Abstract: A method and system for providing remote access to heterogeneous information sources from computing devices including but not limited to personal computers, laptop computers, PDAs, cellular telephones is presented. A middle-tier server is provided in a multi-tier environment for allowing a data-centric approach to accessing, modifying and updating content located at remote data sources. The middle-tier server provides functionality for a mobile (or similar) user to perform a search query, request for document and/or data, update remote data, and perform commands on remote data sources. In addition, the middle-tier server manages the authentication of the user in sessioned or sessionless mode. In particular, search query results are processed such that the results answer a search query. That is, rather than simply providing a list of document matches, the middle-tier server extracts information from the document that answers the search query most appropriately.

Abstract: A method and system for providing remote access to heterogeneous information sources from computing devices including but not limited to personal computers, laptop computers, PDAs, cellular telephones is presented. A middle-tier server is provided in a multi-tier environment for allowing a data-centric approach to accessing, modifying and updating content located at remote data sources. The middle-tier server provides functionality for a mobile (or similar) user to perform a search query, request for document and/or data, update remote data, and perform commands on remote data sources. In addition, the middle-tier server manages the authentication of the user in sessioned or sessionless mode. In particular, search query results are processed such that the results answer a search query. That is, rather than simply providing a list of document matches, the middle-tier server extracts information from the document that answers the search query most appropriately.