Patent ID: 8271615

Claim:
A method for monitoring and managing the use of a plurality of software as a service (SaaS) applications within a common connection and database framework, the method comprising: receiving a request for monitoring and managing information and attributes related to a plurality of SaaS applications, the request being received via a single portal within a common connection and database framework; displaying an Internet-based interface that is configured to display, select and access information and attributes related to the plurality of SaaS applications; receiving a selection criteria for an object related to the plurality of SaaS applications within the Internet-based interface to be monitored or managed, and when monitoring is performed on the selected object: selecting at least one item from a list of available items for performing a monitoring operation related to the object selected; selecting at least one SaaS applications from a list of available SaaS applications related to the object selected; selecting a type of report needed for reporting monitoring results; selecting a time period for performing monitoring, when a time period is necessary; and providing a monitoring result of the monitoring operation for the at least one SaaS application and the at least one item selected; and determining when additional monitoring is required, and when management is performed on the selected object: selecting a management operation to be performed for the object selected; selecting at least one SaaS application from a list of available SaaS applications related to the object selected; selecting at least one item from a list of available items related to the object selected; performing the management operation on the at least one item selected and for the at least one SaaS application selected; storing a result of the management operation performed; and determining when additional management is required, wherein monitoring and managing is performed for selected objects, items and SaaS applications displayed in the Internet-based interface via the single portal within the common connection and database framework.