Abstract: In one aspect, a method of monitoring a computer apparatus by means of a management system via a network is provided, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the computer apparatus and the management system via the network, the computer apparatus being located at a first location and the management system being located at a second location remote from the first location; installing a controller and creating on the computer apparatus at least one virtual machine, the or each virtual machine being monitored by the controller; monitoring one or more characteristics of the computer apparatus and/or the or each virtual machine and generating monitoring results based on the characteristics; and reporting the monitoring results to the management system via the network. A corresponding system may also be provided.