1. A method of collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a multi-tier database management system having a master database server ( 4 ), an application server ( 303 ), at least one workgroup server ( 315 ), and a plurality of workgroup user clients ( 310 ), said application server ( 303 ) and said workgroup server ( 315 ) interposed between said master database server ( 4 ) and said workgroup user clients ( 310 ), said method comprising: (a) creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of said workgroup user clients ( 310 ), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on said workgroup user client ( 310 ), and creating a transaction file corresponding thereto in an outbox of said workgroup user client ( 310 ); (b) copying said transaction file to an inbox on said workgroup server ( 315 ) identified to the workgroup user client ( 310 ) and updating said transaction file into a workgroup database ( 305 ) resident on said workgroup server ( 315 ), said workgroup database ( 305 ) including a transaction log; and (c) reading said workgroup database ( 305 ) transaction log, skipping those transactions which originate at the master database server ( 4 ), creating data files corresponding to the entries therein, copying data files corresponding to transactions originating at the workgroup user client ( 310 ) to an inbox on the master database server ( 4 ) corresponding to the workgroup server ( 315 ), and updating the transactions into a master database ( 3 ) on the master database server ( 4 ).