System and method for integrating external system data in a visual mapping system

A method for exporting data from a visual mapping system to an external system, where the visual mapping system includes (1) a server that manages the storage and retrieval of topics for visual maps, (2) a client visual mapping application through which the user can create, view and edit visual maps, and (3) a database where topics are stored individually, the method comprising:

• searching the database for topics meeting certain criteria, where the search is managed by the server and where the client visual mapping application need not be running for such search to be performed;
• and
• for each topic meeting the criteria, performing the following:
• extracting data from such topic, where the server extracts the data;
• sending the data to the external system, where the server sends the data;
• receiving a response from the external system, where the server receives the response;
• updating the topic with the response;
• and
• in response to receiving a request from a client visual mapping application for the topic, providing, by the server, the updated topic to the client visual application.

A visual mapping system comprising:

• a client computer with a client visual mapping application that provides an interface through which a user can view, edit, and create visual maps and through which a user can enter search criteria to search for one or more topics;
• a database for storing topics in visual maps, where the topics are stored individually;
• and
• a server connected to the client computer, the database, and the external system, wherein the server obtains data from the external system, organizes the data into topics, stores the topics individually in a database, and provides one or more of the topics to the client visual mapping application in response to a request from the client visual mapping application to enable the user to view the data from the external system in the form of a visual map.

A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium and comprising code, that, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the following method:

• obtaining data from an external system;
• organizing the data into topics;
• storing the topics individually in a database, where topics are stored in a manner that enables the topics to be separately retrieved, viewed, and edited;
• indexing the topics to facilitate searching of the topics;
• and
• providing one or more of the topics to a client visual mapping application in response to a request from the client visual mapping application to enable the user to view the data from the external system in the form of a visual map.