static {
    // add our built-in persisters
    builtInMap = new HashMap<String, DataPersister>();
    for (DataType dataType : DataType.values()) {

      DataPersister persister = dataType.getDataPersister();

      if (persister != null) {
        for (Class<?> clazz : persister.getAssociatedClasses()) {
          builtInMap.put(clazz.getName(), persister);
        }
        String[] associatedClassNames = persister.getAssociatedClassNames();
        if (associatedClassNames != null) {
          for (String className : persister.getAssociatedClassNames()) {
            builtInMap.put(className, persister);
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }