Higgins is a framework that will enable users and enterprises to integrate identity, profile, and relationship information across multiple systems. Using service adapters, existing and new systems such as directories, collaboration spaces, and communications technologies (e.g. Microsoft/IBM WS-*, LDAP, email, IM, etc.) can be plugged into the Higgins framework. Applications written to the Higgins API can virtually integrate the identity, profile, and relationship information across these heterog