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.