Abstract: A system and method for enabling a hierarchal collaboration of devices across a common communication channel, e.g., the Internet. Embodiments of the present invention define a plurality of devices, e.g., computer systems operating as servers. Each device is capable of receiving one or more inquiries from at least one user and locally providing data in response to such inquiries. However, when the locally available data is not responsive to the user's inquiry, the inquiry is redirected to another device that has responsive data and the response is received therefrom. In accordance with a significant feature of a preferred embodiment, a common resource exchange stores status data corresponding to each device. This status data, e.g., data corresponding to the ability and availability of each device to provide a response, is used to determine where (to which device) the inquiry is redirected.