An identity management system can reside within the cloud computing environment. The identity management system can be linked to systems, such as virtual machines, applications, and/or appliances, both inside and outside the cloud computing environment to provide identity management to those systems. In order to provide identity management, the identity management system can be configured to link to the systems in order to receive, store, maintain, and provide identity information. The information can identify items (users, devices, products, services) associated with the systems. The identity management system can be configured to store and maintain the information in records. The identity management system can also be configured to charge owners and operators of the systems for the identity management.