1. In a computer system having a processor, memory and a network interface, an apparatus for monitoring a plurality of device or process objects operatively coupled to the computer system over a computer network, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for monitoring the status of the plurality of monitored objects over the computer network; (b) means, coupled to the means for monitoring, for receiving data indicating the status of one of the monitored objects, and, if the data indicates the status of the monitored object is not normal, for verifying that the status of the monitored object is not normal by: (b1) sending a verification query to said one monitored object, and (b2) receiving a response to the verification query from said one monitored object confirming or denying abnormal status thereof; and (c) a memory for storing data relating to the status of the monitored object wherein the memory stores a plurality of virtual state-machines relating to the monitored objects; and (d) means, coupled to the memory, for presenting data relating to the monitored objects.