1. A common point authoring system for complex sharing of hierarchically authored data objects in a distribution chain, comprising: authoring means for enabling an authorized authoring member to create data comprising a draft informational object, which uniquely identifies a product for tracking purposes; authenticating means for enabling an authorized individual to authenticate said draft informational object created by said authorized authoring member; completion means for converting said authenticated informational object created by said authorized authoring member to a corresponding immutable informational object which is identified by a unique identifier; database management means for writing said created immutable informational object into a memory for use by authorized accessing members; draft data element means for enabling an authorized authoring member to create data comprising at least one draft data element; wherein said authoring means incorporates said at least one draft data element into said draft informational object; wherein said authenticating means comprises: data element authenticating means for enabling an authorized individual to authenticate said draft data element created by said authorized authoring member; and wherein said completion means converts said authenticated at least one draft data element to a corresponding immutable draft data element which is identified by a unique identifier.
1. A common point authoring system for complex sharing of hierarchically authored data objects in a distribution chain, comprising: authoring means for enabling an authorized authoring member to create data comprising a draft informational object, which uniquely identifies a product for tracking purposes; authenticating means for enabling an authorized individual to authenticate said draft informational object created by said authorized authoring member; completion means for converting said authenticated informational object created by said authorized authoring member to a corresponding immutable informational object which is identified by a unique identifier; database management means for writing said created immutable informational object into a memory for use by authorized accessing members; draft data element means for enabling an authorized authoring member to create data comprising at least one draft data element; wherein said authoring means incorporates said at least one draft data element into said draft informational object; wherein said authenticating means comprises: data element authenticating means for enabling an authorized individual to authenticate said draft data element created by said authorized authoring member; and wherein said completion means converts said authenticated at least one draft data element to a corresponding immutable draft data element which is identified by a unique identifier. 6. The common point authoring system of claim 1 further comprising: association means, responsive to access of an informational object by said authorized accessing member, for providing said authorized accessing member with data representative of an ancillary one of a product and a service relating to said accessed informational object.