Patent ID: 7406471

Claim:
A method for processing an event in an event processing system comprising a plurality of databases, wherein the event processing system is associated with a plurality of accounts, and wherein each database in the plurality of databases is configured to store account data for a unique subset of accounts in the plurality of accounts, the method comprising: receiving, at a first server configured to manage a first database in the plurality of databases, an event associated with an account in the plurality of accounts, wherein processing the event requires access to account data for the account, and wherein the first database stores account data for a first subset of accounts; if the account is included in the first subset of accounts, retrieving the account data for the account from the first database; else if the account is not included in the first subset of accounts: accessing a data structure stored on the first database, wherein the data structure includes, for each account in the plurality of accounts, an identifier uniquely identifying said each account and location information indicating a database in the plurality of databases on which account data for said each account is stored; determining, based on the data structure, a second database in the plurality of databases that stores the account data for the account, wherein the second database stores account data for a second subset of accounts distinct from the first subset; and retrieving the account data for the account from the second database; and processing the event utilizing the account data for the account.