Data on place objects in a distributed environment are generated in a system including a plurality of server objects instantiated in the environment in the same address domain, which share a same user directory and authentication system, are on a same user network, and are administered by a single administration team. A service catalog is provided for cataloging a plurality of place objects as nodes on a tree, place objects including the plurality of servers objects within the distributed environment. A document file is provided for encapsulating cataloged relationships of server objects in the distributed environment and for storing object attributes generated by traversing the tree.