Abstract: An instant pricing system and mechanism includes pricing templates for each vehicle/service combination, which are created by reference to an automobile's make, model, year, engine, transmission, drivetrain, and trim. Also, a job quote is created by reference to parts, labor times and suggested pricing through use of historical job data, 3rd party information, fleet contracts and service team inputs, in an iterative approach. The created Job quotes are linked to pricing templates to capture all pricing edits into the template.

Abstract: Computer- and network-based methods and systems for maintaining and provisioning wireless applications are provided. Example embodiments provide a Mobile Application System (MAS), which is a collection of interoperating server components that work individually and together in a secure fashion to provide applications and resources to mobile subscriber devices, such as wireless devices. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used to deploy applications and resources for wired subscriber devices. Application, resources, and other content is provisioned and verified by the MAS for authorized access by the subscriber, compatibility with a requesting subscriber device, and the security and billing policies of the carrier and system administrators of the MAS. In this manner, applications, resources, and other content can be downloaded to devices, such as wireless devices, with greater assurance of their ability to successfully execute.

Abstract: Computer- and network-based methods and systems for transmission-based billing are provided. Example embodiments provide a Packet-Based Billing System (“PBBS”), which enables application providers, such as carriers and content providers, to bill subscribers for the use of content on mobile subscriber devices, such as wireless devices, on a per-application, per-user basis based upon the extent of the usage. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used to bill subscribers for the use of content on a per-application, per-user basis for wired subscriber devices as well, using the same techniques. In operation, the PBBS provides modified content by inserting billing and tracking code into content returned to a requesting device. The modified content, when executed, tracks the amount of data sent and received between the content and a network and posts the accumulated data to a proxy/billing server according to business rules for an interval/frequency to post such data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing two-way initiated, bi-directional communication with wireless devices using connection-based or connection-less protocols, such as, for example, TCP/IP and UDP/IP, are provided. Example embodiments provide an Address Management Proxy System (“AMPS”), which enables devices and systems connected to a public internet, such as the Internet, to initiate communication with and to send data to wireless devices connected to a private wireless network, without exposing the non-routable private addresses of these wireless devices. The AMPS allocates a public (routable) network address for temporarily use by a requesting device on a public network to communicate with a wireless device on a wireless network. In one embodiment, a pool of public addresses, for example, public IP addresses, is maintained by the AMPS and allocated dynamically to wireless network devices as required.

Abstract: Computer- and network-based methods and systems for maintaining and provisioning wireless applications are provided. Example embodiments provide a Mobile Application System (MAS), which is a collection of interoperating server components that work individually and together in a secure fashion to provide applications and resources to mobile subscriber devices, such as wireless devices. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used to deploy applications and resources for wired subscriber devices. Application, resources, and other content is provisioned and verified by the MAS for authorized access by the subscriber, compatibility with a requesting subscriber device, and the security and billing policies of the carrier and system administrators of the MAS. In this manner, applications, resources, and other content can be downloaded to devices, such as wireless devices, with greater assurance of their ability to successfully execute.

Abstract: Computer-and network-based methods and systems for transmission-based billing are provided. Example embodiments provide a Packet-Based Billing System (“PBBS”), which enables application providers, such as carriers and content providers, to bill subscribers for the use of content on mobile subscriber devices, such as wireless devices, on a per-application, per-user basis based upon the extent of the usage. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used to bill subscribers for the use of content on a per-application, per-user basis for wired subscriber devices as well, using the same techniques. In operation, the PBBS provides modified content by inserting billing and tracking code into content returned to a requesting device. The modified content, when executed, tracks the amount of data sent and received between the content and a network and posts the accumulated data to a proxy/billing server according to business rules for an interval/frequency to post such data.