1. A computer-implemented method for collecting configuration data from one or more sources, the method comprising: loading a hierarchical configuration model that includes information about how configuration data for one or more software applications is stored at distributed computer systems; identifying one or more sub-models associated with the loaded configuration model; identifying one or more sources of configuration data in a target network; beginning a parallel process of collecting configuration data from multiple identified sub-models and identified sources concurrently; creating a partitioned configuration result store for a selected sub-model and source; invoking the selected sub-model against the selected source to collect configuration data related to the selected sub-model stored at the selected source; receiving at a repository server configuration data from the selected sub-model and source based upon one or more requests defined within the selected sub-model; and storing the received configuration data in the created partitioned configuration result store for the selected sub-model and source, wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.