Patent ID: 7533115

Claim:
A processor-implemented method of managing a persistent federated folder within a federated content management system that includes a plurality of heterogeneous federated datastores, the method comprising: searching, from a local datastore, the plurality of heterogeneous federated datastores; creating the persistent federated folder on the local federated datastore within the federated content management system; wherein the persistent federated folder collectively saves federated search results from each of the respective heterogeneous federated datastores, to act as a container in a workflow process, and to act as a container for a set of objects with similar characteristics, and is further stored in a non-transient manner to permit data stored in the persistent federated folder to be queried with a federated query; mapping the persistent federated folder includes a virtual entity mapped to a plurality of entities in the local federated datastores; updating the persistent federated folder by modifying a members list, and updating attributes of the persistent federated folder; and selectively deleting the persistent federated folder, wherein deleting the persistent federated folder does not delete items referenced in the persistent federated folder.