From among identical modules stored on a module storage 112 and a module storage 212, an authenticated printing management module 130 selects the module with higher level information. For example, an ID authentication module 132 is stored in both the module storage 112 of an MFP 10 and the module storage 212 of a network interface card 11. The authenticated printing management module 130 selects the ID authentication module of the network interface card 11, in accordance with level information that represents an ID authentication module selection hierarchy. By so doing, where modules necessary for executing authenticated printing are included on both the MFP 10 and the network interface card 11, modules present on either the MFP 10 or the network interface card 11 are able to be selected appropriately for use.