1. A method for connecting a collaboration system to an external system wherein each collaborating member uses tools within a local shared space copy to update data therein and collaborating members securely exchange data between local shared space copies over a network, the method comprising: (a) scanning a server shared space copy located a server connected to the network to discover tools which require connection to the external system in the server shared space copy; (b) creating an agent for at least one tool requiring connection discovered in the server shared space copy; (c) associating agents with each tool requiring connection; and (d) using each agent to exchange data between the external system and the tool with which the agent is associated.