US Patent 7827565 Integration architecture for non-integrated tools

Architecture that facilitates interfacing non-integrated applications. The disclosed architecture comprises a set of APIs and conventions used to enable integration between tools that were not previously architected to be integrated. This provides the basis for server-based partner integration and client integration of tools, and can facilitate the foundation for building a third-party ecosystem. In support thereof, an artifact provider API exposes artifacts of a first application, and an artifact consumer API exposes a reference of a second application, which reference is associated with a link to one at least one of the artifacts of the artifact provider.