Embodiments are directed to establishing a metadata repository that aggregates metadata for a plurality of data sources, inferring data source metadata at a metadata repository and to providing recommendations to data managers based on aggregated inputs. In one scenario, a computer system establishes a reference to one or more data sources, where each data source includes data elements. The computer system receives a data request for specified data elements stored on the data sources and accesses the established references to determine which data source the specified data elements are stored on. The computer system then retrieves at least one of the specified data elements from its determined data source and sends the retrieved data elements to a specified computer system, along with an indication of additional data elements that are relevant to the received data request, and a further indication of how those additional data elements are to be accessed.