Expert knowledge from machine manufacturers is applied quickly at any time to a machine via the Internet, by providing a main computer (host) for the production and provision of machine-related data and/or services and a machine-side working computer (client). The machine-side working computer is connected to the main computer via a data communication link. Machine state data from the machine-side working computer can be acquired in real time and transmitted to the main Computer. Machine-related data and/or services generated by the main computer as a function of such machine state data can be received by an analysis and evaluation unit.