A computer-based design framework for collaborative design of a product by distributed design team members. The design framework comprises: a virtual database management system, which receives data from a plurality of distinct sources and creates a single relational database interface to each of the distinct sources; software code associated with the virtual database management system for mapping various informational structures utilized by the distinct sources to a common XML syntax; and additional logic associated with the virtual database management system that provides publishing rules for extracting information on demand and publishing the extracted information in a format recognized by a requestor of the information. When the product is a system on a chip (SOC) a special set of functions are generated that enable platform-independent application and services exchange utilizing XML wrapped data, service, and applications.