Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operation of a plurality of computer-based systems connected to a server, each computer-based system having a microprocessor that executes one or more software applications is provided wherein a separate programmable nub gathers information about the computer-based system to generate black box data, the black box information is communicated over a communications link to a server upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event and the black box data is processed to generate data that is used to monitor the operation of the plurality of computer-based systems connected to the server. An apparatus residing on a computer-based system for remotely monitoring the computer-based system is also provided.