Abstract: A hub operably couples to one or more process management systems and service providers that are each remotely located with respect to the hub. In one embodiment, these elements communicate with one another via the hub through use data translation and manipulation units. The hub can maintain records regarding which data translation and manipulation units are capable of supporting communications with which external services. The hub can also maintain records, in a preferred embodiment, of which external services are authorized to use a given data translation and manipulation unit and/or to otherwise access a given service provider.