Abstract: A system and method is described for collaborative viewing, editing, and interacting in an asynchronous manner with shared data utilizing conventionally available programs, web browsers, and email. A server capable of interacting with, modifying, integrating, and exporting shared data from a data source, generates and sends a data file via email using technology such as HTML or XML. The user accesses the email and makes changes, modifications, additions, or provides navigational directions to the system based on the fields presented in the data file. When done, the user completes the session and communicates the changes or changed data file to the result server. The results of the user's work are received and integrated by the result server back into the data repository. In one embodiment, the result server then generates and sends new views of the data and latest changes to the user.

Abstract: A database system and method for adjusting a value within a database configured as a multidimensional aggregation tree (MAT) having a plurality of leaves. A value associated with a vertex within the MAT is modified, propagated down toward the leaves of the MAT and reconciled up through the tree from the leaf to determine if there is a locked vertex. If there is a locked vertex, a value is adjusted down toward the leaves from the locked vertex, wherein adjusting down includes computing a value for a leaf associated with the locked vertex.