A technique is disclosed which makes it possible to remotely monitor electronic apparatus which do not exist on a wide area network. Electronic apparatus which are used in a non-connected state to a wide area network are remotely monitored using a plurality of low order monitoring apparatus and a high order monitoring apparatus. Each of the low order monitoring apparatus issues, when a particular one of the electronic apparatus which makes an object of monitoring is connected thereto or a recording medium removed from the particular electronic apparatus is connected thereto, a notification of apparatus management information acquired from the particular electronic apparatus to the high order monitoring apparatus. The high order monitoring apparatus unitarily monitors the apparatus management information acquired through the low order monitoring apparatus.