Methods and systems for providing secure access to a hosted service via a client application

A method of receiving a retail management service over a computer network, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a service provider over the computer network, a service cookie that is populated with an indication of the retail management service;
• transmitting the service cookie over the computer network to the service provider, wherein transmitting comprises transmitting in conjunction with a request for the retail management service;
• and
• receiving the retail management service from the service provider.

A method of selectively providing a service over a computer network, the method comprising:

• populating a cookie with an indication that the service is available to a user having a particular role;
• transmitting the cookie to an application;
• receiving from the application a request to access the service;
• and
• verifying the cookie and, upon verification, providing the service to the application.