Abstract: A light-weight system is employed to meter traffic into an ecommerce system when the expected level of traffic would cause performance instability and other issues. A distribution service system logically sits in front of the ecommerce system when traffic is or is expected to be extraordinarily high. Users complete a page form indicating interest in purchasing an item. High-speed logging of the request record is performed by the distribution service engine. Basic preliminary filter services are applied to the file with records failing preliminary checks flagged or removed. The remaining records are presented to a distribution engine. A distribution algorithm determines an optimal policy for allowing the users to place orders, specifying the particular time period allowed, which has the effect of metering orders into the system at a rate at which the system can continue to perform optimally.

Abstract: A half-graphical user interface (Half-GUI) order processing (HGOP) system with single sign on and its method of use is described. A set of web services may be utilized for order processing in an electronic commerce system which allows a merchant to host a product catalog and shopping cart, but post the transaction to an e-commerce system in one simple transaction. In response to a shopping cart request and utilizing single sign on technology, the HGOP system exposes a single checkout form, prepopulated with customer account information to a merchant web site. If no edits are required, the transaction posts and an order confirmation/thank you page is displayed. If edits are required or a new customer account is required, the customer's account is updated or created.

Abstract: A half-graphical user interface (Half-GUI) order processing (HGOP) system with single sign on and its method of use is described. A set of web services may be utilized for order processing in an electronic commerce system which allows a merchant to host a product catalog and shopping cart, but post the transaction to an e-commerce system in one simple transaction. In response to a shopping cart request and utilizing single sign on technology, the HGOP system exposes a single checkout form, prepopulated with customer account information to a merchant web site. If no edits are required, the transaction posts and an order confirmation/thank you page is displayed. If edits are required or a new customer account is required, the customer's account is updated or created.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a set of web services is provided that allow a client application to display product information from a site catalog, add/update/delete those products into a shopping cart hosted on the client, and have that shopping cart also maintained at a central hosted site. As such, the user is directed to the central hosted site in order to complete payment and fulfillment of the order. Several companies desire this functionality. As such, a set of shopping cart application programming interface (API) can be built and used to access product information and prices as well as to add or remove products from the shopping cart to which the consumer will be redirected upon finalizing the purchase. These processes are conducted in real time.

Abstract: A half-graphical user interface (Half-GUI) order processing (HGOP) system with single sign on and its method of use is described. A set of web services may be utilized for order processing in an electronic commerce system which allows a merchant to host a product catalog and shopping cart, but post the transaction to an e-commerce system in one simple transaction. In response to a shopping cart request and utilizing single sign on technology, the HGOP system exposes a single checkout form, prepopulated with customer account information to a merchant web site. If no edits are required, the transaction posts and an order confirmation/thank you page is displayed. If edits are required or a new customer account is required, the customer's account is updated or created.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a set of web services is provided that allow a client application to display product information from a site catalog, add/update/delete those products into a shopping cart hosted on the client, and have that shopping cart also maintained at a central hosted site. As such, the user may be directed to the central hosted site in order to complete payment and fulfillment of the order. It is believed that several companies desire this functionality. As such, a set of shopping cart application programming interface (API) can be built and used to access product information and prices as well as to add or remove products from the shopping cart to which the consumer will be redirected upon finalizing the purchase. These processes are conducted in real time.