Patent ID: 8082268

Claim:
A data storage medium containing instructions which, when executed, cause one or more computers to perform a method comprising: a. accessing a plurality of incompatible databases of different types, wherein each of said plurality of incompatible databases contains live source data and associated metadata; b. retrieving at least a portion of the metadata from each of said plurality of incompatible databases; c. storing said portion of the metadata in a dimensional format within a metadata repository; d. creating a graphical user interface; e. receiving a data retrieval request through said graphical user interface in response to user input, and in response to receiving the data retrieval request: i. using said portion of the metadata to search the live source data in said plurality of incompatible databases; ii. retrieving responsive source data, wherein responsive source data includes live source data that is responsive to the data retrieval request; and iii. dynamically assembling a multidimensional view of at least a portion of said responsive source data without first accessing a persistent repository of said responsive source data created after the data retrieval request is received, wherein the multidimensional view includes at least three dimensions; f. displaying a representation of at least a portion of said responsive source data in the assembled multidimensional view on said graphical user interface; g. receiving a request to modify a portion of the displayed assembled multidimensional view from said graphical user interface in response to user input; and h. in response to receiving the request to modify: i. directly updating one or more of said plurality of incompatible databases consistent with the request to modify; and ii. directly updating the assembled multidimensional view consistent with the request to modify.