Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and corresponding apparatus, for interactively creating database integration specifications comprising a workflow specification, communication scripts, and data translators. The invention includes steps and means for interactively creating a workflow specification which graphically depicts the flow of control and data among the various communication scripts and data translators. Each communication script, data translator, or other integration object that is part of the overall workflow specification is graphically represented by corresponding, cursor-sensitive display objects. These display objects are then interactively interconnected so as to depict the desired flow of control and data. The method further includes steps and means for specifying content for the actual communication scripts and data translators.

Abstract: Apparatus for integrating independent computer systems with associated heterogeneous data bases having some common or shared data entities. The apparatus includes an update capturing module installed at each of the computer systems, for capturing update transactions involving shared data entities, and a central data translator, which receives the updates from the update capturing modules, translates the updates into appropriate record formats and data base schemas, and transmits the translated replicas to the appropriate separate computer systems, where the updates are directly or indirectly entered into the corresponding data bases, thereby ensuring consistency among the separate but related data bases.