Abstract: Described are a system and method of performing an electronic search for information objects in data stores. A user submitting a text string is identified. A metadata model comprises interconnected nodes. At least one node corresponds to a metadata instance. A catalog of catalog items is provided. Each catalog item is linked to a metadata instance in the metadata model and uniquely associated with an information object. A user-access right is assigned to each metadata instance. The catalog is searched to find catalog items linked to a metadata instance satisfying the user-access right and criteria associated with the submitted text string. Links to metadata instances are extracted in real time from each catalog item found in the search of the catalog. Each metadata instance corresponding to an extracted link is displayed, if permitted for the identified user by the user-access right assigned to that metadata instance.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for generating an index for use in searching for information objects maintained in heterogeneous data stores. Information objects, maintained in multiple heterogeneous data stores, are accessed. Catalog items are generated for the information objects. Each generated catalog item is uniquely associated with one of the accessed information objects. The catalog items are stored in a searchable data store independent of and external to the multiple heterogeneous data stores.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for classifying information objects with metadata across heterogeneous data stores. A metadata model includes a plurality of interconnected nodes. A least one of the nodes corresponds to a metadata instance and at least one of the nodes corresponds to a metadata category. Information related to an information object maintained in a data store is acquired. A look up of the metadata model finds one or more metadata instances and metadata categories based on the acquired information related to the information object. One or more of the found metadata instances and metadata categories are associated with the information object maintained in the data store.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for generating a metadata model for use in classifying and searching for information objects maintained in heterogeneous data stores. An n-dimensional graph is constructed based on metadata categories and relationships among the metadata categories. Instances of metadata are acquired for use in classifying information objects and in searching for information objects in the data stores. Each metadata instance falls under one of the metadata categories. An n-dimensional metadata model is constructed by placing the acquired metadata instances into the n-dimensional graph according to the metadata category under which each metadata instance falls and the relationships among the metadata categories.

Abstract: Described are a system and method of performing an electronic search for information objects stored in a plurality of data stores. A look-up is performed of a metadata model for instances of metadata that satisfy a criterion related to a received text string. A catalog of catalog items is provided. Each catalog item is linked to one or more instances of metadata in the metadata model and is uniquely associated with an information object stored in the data stores. The catalog is searched in real time to find one or more catalog items that are linked to one or more instances of metadata found in the look-up of the metadata model. Each information object associated with a catalog item found in the search of the catalog is listed in real time.