Method and systems for providing communications services

A method to allow for providing a customer to readily obtain selected communications functions or selected communications services from a single source so as to save the customer from having to procure the selected functions or the selected services from different sources and save the customer from having the problems associated therewith, the method comprising:

• providing transmitting to a computer of the customer with information regarding communications services or communications functions available to the customer;
• receiving an order for a selected communications function or for a selected communications service from the computer;
• in response to receiving the order for the selected communications function, executing the selected communications function, and maintaining function data on the customer and the selected communications function;
• and
• in response to receiving the order for the selected communications service, causing the selected communications service to be implemented at the computer,
• maintaining data on the customer and the selected communications service implemented at the computer,
• monitoring implementation of the selected communications services service at the computer, and
• if in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, then taking remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A method to allow for providing a customer to readily obtain selected communications functions or selected communications services from a single source so as to save the customer from having to procure the selected functions or the selected services from different sources and save the customer from having the problems associated therewith, the method comprising:

• providing transmitting to a computer of the customer with information regarding communications services or communications functions available to the customer;
• receiving an order for a selected communications function or for a selected communications service from the computer;
• in response to receiving the order for the selected communications function, executing the selected communications function, and maintaining function data on the customer and the selected communications function;
• and
• in response to receiving the order for the selected communications service,
• causing the selected communications service to be implemented at the computer,
• maintaining data on the customer and the selected communications service implemented at the computer,
• monitoring functionality of the selected communications services service at the computer, and
• if in response to a determination the functionality is substandard, then taking remedial action with respect to the implementation of the selected communications services service at the computer.

A method to allow for providing a customer to readily obtain selected communications functions or selected communications services from a single source so as to save the customer from having to procure the selected functions or the selected services from different sources and save the customer from having the problems associated therewith, the method comprising:

• providing transmitting to a computer of the customer with information regarding communications services or communications functions available to the customer;
• receiving an order for a selected communications function or for a selected communications service from the computer;
• in response to receiving the order for the selected communications function, executing the selected communications function, and maintaining function data on the customer and the selected communications function;
• in response to receiving the order for the selected communications service, causing the selected communications service to be implemented at the computer, and maintaining data on the customer and the selected communications service implemented at the computer;
• receiving an upgrade to one of the selected communications services implemented at the computer;
• and
• causing the upgrade to the one of the selected communications services to be implemented at the computer;
• monitoring implementation of the selected communications service, including the upgrade, at the computer, and
• in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, taking remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A method for providing communications services by a service provider to a user, comprising:

• provisioning a computer for use by a the user on a network and functionally connected over the network to a server of the service provider, and causing the computer to be operative
• for transmitting a certificate identifying the computer to the server,
• for ordering a communications services service from the server,
• for receiving the communications services service from the server,
• for installing the communications services service received from the server so the communications services are service is available for use on the computer,
• for executing the communication services communications service with or without interaction with the server, and
• for displaying information relating to the installed communication communications services installed on the computer, and relating to other communications services available from the server;
• and
• provisioning the server as a communications applications support system (CASS) as functionally connected to the computer through the network, and causing the server to be operative
• to authenticate the certificate received from the computer,
• to respond to an order from the computer for a communications service by causing the communications service to be provided to the computer, and
• to be accessible to the computer for execution of the communication services communications service with interaction with the server, and
• to provide the computer with information relating to the communication services communications services installed on the computer, and to the other communications services available from the server.

A method for providing communications services by a service provider to a user, comprising:

• provisioning a computer for use by a the user on a network and functionally connected over the network to a server of the service provider, and causing the computer to be operative
• for ordering a communications services service from the server,
• for receiving the communications services service from the server,
• for installing the communications services service received from the server so the communications services are service is available for use on the computer,
• for executing the communication services communications service with or without interaction with the server, and
• for displaying information relating to the installed communication services communications service installed on the computer, and relating to other communications services available from the server;
• and
• provisioning the server as a communications applications support system (CASS) as functionally connected to the computer through the network, and causing the server to be operative
• to respond to an order from the computer for a communications service by causing the communications service to be provided to the computer,
• to be accessible to the computer for execution of the communication services communications service with interaction with the server,
• to provide the computer with information relating to the communication services communications service installed on the computer, and to the other communications services available from the server,
• to monitor implementation of the communications service at the computer, and
• if in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, then to take remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A method for providing communications services by a service provider to a user, comprising:

• provisioning a computer for use by a the user on a network and functionally connected over the network to a server of the service provider, and causing the computer to be operative
• for ordering a communications services service from the server,
• for receiving the communications services service from the server,
• for installing the communications services service received from the server so the communications services are service is available for use on the computer,
• for executing the communication services communications service with or without interaction with the server, and
• for displaying information relating to the installed communication services communications service installed on the computer, and relating to other communications services available from the server;
• and
• provisioning the server as a communications applications support system (CASS) as functionally connected to the computer through the network, and causing the server to be operative
• to respond to an order from the computer for a communications service by causing the communications service to be provided to the computer,
• to be accessible to the computer for execution of the communication services communications service with interaction with the server,
• to provide the computer with information relating to the communication services communications service installed on the computer, and to the other communications services available from the server,
• to receive an upgrade to one of the communications services implemented at the computer, and
• to cause the upgrade to the one of the communications services to be implemented at the computer;
• to monitor implementation of the selected communications service, including the upgrade, at the computer, and
• in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, to take remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A system for providing a user with a variable slate of communications services implemented through a computer of the user, the system comprising:

• a server configured for authenticating a certificate of the computer of the user and for implementing or deleting selected communications services on or in connection with a the authenticated computer of the user, over an external network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the server also including a database having configured for storing data relating to the user, or to the selected communications services provided to the user;
• a network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• and
• the computer operative to receive and implement being configured for receiving and implementing the selected communications services for use on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• the computer further being operative to receive configured for receiving instructions from the user on implementation or deletion of any communications service on the computer or on the computer in connection with the server, and to communicate for communicating over the external network with the server to obtain the implementation or deletion of the any communications service.

A system for providing a user with a variable slate of communications services implemented through a computer of the user, the system comprising:

• a server configured for implementing or deleting selected communications services on or in connection with a the computer of the user, over an external network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the server also including a database having configured for storing data relating to the user, or to the selected communications services provided to the user;
• a network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the computer operative to receive and implement being configured for receiving and implementing the selected communications services for use on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• the computer further being operative to receive configured for receiving instructions from the user on implementation or deletion of any communications service on the computer or on the computer in connection with the server, and to communicate for communicating over the external network with the server to obtain the implementation or deletion of the any communications service;
• and
• wherein the server further is operative to monitor configured for monitoring implementation of the selected communications services or the any communications service on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• if in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, then to take for taking remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A system for providing a user with a variable slate of communications services implemented through a computer of the user, the system comprising:

• a server configured for implementing or deleting selected communications services on or in connection with a the computer of the user, over an external network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the server also including a database having configured for storing data relating to the user, or to the selected communications services provided to the user;
• a network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the computer operative to receive and implement being configured for receiving and implementing the selected communications services for use on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• the computer further being operative to receive configured for receiving instructions from the user on implementation or deletion of any communications service on the computer or on the computer in connection with the server, and to communicate for communicating over the external network with the server to obtain the implementation or deletion of the any communications service;
• and
• wherein the server further is operative to monitor configured for monitoring implementation or deletion of the any communications services service on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• if in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, then to take for taking remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A system for providing a user with a variable slate of communications services implemented through a computer of the user, the system comprising:

• a server configured for implementing or deleting selected communications services on or in connection with a the computer of the user, over an external network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the server also including a database having configured for storing data relating to the user, or to the selected communications services provided to the user;
• a network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the computer operative to receive and implement being configured for receiving and implementing the selected communications services for use on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• the computer further being operative to receive configured for receiving instructions from the user on implementation or deletion of any communications service on the computer or on the computer in connection with the server, and to communicate for communicating over the external network with the server to obtain the implementation or deletion of the any communications service;
• and
• wherein the server further is operative to monitor configured for monitoring functionality of the selected communications services at the computer, and
• if in response to a determination the functionality is substandard, then to take for taking remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A system for providing a user with a variable slate of communications services implemented through a computer of the user, the system comprising:

• a server configured for implementing or deleting selected communications services on or in connection with a the computer of the user, over an external network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the server also including a database having configured for storing data relating to the user, or to the selected communications services provided to the user;
• a network connecting the server to the computer of the user;
• the computer operative to receive and implement being configured for receiving the selected communications services for use on the computer or for use on the computer in connection with the server, and
• the computer further being operative to receive configured for receiving instructions from the user on implementation or deletion of any communications service on the computer or on the computer in connection with the server, and to communicate for communicating over the external network with the server to obtain the implementation or deletion of the any communications service;
• and
• wherein the server further is operative configured
• to receive for receiving an upgrade to one of the selected communications services implemented at the computer, and
• to cause for causing the upgrade to the one of the selected communications services to be implemented at the computer;
• for monitoring implementation of the one of the selected communications services, including the upgrade, at the computer, and
• in response to a determination the implementation is substandard, for taking remedial action with respect to the implementation.

A method for providing a set of communications applications to a service module provided by a customer of a communications application provider, comprising:

• receiving, by a processing device associated with the communications application provider, a certificate identifying the service module;
• authenticating the received certificate;
• receiving, by the processing device associated with the communications application provider, a request from the service module for the set of communications applications;
• and
• transmitting, by the processing device to the service module, the set of communications applications, wherein the set of communications applications is configured to be installed on the service module.

A method for providing a set of communications applications to a service module provided by a customer of a communications application provider, comprising:

• receiving, by a processing device associated with the communications application provider, a request from the service module for the set of communications applications;
• transmitting, by the processing device to the service module, the set of communications applications, wherein the set of communications applications is configured to be installed on the service module;
• and
• providing, by the processing device to the service module, information regarding a communications application in the set of communications applications available for remote installation.

A system for providing a set of communications services to a service node provided by a customer of an application provider, comprising:

• means for storing a plurality of communications services;
• and
• a module configured to
• receive a certificate identifying the service node,
• authenticate the certificate, and
• transmit, in response to receipt of a request from the service node, a set of communications services of the plurality of communications services from the means for storing to the service node, wherein the set of communications services is configured to be installed on the service node.

A system for providing a set of communications services to a service node provided by a customer of an application provider, comprising:

• means for storing a plurality of communications services;
• and
• a module configured to transmit, in response to receipt of a request from the service node, a set of communications services of the plurality of communications services from the storing means to the service node, and to provide information regarding a communications service in the set of communications services available for remote installation,
• wherein the set of communications services is configured to be installed on the service node.

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, execution of which by a computing device causes the computing device to perform operations enabling the provision of a set of communications services on a service module provided by a customer of a service provider, the operations comprising:

• receiving a certificate identifying the service module;
• authenticating the certificate;
• receiving from the service module a request for a set of communications services from the service module;
• and
• transmitting the requested set of communications services to the service module,
• wherein the set of communications services is configured to be installed on the service module.

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, execution of which by a computing device causes the computing device to perform operations enabling the provision of a set of communications services on a service module provided by a customer of a service provider, the operations comprising:

• receiving from the service module a request for a set of communications services from the service module;
• and
• transmitting the requested set of communications services to the service module, and providing information regarding a communications service in the set of communications services available for remote installation,
• wherein the set of communications services is configured to be installed on the service module.

A method for providing a set of communications services at a service module provided by a customer of a communications service provider, comprising:

• authenticating a service platform of the service module to a server by transmitting a certificate to the server, wherein the server is provided by the communications service provider;
• modifying by the service module the set of communications services provided at the service module based on a request from a user of the service module;
• receiving by the service module a request to invoke a communications service in the modified set of communications services;
• and
• invoking by the service module the requested communications service.

A service node for providing a set of communications services at a location remote from a communications service provider, comprising:

• means for storing the set of communications services;
• and
• a service module configured to modify the set of communications services upon request from a user of the service node,
• wherein the means for storing stores an authentication certificate identifying the service node,
• wherein the service module is configured to authenticate the service node to a server using the authentication certificate, and
• wherein the server is provided by the communications service provider.

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, execution of which by a computing device causes the computing device to perform operations enabling the provision of a set of communications services at a service module provided by a customer of a communications service provider, the operations comprising:

• authenticating a service platform of the service module to a server via a certificate identifying the service platform, wherein the server is provided by the communications service provider;
• modifying by the service module the set of communications services based on a request from a user of the service module;
• receiving by the service module a request to invoke a communications service in the set of communications services;
• and
• invoking the requested communications service.

A method for providing a set of communications services on a customer platform provided by a customer of a communications service provider, comprising:

• authenticating the customer platform to a remote server via a certificate identifying the customer platform, wherein the remote server is provided by the communications service provider;
• requesting, by the customer platform to the remote server, the set of communications services;
• receiving the set of requested communications services from the remote server;
• and
• installing the set of requested communications services on the customer platform.

A service node for providing a set of communications services at a location remote from a communications service provider, comprising:

• means for storing the set of communications services;
• and
• a service module configured to
• request the set of communications services from a remote server, wherein the remote server is provided by the communications service provider;
• install the set of requested communications services at the service node;
• transmit to the remote server a request to remove a communication service in the set of communications services;
• receive acknowledgment of the removal request from the remote server;
• and
• remove the communication service from the set of communications services at the service node.

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, execution of which by a computing device causes the computing device to perform operations enabling the provision of a set of communications services on a customer platform provided by a customer of a service provider, the operations comprising:

• authenticating the customer platform to the remote server via a certificate identifying the customer platform;
• requesting a set of communications services from a remote server;
• receiving the set of requested communications services from the remote server;
• and
• installing the set of requested communications services on the customer platform.

A method for providing communications services via a local area network (LAN), comprising:

• receiving, at a service module in the LAN, a communications message for delivery to a first user of the LAN, wherein the service module includes a set of communications services for the LAN;
• routing the received communications message over the LAN to a device associated with the first user;
• and
• receiving a request from a second user to modify the set of communications services provided by the service module.