Abstract: A plurality of digital data processing systems are interconnected as nodes in a telecommunication network. When two intelligent nodes are conneected and one local node determines that a process which it is executing requires the use of resources held at the second remote node, the local system sends a request to the remote system. It is desirable that the remote system handle the request from the local system as it handles all other requests so that source integrity is maintained. The local system, in response to a request from a local application program which it is sevicing, sends a corresponding transaction request along a communication link to the remote system. This transaction request passes directly from node to node without going through any intermediate controller. The remote system receives the request and creates a new unit of work. The remote system then performs the unit of work and sends the result back to the local node.