Jeff,
Here is a short definition of IMEI. Basically, it is an interface that uses the Intel ME hardware features to enable an interaction between high- and low-level hardware systems in a system. With this Intel feature, the administrators can now handle the tasks without intervention of the human beings. This has simplified various tasks in a computer system - See more at:
http://intelmanagementengine.com/intel-technologies/all-about-intel-management-engine-interface.html