Content objects may be incorporated as metadata in application systems in the same programming environment used to create the rest of the application. Although content objects may be included as part of the application systems, in some instances a central repository storing content object information from each application system may be used to facilitate communication and data sharing between applications. Alternatively, point-to-point communications between applications may also be supported so that applications may share content object data without relying on the central repository. Some embodiments may support both central repository communications and point-to-point communications between applications. Determinations may be made to identify the type of connectivity supported in different circumstances.