Federated query

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Federated query is technology that utilizes efficient middleware to search multiple geographically and technologically disparate computer systems to extract, transform and present uniform but separately recorded data in an interpretive and functional interface.

Generally classified within the realm of Enterprise Information Integration (EII), federated query typically represents a "read only" type of solution, where ownership and control of the data remain with the source organizations/divisions/agencies that are sharing the information. This differs from Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) and Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) solutions which usually involve moving data from one repository to another, or the combining of data with disparate application functionality in order to create completely new, customized applications and services.