Abstract: An interface receives a request for data services from a consumer, wherein the consumer comprises one of a financial institution and a credit bureau and the request for data services comprises at least one of a request for financial data and a request for metadata. A processor determines whether the request requires data publication. When the request requires data publication, the processor extracts data from one of a plurality of domains, wherein the domain stores data and metadata associated with the financial institution. The processor automatically transforms the data into a standard format. The processor automatically extracts metadata associated with the data. The processor further automatically receives the data and the metadata from the interface. A memory is communicatively coupled to the processor and is operable to automatically store the data and the metadata, wherein the data and the metadata are stored separately. The processor links the consumer with the data.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a distributed computing system of the type having a multitude of distributed applications, each of the applications including a procedural part for executing instructions, and a declarative part including data. The method comprises the steps of formatting messages to include processing instructions; and transmitting the messages to the distributed applications, the transmitted messages causing the applications to implement the processing instructions included in the messages. An important advantage of self-defining and self-routing messages is that they may be used to reduce the procedural part of the application program and to make it generic. Customization and tailoring of the application takes place in the design of the declarative part. The procedural part interprets the messages in a generic fashion and executes instructions, such as logic or services, that are declared in the messages.