Relationship Model for Modeling Relationships Between Equivalent Objects Accessible Over a Network

Abstract

A relationship model system automatically recognizes relationships among data in a local IT environment. Such data may be derived from multiple sources, such as multiple devices and/or software applications of different types. Such data are collected automatically, remotely, and transparently from the local IT environment. Relationships among the data are recognized automatically by correlating data from the multiple sources. Records of such relationships are stored remotely in a relationship model. The system may draw conclusions based on the recognized relationships and take actions in response to those conclusions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method performed by at least one computer processor executing computer program instructions tangibly stored in a computer-readable medium, the method comprising:
 (A) obtaining, over a network, first data maintained by a first resource;   (B) obtaining, over the network, second data maintained by a second resource;   (C) identifying a first portion of the first data, wherein the first portion relates to a first object;   (D) identifying a second portion of the second data, wherein the second portion relates to a second object;   (E) determining whether the first object and the second object are equivalent to each other; and   (F) if it is determined that the first object and the second object are equivalent to each other, then:
 (F1) storing an indication of a relationship between the first portion and the second portion remotely from the first and second resources.