Abstract: A system that controls access to program assets, such as software programs or modules, is described. During operation, this system associates a first license code with a first group of program assets and associates a first master code with the first license code, where the first group of program assets includes one or more program assets associated with a first provider, and the first license code identifies the first master code. Then, the system provides the first license code, the first master code, and a pre-defined function to the first provider, and hosts the first group of program assets on a website. Note that the first master code and the pre-defined function allow the first provider to generate a first validation code for a customer. Moreover, the first validation code and the first license code, at least in part, allow the customer to access the first group of program assets hosted on the website, thereby facilitating independent marketing of the first group of program assets by the first provider.

Abstract: An order fulfillment tool may indicate fulfillability information for a plurality of open orders and receive user input specifying one or more orders for potential fulfillment. In response, the order fulfillment tool may indicate revised fulfillability information for orders not specified for potential fulfillment according to the effects on a current inventory if the specified orders were fulfilled. The order fulfillment tool may also recommend orders for potential fulfillment according to user-specified order fulfillment criteria and indicate revised fulfillability information for orders not recommended for potential fulfillment. Such an order fulfillment tool may also receive user input specifying fulfillment levels for individual items of orders and update fulfillability information for other orders according to the effect of the individual fulfillment levels.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides a context-sensitive “community link,” which enables a system or application user to easily access a community forum related to a specific system or application feature. During operation, the system provides a user with access to the system or application feature. While providing such access, the system displays a community link to the user, wherein the community link is directed to a community forum associated with the system or application feature. When the user selects the community link, the system navigates the user to the community forum associated with the system or application feature, so that the user can exchange information with other users about the system or application feature.