METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING A SET OF INTEGRATED DATA SYSTEMS

• US 20150019484A1
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Mack
• Original Assignee: Robert Mack
• Inventors: Mack, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,417,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/622
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/212 with details for data modelling support
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2228 Indexing structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2365 Ensuring data consistency and integrity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/256 in federated or virtual databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/288 Entity relationship models
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/38 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a system for configuring, designing, and/or implementing integrated data modeling methods for configuring interoperability between multiple data system based upon compliance with data integration standards.

Claims

1. A method comprising

using a computer processor to access a first repository of metadata from a plurality of repositories of metadata stored in a computer memory;

using a computer processor to store a first entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the first entity-relationship diagram includes a plurality of data entities and a plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of data entity relationships of the first entity-relationship diagram links one of the plurality of data entities of the first entity-relationship diagram with only one of the plurality of data entities of the first entity-relationship diagram within the first entity-relationship diagram;

using a computer processor to store a first copy of a first master reference data standard entity in the first entity-relationship diagram, such that the step of storing the first copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the first entity-relationship diagram makes the first entity-relationship diagram a first integrated entity-relationship diagram of a plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams;

wherein the first master reference data standard entity includes a first unique key configured to ensure that each instance of a plurality of instances of the first master reference data standard entity is a unique instance and that the plurality of instances of the first master reference data standard entity are all unique instances of the first master reference data standard entity;

wherein the first master reference data standard entity is a type of data entity configured to integrate the first entity-relationship diagram with one or more of the other integrated entity-relationship diagrams of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams;

wherein each of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams includes a master reference data standard entity of a plurality of master reference data standard entities, wherein the plurality of master reference data standard entities includes the first master reference data standard entity;

wherein more than one of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams includes a copy of the first master reference data standard entity such that there are a plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard entities;

wherein the first unique key of the first master reference data standard entity is configured to form a first common entity relationship with the first unique key of any copy of the first master reference data standard entity in any entity-relationship diagram;

wherein a common entity relationship is a peer-to-peer type of relationship;

wherein each of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams is linked to one or more other integrated entity-relationship diagrams of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams by one or more common entity relationships of a plurality of common entity relationships, such that each common entity relationship of the plurality of common entity relationships links an integrated entity-relationship diagram of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams to any other integrated entity-relationship diagram of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams, if both that integrated entity-relationship diagram and any other integrated entity-relationship diagram contains a copy of the same master reference data standard entity of the plurality of master reference data standard entities.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a first plurality of unique master reference data records in computer memory at a first master data computer memory location;

using a computer processor to store data indicating the first master data computer memory location in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the data for the first master data computer memory location uniquely identifies the first master data computer memory location for the first plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein the first plurality of unique master reference data records is associated with the first master reference data standard entity in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the first plurality of master reference data records represent the plurality of instances of the first master reference data standard entity.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a first data content entity into the first entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the first data content entity is a type of data entity used to define and identify any type of data that may be stored in the computer memory;

wherein the first data content entity has associated with it a first data content instance;

wherein the first data content instance is stored in a first data content computer memory location which is unique;

wherein the first data content computer memory location is a data attribute of the first data content entity;

wherein each data entity contains a plurality of data attributes, that define and identify each data entity;

wherein the first data content entity is one of the plurality of data entities of the first entity-relationship diagram.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a second entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the second entity-relationship diagram includes a plurality of data entities and a plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of data entity relationships of the second entity-relationship diagram links one of the plurality of data entities of the second entity-relationship diagram with only one of the plurality of data entities of the second entity-relationship diagram within the second entity-relationship diagram;

using a computer processor to store a second copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the second entity-relationship diagram, such that the step of storing the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the second entity-relationship diagram makes the second entity-relationship diagram a second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams;

wherein the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity includes a first unique key configured to ensure that each instance of a plurality of instances of the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity is a unique instance and that the plurality of instances of the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity are all unique instances of the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising

wherein the first integrated entity-relationship diagram and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram are combined to form a first federated entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory;

wherein the first federated entity-relationship diagram includes the first common entity relationship that links the first unique key of the first master reference data standard entity in the first integrated entity-relationship diagram with the first unique key of the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the second integrated entity-relationship diagram.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising

consolidating the first integrated entity-relationship diagram and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram into a third integrated entity-relationship diagram in computer memory;

wherein the first integrated entity-relationship diagram and the second entity-relationship diagram are consolidated into the third integrated entity-relationship diagram by copying the first entity-relationship diagram and the second entity-relationship diagram into the third integrated entity-relationship diagram which was formally blank;

after consolidating the first and second integrated entity-relationship diagrams into the third entity-relationship diagram, detaching the data entity relationships linked to the second copy of the first master reference standard entity and attaching the data entity relationships formerly linked to the second copy of the first master reference standard entity, to the first copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the third integrated entity-relationship diagram such that the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity no longer has data entity relationship linkages to any other of the plurality of data entities in the third integrated entity-relationship diagram; and

thereafter removing the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the third integrated entity-relationship diagram.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising

data system instantiating a first integrated data system of a plurality of integrated data systems in computer memory from the first integrated entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the first integrated data system includes a first plurality of data system data files stored in computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of data system data files is configured from the first plurality of data entities from the first integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein a first master reference data standard file is configured from the first copy of the first master data standard entity of the first integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first master reference data standard file has a plurality of data records;

and further comprising using a computer processor to insure that each data record of the plurality of data records in the first master reference data standard file is a unique data record;

wherein each of a plurality of data records of the first master reference data standard file is a copy of a data record of a first plurality of unique master reference data records stored in computer memory at the first master data computer memory location.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising

database instantiating a first integrated database of a plurality of integrated databases in computer memory from the first integrated entity-relationship diagram in the first repository of metadata;

wherein the first integrated database includes a first plurality of database tables stored in computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of database tables is configured from the first plurality of data entities from the first integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first integrated database includes a first plurality of foreign key constraints stored in computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of foreign key constraints is configured from the first plurality of data entity relationships from the first integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein a first master reference data standard table is configured from the first copy of the first master data standard entity of the first integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first master reference data standard table has a plurality of data records;

and further comprising using a computer processor to insure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the first master reference data standard table is a unique data record;

wherein each of a plurality of data records of the first master reference data standard table is a copy of a data record of a first plurality of unique master reference data records stored in computer memory at the first master data computer memory location.

9. The method of claim 2 further comprising

using a computer processor to access a second repository of metadata from the plurality of repositories of metadata stored in a computer memory;

using a computer processor to store a second entity-relationship diagram in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the second entity-relationship diagram includes a plurality of data entities and a plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of data entity relationships of the second entity-relationship diagram links one of the plurality of data entities of the second entity-relationship diagram with only one of the plurality of data entities of the second entity-relationship diagram within the second entity-relationship diagram;

using a computer processor to store a second copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the second entity-relationship diagram, such that the step of storing the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the second entity-relationship diagram makes the second entity-relationship diagram a second integrated entity-relationship diagram of a plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams, such that the first and second repositories of metadata both contain the same metadata associated with the first master reference data standard entity;

using a computer processor to store data indicating the first master data computer memory location in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the first plurality of unique master reference data records is associated with the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the second repository of metadata.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a first data content entity into the second integrated entity-relationship diagram in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the first data content entity is a type of data entity used to define and identify any type of data that may be stored in the computer memory;

wherein the first data content entity is one of the plurality of data entities of the second entity-relationship diagram.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising

wherein the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata are combined to form a first federated entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory;

wherein the first federated entity-relationship diagram includes the first common entity relationship;

and wherein the first common entity relationship links the first unique key of the first copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the first entity-relationship diagram with a first unique key of the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the second entity-relationship diagram.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising

consolidating the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata into a third integrated entity-relationship diagram in computer memory, such that after consolidation the third integrated entity-relationship diagram has a plurality of data entities and a plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of data entity relationships of the third entity-relationship diagram links one of the plurality of data entities of the third entity-relationship diagram with only one of the plurality of data entities of the third entity-relationship diagram within the third entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first integrated entity-relationship diagram and the second entity-relationship diagram are consolidated into the third integrated entity-relationship diagram by copying the first entity-relationship diagram and the second entity relationship-diagram into the third integrated entity-relationship diagram which was formally blank;

after consolidating the first and second integrated entity-relationship diagrams into the third entity-relationship diagram, detaching the data entity relationships linked to the second copy of the first master reference standard entity and attaching the data entity relationships formerly linked to the second copy of the first master reference standard entity, to the first copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the third integrated entity-relationship diagram such that the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity no longer has data entity relationship linkages to any other of the plurality of data entities of the third integrated entity-relationship diagram; and

thereafter removing the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the third integrated entity-relationship diagram.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising

using a computer processor to access the first repository of metadata and the second repository of metadata stored in a computer memory;

using a computer processor to store the first copy of the second master reference data standard entity in the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata;

using a computer processor to store the second copy of the second master reference data standard entity in the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata;

wherein the second master reference data standard entity includes a second unique key configured to ensure that each instance of a plurality of instances of the second master reference data standard entity is a unique instance and that the plurality of instances of the second master reference data standard entity are all unique instances of the second master reference data standard entity;

wherein the second master reference data standard entity is a type of data entity configured to integrate the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata with one or more of the other integrated entity-relationship diagrams of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams;

wherein each of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams includes a master reference data standard entity of a plurality of master reference data standard entities, wherein the plurality of master reference data standard entities includes the second master reference data standard entity;

wherein more than one of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams includes a copy of the second master reference data standard entity such that there are a plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard entities;

wherein the second unique key of the second master reference data standard entity is configured to form a second common entity relationship with the second unique key of any copy of the second master reference data standard entity in any integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the second common entity relationship is a peer-to-peer type of relationship.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a second plurality of unique master reference data records in computer memory at a second master data computer memory location;

using a computer processor to store data indicating the second master data computer memory location in the first repository of metadata and in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the data for the second master data computer memory location uniquely identifies the second master data computer memory location for the second plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein the second plurality of unique master reference data records is associated with the second master reference data standard entity in the first repository of metadata and in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the second plurality of unique master reference data records represent the plurality of instances of the second master reference data standard entity.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a third unique key in the first copy of the second master reference data standard entity in the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata;

using a computer processor to store the third unique key in the second copy of the second master reference data standard entity in the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata;

wherein the second master reference data standard entity includes the third unique key configured to provide an alternate unique identification for each instance of a plurality of instances of the second master reference data standard entity;

wherein the third unique key of the second master reference data standard entity is configured to form a third common entity relationship with the third unique key of any copy of the second master reference data standard entity in any integrated entity-relationship diagram of the plurality of integrated entity-relationship diagrams;

wherein the third common entity relationship is a peer-to-peer type of relationship.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising

wherein the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata are combined to form a first federated entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory;

wherein the first federated entity-relationship diagram includes the first common entity relationship;

and wherein the first common entity relationship links the first unique key of the first copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the first entity-relationship diagram with a first unique key of the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the second entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first federated entity-relationship diagram includes the second common entity relationship;

and wherein the second common entity relationship links the second unique key of the first copy of the second master reference data standard entity from the first entity-relationship diagram with a second unique key of the second copy of the second master reference data standard entity from the second entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first federated entity-relationship diagram includes the third common entity relationship;

and wherein the third common entity relationship links the third unique key of the first copy of the second master reference data standard entity from the first entity-relationship diagram with a third unique key of the second copy of the second master reference data standard entity from the second entity-relationship diagram.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising

consolidating the first integrated entity-relationship diagram of the first repository of metadata and the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata into a third integrated entity-relationship diagram in the computer memory, such that after consolidation the third integrated entity-relationship diagram has a plurality of data entities and a plurality of data entity relationships stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of data entity relationships of the third entity-relationship diagram links one of the plurality of data entities of the third entity-relationship diagram with only one of the plurality of data entities of the third entity-relationship diagram within the third entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first integrated entity-relationship diagram and the second entity-relationship diagram are consolidated into the third integrated entity-relationship diagram by copying the first entity-relationship diagram and the second entity-relationship diagram into the third integrated entity-relationship diagram which was formally blank;

after consolidating the first and second integrated entity-relationship diagrams into the third entity-relationship diagram, detaching the data entity relationships linked to the second copy of the first master reference standard entity and attaching the data entity relationships formerly linked to the second copy of the first master reference standard entity, to the first copy of the first master reference data standard entity in the third integrated entity-relationship diagram such that the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity no longer has data entity relationship linkages to any other of the plurality of data entities of the third integrated entity-relationship diagram; and

thereafter removing the second copy of the first master reference data standard entity from the third integrated entity-relationship diagram;

after consolidating the first and second integrated entity-relationship diagrams into the third entity-relationship diagram, detaching the data entity relationships linked to the second copy of the second master reference standard entity and attaching the data entity relationships formerly linked to the second copy of the second master reference standard entity, to the first copy of the second master reference data standard entity in the third integrated entity-relationship diagram such that the second copy of the second master reference data standard entity no longer has data entity relationship linkages to any other of the plurality of data entities of the third integrated entity-relationship diagram; and

thereafter removing the second copy of the second master reference data standard entity from the third integrated entity-relationship diagram.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising

data system instantiating a first integrated data system of a plurality of integrated data systems in the computer memory from the second integrated entity-relationship diagram in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the first integrated data system includes a first plurality of data system data files stored in the computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of data system data files is configured from the plurality of data entities from the second integrated entity-relationship diagram in the second repository of metadata;

wherein a first master reference data standard file is configured from the second copy of the first master data standard entity of the second integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first master reference data standard file has a plurality of data records;

and further comprising using a computer processor to insure that each data record of the plurality of data records in the first master reference data standard file is a unique data record;

wherein each of a plurality of data records of the second copy of the first master reference data standard file is a copy of a data record of a first plurality of unique master reference data records stored in computer memory at the first master data computer memory location;

wherein a second master reference data standard file is configured from the second copy of the second master data standard entity of the second integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the second master reference data standard file has a plurality of data records;

and further comprising using a computer processor to insure that each data record of the plurality of data records in the second master reference data standard file is a unique data record;

wherein each of a plurality of data records of the second master reference data standard file is a copy of a data record of a second plurality of unique master reference data records stored in computer memory at the second master data computer memory location;

wherein a first data content file is configured from the first data content entity of the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata;

wherein the first data content file has associated with it a first plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first plurality of data content instances is stored in a first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each of the first plurality of data content instances is stored at a uniquely identified data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each data record of the data content file contains data used to uniquely identify the data content computer memory location of one data content instance from the plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first data content file is one of the plurality of data system data files of the first integrated data system.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising

database instantiating a first integrated database of a plurality of integrated databases in the computer memory from the second integrated entity-relationship diagram in the second repository of metadata;

wherein the first integrated database includes a first plurality of database tables stored in the computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of database tables is configured from the plurality of data entities from the second integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first integrated database includes a first plurality of foreign key constraints stored in the computer memory, such that each of the first plurality of foreign key constraints is configured from the plurality of data entity relationships from the second integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein a first master reference data standard table is configured from the second copy of the first master data standard entity of the second integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the first master reference data standard table has a plurality of data records;

and further comprising using a computer processor to insure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the first master reference data standard table is a unique data record;

wherein each of a plurality of data records of the first master reference data standard table is a copy of a data record of a first plurality of unique master reference data records stored in computer memory at the first master data computer memory location;

wherein a second master reference data standard table is configured from the second copy of the second master data standard entity of the second integrated entity-relationship diagram;

wherein the second master reference data standard table has a plurality of data records;

and further comprising using a computer processor to insure that each data record of the plurality of data records of the second master reference data standard table is a unique data record;

wherein each of a plurality of data records of the second master reference data standard table is a copy of a data record of a second plurality of unique master reference data records stored in computer memory at the second master data computer memory location;

wherein a first data content table is configured from the first data content entity of the second integrated entity-relationship diagram of the second repository of metadata;

wherein the first data content table has associated with it a first plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first plurality of data content instances is stored in a first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each of the first plurality of data content instances is stored at a uniquely identified data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each data record of the data content table contains data used to uniquely identify the data content computer memory location of one data content instance from the plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first data content table is one of the plurality of database tables of the first integrated database.

20. A method comprising

using a computer processor to access a first database in a computer memory;

wherein the first database includes a plurality of database tables and a plurality of foreign key constraints stored in the computer memory, such that each of the plurality of foreign key constraints links one of the plurality of database tables with only one of the plurality of database tables within the first database;

using a computer processor to store a copy of a first master reference data standard table in the first database, such that the step of storing the copy of the first master reference data standard table in the first database makes the first database a first integrated database of a plurality of integrated databases;

wherein the first master reference data standard table is a type of database table configured to integrate the first database with one or more of the other integrated databases of the plurality of integrated databases;

wherein each of the plurality of integrated databases includes at least one master reference data standard table of a plurality of master reference data standard tables, wherein the plurality of master reference data standard tables includes the first master reference data standard table;

wherein more than one of the plurality of integrated databases includes the first master reference data standard table such that there are a plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure a first data system access path of the plurality of data system access paths by instantiating a first unique index upon each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases which includes the same first master reference data standard table;

using a computer processor to enforce each of the plurality of first unique indexes of each copy of the first master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases, where each first unique index is programmed to reject the storage in each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table of any duplicate data records from the first plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein each master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases is comprised of a plurality of unique master reference data records only from a first plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein the first data system access path is configured to directly join data records from multiple integrated databases of the plurality of integrated databases wherein a first unique master reference data record from a first copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table is the same first unique master reference data record from any other copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table in any other integrated database of the plurality of integrated databases.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table from each of the plurality of integrated databases, which includes a copy of the first master reference data standard table, such that each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard table is populated with unique master reference data records from the first plurality of unique master reference data records independent of the population of unique master reference data records in any other first master reference data standard table in any of the plurality of integrated databases.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a first data content table into the first integrated database;

wherein the first data content table is a type of database table used to define and identify any type of data content that may be stored in the computer memory;

wherein the first data content table is one of the plurality of database tables of the first integrated database; and

wherein the first data content table includes a plurality of data records.

24. The method of claim 23

wherein the first data content table has associated with it a first plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first plurality of data content instances is stored in a first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each of the first plurality of data content instances is stored at a uniquely identified data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each data record of the plurality of data records of the data content table contains data used to uniquely identify a data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein the first data content table is one of the plurality of database tables of the first integrated database.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a copy of a second master reference data standard table of the plurality of master reference data standard tables, in the first integrated database;

wherein the second master reference data standard table is a type of database table configured to further integrate the first integrated database with one or more of the other integrated databases of the plurality of integrated databases;

wherein more than one of the plurality of integrated databases includes the second master reference data standard table such that there are a plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard table.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure a second data system access path of the plurality of data system access paths by instantiating a second unique index upon each copy of the plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases which includes the same second master reference data standard table;

using a computer processor to enforce each of the plurality of second unique indexes of each copy of the second master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases, where each second unique index is programmed to reject the storage in each copy of the plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard table of any duplicate data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein each copy of each second master reference data standard table of the plurality of master reference data standard tables in each of the plurality of integrated databases is comprised of a plurality of unique master reference data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure a third data system access path of the plurality of data system access paths by instantiating a third unique index upon each copy of the second master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases which includes the same second master reference data standard table;

using a computer processor to enforce each of the plurality of third unique indexes of each copy of the second master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases, where each third unique index is programmed to reject the storage in each copy of the second master reference data standard table of any duplicate data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein each second master reference data standard table in each of the plurality of integrated databases is comprised of a plurality of unique master reference data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure each copy of the plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard table from each of the plurality of integrated databases, which includes a copy of the second master reference data standard table, such that each copy of the second master reference data standard table is populated with unique master reference data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records independent of the population of unique master reference data records in any other second master reference data standard table in any of the plurality of integrated databases.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a first data content table into the first integrated database;

wherein the first data content table is a type of database table used to define and identify any type of data content that may be stored in the computer memory;

wherein the first data content table is one of the plurality of database tables of the first integrated database; and

wherein the first data content table includes a plurality of data records.

30. The method of claim 29

wherein the first data content table has associated with it a first plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first plurality of data content instances is stored in a first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each of the first plurality of data content instances is stored at a uniquely identified data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each data record of the plurality of data records of the data content table contains data used to uniquely identify a data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein the first data content table is one of the plurality of database tables of the first integrated database.

31. A method comprising

using a computer processor to access a first data system in a computer memory;

wherein the first data system includes a plurality of data system data files and a first computer program of a plurality of computer programs to manage the plurality of data system data files of the first data system;

wherein the first computer program provides methods to create, update, and delete one or more data records from the plurality of data system data files from the first data system;

using a computer processor to store a first copy of a first master reference data standard file in the first data system, such that the step of storing the first copy of the first master reference data standard file in the first data system makes the first data system a first integrated data system of a plurality of integrated data systems;

wherein the first master reference data standard file is a type of data system data file configured to integrate the first data system with one or more of the other integrated data systems of the plurality of integrated data systems;

wherein each of the plurality of integrated data systems includes at least one master reference data standard file of a plurality of master reference data standard files, wherein the plurality of master reference data standard files includes the first master reference data standard file;

wherein more than one of the plurality of integrated data systems includes the first master reference data standard file such that there are a plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure a first data system access path of a plurality of data system access paths by instantiating a first unique index upon each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems which includes a copy of the first master reference data standard file, such that there are a plurality of first unique indexes for the corresponding plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file;

using a computer processor to enforce each of the plurality of first unique indexes of each copy of the first master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems, wherein each first unique index is programmed to reject the storage in each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file of any duplicate data records from the first plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein each master reference data standard file of the plurality of master reference standard files, in each of the plurality of integrated data systems is comprised of a plurality of unique master reference data records only from a first plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein the first data system access path is configured to directly join data records from multiple integrated data systems of the plurality of integrated data systems wherein a first unique master reference data record from the first copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file is the same first unique master reference data record from any other copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file in any other integrated data system of the plurality of integrated data systems.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file from each of the plurality of integrated data systems, which includes the first copy of the first master reference data standard file, such that each copy of the plurality of copies of the first master reference data standard file is populated with unique master reference data records from the first plurality of unique master reference data records independent of the population of unique master reference data records in any other first master reference data standard file in any of the plurality of integrated data systems.

34. The method of claim 33

wherein the first integrated data system is an integrated database system;

wherein the first computer program is a database management system program;

wherein the database management system program stores in the computer memory the plurality of data system data files as a plurality of database tables;

wherein the database management system program stores in the computer memory the first master reference data standard file as a first master reference data standard table;

wherein the plurality of integrated data systems contains a plurality of integrated databases, such that the integrated databases and the integrated data systems are configured to directly join data records from multiple integrated data systems and multiple integrated databases using the first data system access path;

wherein the plurality of first master reference data standard tables from the plurality of integrated databases and the plurality of first master reference data standard files from the plurality of integrated data systems include data records which are from the first plurality of unique master reference data records and do not include any other data records.

35. The method of claim 33 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a first data content file into the first integrated data system;

wherein the first data content file is a type of data system data file used to define and identify any type of data content that may be stored in the computer memory;

wherein the first data content file is one of the plurality of data system data files of the first integrated data system; and

wherein the first data content file includes a plurality of data records.

36. The method of claim 35

wherein the first data content file has associated with it a first plurality of data content instances;

wherein the first plurality of data content instances is stored in a first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each of the first plurality of data content instances is stored at a uniquely identified data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein each data record of the plurality of data records of the data content file contains data used to uniquely identify a data content computer memory location of the first plurality of data content computer memory locations;

wherein the first data content file is one of the plurality of data system data files of the first integrated data system.

37. The method of claim 33 further comprising

using a computer processor to store a copy of a second master reference data standard file of the plurality of master reference data standard files, in the first integrated data system;

wherein the second master reference data standard file is a type of data system data file configured to further integrate the first integrated data system with one or more of the other integrated data systems of the plurality of integrated data systems;

wherein more than one of the plurality of integrated data systems includes the second master reference data standard file such that there are a plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard file.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure a second data system access path of the plurality of data system access paths by instantiating a second unique index upon each copy of the plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems which includes the same second master reference data standard file;

using a computer processor to enforce each of the plurality of second unique indexes of each copy of the second master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems, where each second unique index is programmed to reject the storage in each copy of the plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard file of any duplicate data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein each copy of each second master reference data standard file of the plurality of master reference data standard files in each of the plurality of integrated data systems is comprised of a plurality of unique master reference data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure a third data system access path of the plurality of data system access paths by instantiating a third unique index upon each copy of the second master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems which includes a copy of the second master reference data standard file;

using a computer processor to enforce each of the plurality of third unique indexes of each copy of the second master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems, where each third unique index is programmed to reject the storage in each copy of the second master reference data standard file of any duplicate data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records;

wherein each second master reference data standard file in each of the plurality of integrated data systems is comprised of a plurality of unique master reference data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising

using a computer processor to configure each copy of the plurality of copies of the second master reference data standard file from each of the plurality of integrated data systems, which includes a copy of the second master reference data standard file, such that each copy of the second master reference data standard file is populated with unique master reference data records from the second plurality of unique master reference data records independent of the population of unique master reference data records in any other second master reference data standard file in any of the plurality of integrated data systems.

41. The method of claim 40

wherein the first integrated data system is an integrated database system;

wherein the first computer program is a database management system program;

wherein the database management system program stores in the computer memory the plurality of data system data files as a plurality of database tables;

wherein the database management system program stores in the computer memory the first master reference data standard file as a first master reference data standard table;

wherein the plurality of integrated data systems contains a plurality of integrated databases, such that the integrated databases and the integrated data systems are configured to directly join data records from multiple integrated data systems and multiple integrated databases using the first data system access path;

wherein the plurality of first master reference data standard tables from the plurality of integrated databases and the plurality of first master reference data standard files from the plurality of integrated data systems include data records which are from the first plurality of unique master reference data records and do not include any other data records;

wherein the database management system program stores in the computer memory the second master reference data standard file as a second master reference data standard table;

wherein the plurality of integrated data systems contains a plurality of integrated databases, such that the integrated databases and the integrated data systems are configured to directly join data records from multiple integrated data systems and multiple integrated databases using the second data system access path;

wherein the plurality of integrated data systems contains a plurality of integrated databases, such that the integrated databases and the integrated data systems are configured to directly join data records from multiple integrated data systems and multiple integrated databases using the third data system access path;

wherein the plurality of second master reference data standard tables from the plurality of integrated databases and the plurality of second master reference data standard files from the plurality of integrated data systems include data records which are from the second plurality of unique master reference data records and do not include any other data records.