A method consistent with the present invention avoids data loss in a data object replication process. The method includes: creating an electronic data element comprising a first field having an identifier and a second field having a state of the identifier; setting the second field of the data element to a state indicating that the electronic data element may be accessed and assigned; assigning the identifier to one or more data objects; setting a shared lock on the electronic data element; storing the one or more data objects; and upon a commit of the storing of the one or more data objects, removing the shared lock and setting the state of the identifier to indicate that the one or more data objects may be replicated.