A data management and archive method and apparatus, for implementation in an automated system to monitor and manage status, performance and configuration data for networked storage components. Analysis and cross-correlation of data related to the storage components can be done individually, collectively and/or comparatively. A collection manager component of a workload analyzer is implemented to start and stop data collection. The collection manager includes a command and control module that coordinates requests of data from at least one collection agent configured on at least one host connected to the storage component(s). The collection manager manages collection of data and effects file transfer of collected data according to a user specified policy, and maintains status of the data collected. The user specified policy allows the user to specify data collection “shifts” (i.e. periodicity).