Patent ID: 8095471

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for managing a contract, comprising: receiving, over a network, from a client computer that runs a browser program, a first inquiry regarding licensing of a first set of software under a particular contract; in response to receiving said first inquiry, accessing, at a management system that is coupled to said client computer via said network and is embodied in a machine, information pertaining to said particular contract, said information comprising a quota parameter, which specifies a quota of resources that can be consumed under said particular contract; determining, at said management system, a first licensing amount attributable to licensing said first set of software; updating said quota parameter at said management system based, at least partially, upon said first licensing amount; deploying, via said network, license management software to a licensing host; sending license parameters from said management system over said network to said licensing host that (a) is coupled to said management system via said network, (b) communicates with said first set of software over said network, and (c) enforces, via said license management software, said license parameters relative to said first set of software; deploying, via said network, said first set of software to a software host, the software host configured to execute said first set of software; allowing said first set of software to be used under said particular contract; and wherein said updating said quota parameter includes reducing said quota parameter by said first licensing amount; wherein the client computer, the management system, the licensing host and the software host represent a distinct computing device.