A dynamic information retrieval service is provided that can be configured
to retrieve entitlement information from a plurality of providers. Any
application that requires entitlement data may make a request for that
information to the dynamic information retrieval service using a single
standard interface. A request includes information describing the
identity of the user and a list of names representing the entitlement
data that are required. The dynamic information retrieval service
determines the appropriate provider for the entitlement information,
retrieves the entitlement data, and returns the requested entitlement
data to the application. The dynamic information retrieval service may
also cache the entitlement data. The dynamic information retrieval
service may process requests requiring several distinct items of
entitlement data to be retrieved in parallel. Therefore, applications may
send a single request for entitlement data for a single user, but for
several providers.