Abstract: A method of optimizing communication and processing functions between disparate applications includes sending, from a first application to a disparate second application, a request message. The request message, which has a reduced data size for optimizing communication, is formatted in a first request-format to provide unique data elements relevant to processing the request message. The received request message is reformatted into a second request format, and is then forwarded to a third application. The third application creates a response message that is in a first response format, and sends the response message to the second application. Each received response message is queued, by a messaging application, into a response message collection corresponding to a message type, before sending the response group to the first application.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enabling fixed and percentage discount pricing at configuration option level, when a configurable product is ordered. The method comprises the steps of creating a condition table having information used to determine both fixed and percentage discount pricing. A Contract is also provided having information used to determine those discounts. When a product is ordered against the Contract, information from both the Contract and the condition table are used to determine the appropriate discount, if any, for each selected option item. The appropriate discount may be a fixed price discount, or a percentage discount based on the list price for the option.