SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SHARING A SINGLE INSTANCE OF A DATABASE STORED USING A TENANT OF A MULTI-TENANT ON-DEMAND DATABASE SYSTEM

• US 20110213797A1
• Filed: 02/04/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Hess, Ronald Vance
• Granted Patent: US 8,713,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/242 Query formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database

Abstract

In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for sharing a single instance of a database stored using a tenant of a multi-tenant on-demand database system. These mechanisms and methods for sharing a single instance of a database stored using a tenant of a multi-tenant on-demand database system can provide a single instance of a database that is shared amongst tenants of a multi-tenant on-demand database system. The ability to provide a single instance of a database that is shared amongst tenants of a multi-tenant on-demand database system can enable the database to be managed or otherwise maintained in a central location.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a tangible computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for storing a single instance of a database using a first tenant of a multi-tenant on-demand database system; and

computer code for providing access to the single instance of the database to at least one second tenant of the multi-tenant on-demand database system.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the single instance of the database is published by the first tenant for use by the at least one second tenant.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the first tenant and the at least one second tenant are each a customer of the multi-tenant on-demand database system.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the single instance of the database includes at least one table.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the single instance of the database stores reference data that is un-editable by the at least one second tenant.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the single instance of the database is stored in a location in memory of the multi-tenant on-demand database system that is dedicated to the first tenant.

7. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein providing access to the single instance of the database to the at least one second tenant includes providing to the at least one second tenant access to the location in memory of the multi-tenant on-demand database system that is dedicated to the first tenant.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the access includes read-only access.

9. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the access is provided to the at least one second tenant in response to a determination that the at least one second tenant is authorized to access the single instance of the database.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the computer program product is operable such that it is determined that the at least one second tenant is authorized to access the single instance of the database by determining that an internet protocol (IP) address utilized by the at least one second tenant is predetermined to be allowed to access the single instance of the database.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising computer code for receiving a query from the at least second tenant.

12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the query includes a string entered by a user associated with the at least one second tenant.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the string includes data to be looked up in the database.

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the query further includes data automatically generated by an interface utilized by the user to enter the string.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the data includes an identifier of the first tenant, an identifier of the database, and a data service to be utilized to look up the string in the table.

16. The computer program product of claim 11, further comprising computer code for parsing the query.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising computer code for performing the query based on the parsing.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising computer code for returning results of the query to the at least one second tenant.

19. A method, comprising:

storing a single instance of a database using a tenant of a multi-tenant on-demand database system; and

providing access to the single instance of the database to at least one second tenant of the multi-tenant on-demand database system.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor for;

storing a single instance of a database using a tenant of a multi-tenant on-demand database system; and

providing access to the single instance of the database at least one second tenant of the multi-tenant on-demand database system.

21. A method for transmitting code, comprising:

transmitting code to store a single instance of a database using a tenant of a multi-tenant on-demand database system; and

computer code for provide access to the single instance of the database to at least one second tenant of the multi-tenant on-demand database system.