Abstract: A method of searching data on heterogeneous databases connected over a network. Configuration data representing the configuration of each database is received. The configuration data includes mapping data associating search terms to data field names in each database. A search request specifying criteria for a search term for data is received from a client. The mapping data is processed to select a data field name in a database, the data field name corresponding to the search term specified in the search request. A search command is generated which is compatible with the database using the data field name. The search command is transmitted to a data provider system associated with the database. Search results are received from the data provider system, which results from the execution of the search command on the database. The search results are processed to generate search report data, and are transmitted to the client terminal.

Abstract: A method of facilitating searching for data on a plurality of heterogeneous databases connected over a network, the databases including at least one named data field, and the method comprising: receiving via the network configuration data representing the configuration of each database, the configuration data including mapping data associating predefined search terms to specific data field names in each database; receiving from a client terminal a search request for data meeting specified criteria, the search request specifying criteria for at least one predefined search term; for each of at least one database selected from the plurality of databases: processing the mapping data to select at least one data field name in the selected database, the at least one data field name corresponding to the at least one predefined search term specified in the search request; generating a search command compatible with the selected database using the at least one selected data field name; transmitting the search command o