A system and a method for collecting data from a data source that includes
a database containing a tool for collecting data from the data source and
creating a data record, a tool selector in communication with the
database for selecting the tool from the database, a tool processor for
executing the tool, and a communication channel for communicating between
the database and the tool processor. The tool is selected from the
database by the tool selector and transmitted via the communication
channel to the tool processor for use by the operator in creating a data
record that is transmitted to the database via the communication channel.