Method For Using Tags To Manage Client Software Across a Life Cycle

A server computer, comprising:

• a processor;
• a communication interface in communication with the processor;
• a data storage for storing (i) a tag prototype database that stores tag prototypes from which instances of tags are generated and (ii) a tag instance database that stores instances of tag, each instance of a tag corresponding to a client software component for use in a client computer;
• and
• a memory in communication with the processor for storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the server:
• to create a tag for a client software component, the tag corresponding to a tag prototype from the tag prototype database;
• to store the tag in the tag instance database by the server computer;
• to receive the tag and the client software component from an electronic software distribution computer;
• to receive a request from the client computer to initiate a session of the client software component;
• to obtain the tag from the client computer;
• to verify the tag obtained from the client computer;
• to update the tag to include information about the session;
• and
• to replace the tag in the client computer with the updated tag.

A system for using tags to manage software across a service or product life cycle, comprising:

• a server computer that:
• stores (i) a tag prototype database that stores tag prototypes from which instances of tags are generated and (ii) a tag instance database that stores instances of tag, each instance of a tag corresponding to a client software component for use in a client computer;
• creates a tag for a client software component, the tag corresponding to a tag prototype from the tag prototype database;
• updates the tag to reflect events that occur during the life cycle of the client software component;
• stores the updated tag in the tag instance database;
• and
• provides the updated tag to a client computer;
• receives the updated tag from the client computer;
• and
• verifies the received tag against the version of the tag stored in the tag instance database;
• an electronic software distribution computer that distributes the tag and the client software component to a client computer;
• and
• a client computer that:
• receives the tag and the client software component from the electronic software distribution computer;
• sends a request to the server computer to initiate a session of the client software component;
• and
• receives and stores an updated version of the tag from the server computer.