Abstract: A method and system for providing price information, comprising receiving a request for price information associated with at least one item; obtaining from a database results responsive to the request; modifying at least one entry in the database results to reflect a more competitive price, when compared to another entry in the database results; and providing the database results to a consumer after completing the modifying step.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with certain aspects related to the invention provide product availability information to a requestor via a proxy computer. In one aspect, a proxy computer that acts on the behalf of a seller computer receives product inventory information and one or more inventory control rules provided by the seller computer. In response to an availability request provided by a user, the proxy computer may determine product availability information based on the product inventory information and the one or more inventory control rules. Further, the proxy computer may be configured to update at the product inventory information and/or one or more control rules based on a determination that the seller computer has updated the same information stored in a database.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention allow access to inventory data stored in communication devices at remote locations on a network. The communication devices monitor the network for a real-time notification of a change in inventory data associated with another communication device. When the monitoring communication device detects a change in the inventory status from another communication device on the network, the monitoring communication device performs an inventory analysis. After completing the inventory analysis, a user operating the monitoring communication device decides whether an update in marketing strategy for an item should be implemented to maintain profitability.

Abstract: A data management method and architecture that enables users to integrate central reservation system communications with local accounting and reporting functions. More particularly, the present invention comprises a batch scheduling function that automatically executes predetermined batch tasks and distributes the executable load efficiently among available processing resources. The invention provides significant improvements in environments which require access to mass data storage systems such as the central information repositories used in the travel industry.