Abstract: A user contracts with an application service provider for hosting a needed application. By contracting with a service provider the user may interact with the application by using only a thin client rather than maintaining a thick client. The user rents an application from either the service provider or an independent application provider. If the user procures the application from an application provider, the application provider negotiates hosting terms with the service provider prior to installing the application into the service provider's warehouse. The application provider also checks that the services provided by the service provider meet the minimum requirements of the application. Once installed, the service provider may offer the application to other users along with services for the application. The user may procure additional services from the service provider for supporting the application. A user can then dynamically download the application “on-demand”.