit 12 of a data collection controller 1 specifies plural sensors 2 at adjacent locations in a sensor zone A and compares data for a definite period retrieved from associated data storage units 10. When the data values from the both sensors are within a similar range, one sensor is set as a main sensor 21; a value (10_2) in the data storage unit associated with the location of the other sensor 22 in an association table 11 is changed to a value (10_1) indicating the data storage unit 10 of the main sensor 21; and the other sensor 22 is stopped. When receiving a data request specifying the location of the sensor 22 from a service program 31, a read-out control unit 13 reads data from the data storage unit 10_1 associated with the location in the association table 11 and returns the data.