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 that the status of one of the monitored object, and, if the data indicating that the status of a monitored object is not normal, for verifying that the status of a monitored object is not normal: (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.