Patent ID: 8180779

Claim:
A method for using external references to validate at least one data object consolidation comprising: obtaining a first data object associated with a first product in a computer system of an organization; searching external objects for said first data object using an Internet search engine to return a first external reference list comprising external data objects external to said organization, wherein said first external reference list comprises a first hyperlink to a first webpage; obtaining a second data object associated with a second product in said computer system; searching external data objects for said second data object using said Internet search engine to return a second external reference list comprising external data objects external to said organization, wherein said second external reference list comprises a second hyperlink to a second webpage; obtaining the first hyperlink said first external reference list associated with said data object from said searching for said first data object; obtaining the second hyperlink in said second external reference list associated with said second data object from said searching for said second data object; comparing a first item from said first webpage to a second item from said second webpage to determine a match between said first product and said second product based on said external data objects based on similarity; generating a validation confidence level of said match; accepting an input consolidation confidence level; affirming a consolidation decision of said first data object and said second data object if said validation confidence level compared to said input consolidation confidence level is within a threshold, wherein said match comprises a determination that said first product is identical to said second product; and consolidating said first data object and said second data object in accordance with said consolidation decision.