A management computer communicates with devices and an apparatus connected to a LAN through a LAN communication unit. A counter information obtaining unit obtains counter information of the devices through the LAN communication unit. A network information obtaining unit obtains network information from a DHCP server through the LAN communication unit. A Simple Object Access Protocol message generator generates a Simple Object Access Protocol message and a Simple Object Access Protocol communication unit transmits the Simple Object Access Protocol message to a service center through the Internet. A Simple Object Access Protocol message analyzer analyzes the Simple Object Access Protocol message received by the Simple Object Access Protocol communication unit from the service center through the Internet.