A database system operating over a communication network. A plurality of client applications coupled to the network generate database access requests. An intermediary server coupled to the network receives the requests. A data storage mechanism coupled to the network has an interface for communicating with the intermediary servers. The intermediary server is responsive to a received database access request to establishing a channel with the data storage mechanism to obtain data from the data storage mechanism in response to a received client request. The intermediary server is further operable to format the obtained data in a manner suitable for use by one of the client applications that requested the associated database access.