Abstract: Techniques are described relating to the aggregation and use of local retail information for the purpose of providing a wide variety of valuable services to consumers and retailers.

Abstract: Techniques are described relating to the aggregation and use of local retail information for the purpose of providing a wide variety of valuable services to consumers and retailers.

Abstract: Techniques are described relating to the aggregation and use of local retail information for the purpose of providing a wide variety of valuable services to consumers and retailers.

Abstract: A uniform object model integrates objects defined by foreign type systems into a single integrated object oriented system. The type system for the integrated object oriented system supports a superset of features from foreign object systems. The uniform object model approach converts foreign objects into uniform object model objects defined by the integrated type system and layers onto the uniform object model objects additional members supported by the integrated type system. Adapters integrate foreign objects and data sources into the integrated object oriented system by implementing foreign objects as full fledged objects of the system. The foreign object adapters are bi-directional such that objects, registered in the system, are exposed to foreign object systems. During run time, clients obtain a connection to the data source adapter, which supports the target data source, to execute transactions in the target data source.