Distributing and billing software according to customer use of program modules

Abstract

A software brokering method and framework are presented. The software brokering method includes a step of establishing a use-based pricing scheme for a set of software modules that are utilized at a customer's site. By pricing software according to its use rather than a set fee, flexible pricing is facilitated for meeting the broad spectrum of customers needs. The software modules are distributed to customers. The software modules are preferably downloaded from an e-commerce site, but may also be mailed or distributed from conventional retail outlets. Use of the software at a customer's site is monitored by processes integrated into the deployment and execution components of a software module integration platform residing at the customer's site. Customers are charged based upon their actual use of the software modules, as registered by the software module integration platform, in view of the software pricing scheme established for the downloaded software modules. In a preferred embodiment, the software modules are distributed and monitored through an e-commerce site.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method for distributing software modules for use by customers via an on-line networked interface comprising the steps of:
 first providing a set of software modules to a customer;   second providing a value for the use of the set of software modules by the customer;   third providing a set of terms and conditions to the customer;   recording acceptance, via the on-line customer interface, of the terms and conditions by the customer; and   issuing an electronic license to the customer thereby enabling use of the software modules by the customer.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the first providing step comprises providing the set of software modules on a electronically readable non-volatile storage media. 
     
     
         53 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A license manager module for deployment at a customer enterprise, the license manager comprising:
 a network address identifier;   contact information;   a license value allocated to the customer enterprise;   deployed software module use monitoring software; and   communication functions enabling communication with a master licensing facility operated on behalf of a distributor of the set of software modules.   
     
     
         60 . The license manager module of  claim 59  further comprising an expiration date that limits the time frame in which a set of software modules monitored by the license manager may be installed upon a customer's system. 
     
     
         61 . The license manager module of  claim 59  wherein the license manager includes monitoring software for enforcing a set of terms and conditions concerning use of a set of software modules at a customer site. 
     
     
         62 . The license manager module of  claim 59 , the license manager module further comprising:
 a description of a set of software modules with which the license manager module is deployed and use limitations for individual ones of the set of software modules;   monitoring software for enforcing the use limitations associated with individual ones of the set of software modules; and   communication functions enabling the license manager to communicate with a central software brokering facility.   
     
     
         63 . The license manager module of  claim 62  wherein the use limitations of software modules include a use mode, wherein the use mode facilitates designating one of a set of available durations from a set of options including at least: a lifetime duration and a termination date-based duration. 
     
     
         64 . The license manager module of  claim 63  wherein the set of available durations includes a use number-based duration. 
     
     
         65 . The license manager module of  claim 62  wherein the use limitations of software modules include billing constructs, wherein the billing constructs facilitate designating one of a set of billing modes including at least: a lifetime mode and a period-based mode. 
     
     
         66 . The license manager module of  claim 65  wherein the set of billing modes includes a product volume based billing mode. 
     
     
         67 . The license manager module of  claim 66  wherein the product volume based billing mode is associated with a measured process variable. 
     
     
         68 . A remote on-line customer interface facilitating deployment of software modules from a software distribution facility comprising:
 a list of vendors for software modules;   a set of price terms for deployment of the software modules in the customer's system; and   a cost estimator tool enabling a customer to build a software system from the software modules and determine a cost estimate, based upon projected use of the software modules, for use of the software system.   
     
     
         69 . The remote on-line customer interface of  claim 68  wherein the cost estimator includes processes enabling a user to input projected future use estimates. 
     
     
         70 . The remote on-line customer interface of  claim 68  wherein product offerings through the on-line customer interface are arranged according to vertical market, thereby enabling customers to focus upon software module offerings arranged specifically for particular end users. 
     
     
         71 . The remote on-line customer interface of  claim 70  wherein use-based licensing terms are tailored to particular vertical markets. 
     
     
         72 . The remote on-line customer interface of  claim 70  wherein software modules are pre-packaged according to vertical market. 
     
     
         73 . (canceled)