An embodiment of the invention comprises a method for use with an integrated solution appliance under control of a management tool, the appliance having at least a console and a plurality of servers. The method includes providing the management tool with a CAM configured to participate in managing the appliance when used to implement a deployed solution. The CAM is furnished with a CTM for use in acquiring appliance level information, which includes specified metadata pertaining to each server. The CAM is also furnished with a COM, wherein the COM is operable to interact with components of the management tool, and is further operable to use information acquired by the CTM to selectively modify one or more commands issued by the management tool, which respectively affect operation of the appliance.