A method of replicating data objects from a source system to a target system consistent with the present invention is disclosed. The method creates an electronic data element including a first field having an identifier and a second field having a state of the identifier. The state of the identifier may be set to: a) a first state, in which said electronic data element may be accessed by one or more data object processing operations and whereby said identifier is assignable to one or more data objects, b) a second state, in which said electronic data element may not be accessed by one or more data object processing operations and whereby said identifier is assignable to one or more data objects, or c) a third state, in which said electronic data element may not be accessed by one or more data object processing operations and whereby said identifier is not assignable to one or more data objects. Further, the method assigns the identifier to one or more data objects; assigns a state to the identifier; and replicates the one or more assigned data objects from the source system to the target system if the state of the identifier is the third state.