Patent ID: 8650225

Claim:
A method for managing data, comprising: creating and maintaining a database that utilizes a single integrated database schema to store, in a single location, operational data from a plurality of software products that are associated with a plurality of platforms; for each of the plurality of software products that are associated with the plurality of platforms: using the single integrated database schema to configure at least one software setting for an associated software product, the at least one software setting comprising a parameter directing the associated software product to operate in accordance with the single integrated database schema, wherein configuring the parameter causes each of the plurality of IT management software products to direct the operation of the associated software product in accordance with the single integrated database schema such that IT operational data is stored in the database using the single integrated database schema when created by the associated software product, wherein the IT operational data comprises data relating to assets and inventory, data relating to access rights and privileges, and data relating to policy and rules; and upon creation of the operational data comprising at least one of data relating to assets and inventory, data relating to access rights and privileges, and data relating to policy and rules by the associated software product, using the single integrated database schema to store the operational data comprising at least one of data relating to assets and inventory, data relating to access rights and privileges, and data relating to policy and rules in the single location; and accessing the database via the single integrated database schema common to the plurality of software products associated with the plurality of platforms.