Data Federation Technology

This is actually one of the ways of implementing MDM(Master Data Management). The two ways:
i) Storing actual data
ii) Storing references to actual data(Data Federation)

There are pros/cons with both. So the implementation method chosen should be considered carefuly based on needs

in reference to:

"data federation technology"
- What is data federation technology? - Definition from Whatis.com (view on Google Sidewiki)