Centrally managing and monitoring software as a service (saas) applications

A program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium for monitoring and managing the use of a plurality of software as a service (SaaS) applications within a common connection and database framework, the program causing a computer to perform steps 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 and 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 need for reporting monitoring results;
• selecting a time period for performing monitoring, if the 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 if 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 if additional management is required,
• wherein, if desired, 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.

A system for monitoring and managing the use of a plurality of software as a service (SaaS) applications within a common connection and database framework, the system comprising:

• a plurality of databases configured to store information and attributes related to a plurality of SaaS applications;
• an Internet-based interface configured to display, select and access the information and attributes related to the plurality of SaaS applications,
• a first data access layer configured to establish data communications between said Internet-based interface and said plurality of databases based on a command received via said Internet-based interface, the data communications including at least retrieving and storing the information and attributes related to the plurality of SaaS applications,
• a push-pull data layer configured to push data to and pull data from the plurality of SaaS applications based on a command received via said Internet-based interface;
• and
• a second data access layer configured to established data communications between said push-pull data layer and the plurality of SaaS applications based on a command received from said Internet-based interface;
• a first network interface configured to establish a connection to said Internet-based interface from a third-party apparatus via a public network;
• and
• a second network interface configured to establish a connection between the plurality of SaaS applications and said push-pull data layer via the public network, wherein, if desired, the system is configured to monitor and manage selected information and attributes of the plurality of SaaS applications available within said Internet-based interface via a single portal to the via said first network interface.

An apparatus for monitoring and managing the use of a plurality of software as a service (SaaS) applications within a common connection and database framework, the apparatus comprising:

• an Internet-based interface configured to display, select and access information and attributes related to a plurality of SaaS applications;
• a first data access layer configured to establish data communications between said SaaS monitoring and managing apparatus and a plurality of databases based on a command received via said Internet-based interface, the data communications including storing and retrieving the information and attributes stored in the plurality of databases;
• a push-pull data layer configured to push data to and pull data from the plurality of SaaS applications based on a command received via said Internet-based interface;
• and
• a second data access layer configured to established data communications between said SaaS monitoring and managing apparatus and the plurality of SaaS applications based on a command received from said push-pull data layer,
• wherein, if desired, said SaaS monitoring and managing apparatus is configured to monitor and manage selected information and attributes of the plurality of SaaS applications available within said Internet-based interface via a single portal to said SaaS monitoring and managing apparatus.