An architecture for a computing environment wherein transactions preferably model the enterprise and its business processes directly, allowing third-party systems, like ERP, supply chain and Web portals, to be more loosely coupled. Because the system will often be distributed throughout the enterprise, reliance on central critical servers is reduced. The system of the present invention can also fill-in gaps in the functionality of legacy systems, as well as invoke complex applications and direct automated systems. The system offers an architecture where users can model their particular enterprises in business terms so that disparate applications can be linked without custom programming.