A system for collaborative processing, comprising a controlling module with access to at least one relational database capable of performing a first set of functions on the data in the database and at least one external analytical engine, the external analytical engine being external to the relational database and being capable of a second set of functions on the data in the database. The controlling module is capable of iteratively processing a multi-step calculation including generating SQL statements to the relational database, passing preliminary results to an external analytical engine and saving data back into the relational database for further processing until the multi-step calculation is performed.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/101,488 filed on Mar. 20, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,073, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/043,285 filed on Jan. 14, 2002, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/884,443 filed in Jun. 20, 2001, now abandoned.
