METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGEMENT OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

摘要

Methods and apparatus for flexible management of applications provided by one or more application service providers and accessible to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system registers new applications by recording in a database application information provided by the application service provider. Client devices may then request a menu of all available applications and may subscribe to one or more provided applications by interaction with the management system by transmitting subscription information to the management system. The management system then receives usage information from the service provider for usage of a subscribed application by the client device. The management system records the usage information and may produce reports upon request from the recorded usage information. The application information may include pricing model information such that the management system may provide accounting reports for accumulated usage and related charges therefore.