AU2012100127A4 - A web server for vending ancillary services - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT A WEB SERVER FOR VENDING ANCILLARY SERVICES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Field of the Invention [01] The present invention relates to online procurement and in particular to a web server for vending ancillary services. [02] The invention has been developed primarily for use in the real estate industry and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background [03] Online procurement systems allow users to purchase consumer items, order services and the like. However, such online procurement systems suffer from the disadvantage of offering individual items and services, potentially losing sales of other items and services that a customer may be interested in. [04] The present invention seeks to provide a web server which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [05] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary [06] According to one aspect, there is provided a web server for vending ancillary services comprising a processor for processing digital data; a memory device for storing digital data including computer program code and being coupled to the processor via a bus; a network interface for sending and receiving digital data and being coupled to the processor via the bus; and a database for storing digital data including ancillary service data representing one or more ancillary services, the database being coupled to the processor via the bus, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, service selection data representing a selected service; select, from the database, the ancillary service data in accordance with the service selection data; send, via the network interface, the ancillary service data; receive, via the network interface, selected ancillary service data representing an ancillary service selection from the one or more ancillary services; and facilitate an e commerce transaction in accordance with the selected ancillary service data. [07] Advantageously, the web server is adapted for the selection of appropriate ancillary services in relation to a service and for vending the ancillary services.

[08] Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, return request data representing a return request, the return request data comprising ancillary service identification data representing a vended ancillary service; and facilitate an e-commerce refund transaction in accordance with the ancillary service identification data. [09] Advantageously, the web server is adapted for allowing the return of one or more items from an ancillary service for a refund. [10] Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface, voucher data representing a voucher; select, from the database, a discount amount in accordance with the voucher data; and in facilitating the e-commerce transaction, apply the discount amount. [11] Advantageously, the web server is adapted for allowing vouchers to be used when purchasing an ancillary service. [12] Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface, ancillary service configuration data representing a configuration of the selected ancillary service, and store, in the database, the ancillary service configuration data in relation to the ancillary service data. [13] Advantageously, the web server is adapted for allowing a user to customise an ancillary service in accordance with the user's requirements. [14] Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface, service configuration data representing a configuration of the selected ancillary service, and serve in response to a resource request, via the network interface, the service configuration data. [15] Advantageously, the web server is adapted for allowing a user to list one or more items on the web server for serving to web browsers. [16] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [17] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [18] Fig. 1 shows a computing device on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [19] Fig. 2 shows a network of computing devices on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [20] Fig. 3 shows a computer implemented method for vending ancillary services in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [21] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments [22] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [23] Fig. 1 shows a computing device 100 on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented. In particular the steps of the method of vending ancillary services may be implemented as computer program code instructions executable by the computing device 100. The computer program code instructions may be divided into one or more computer program code instruction libraries, such as dynamic link libraries (DLL), wherein each of the libraries performs a one or more steps of the method. Additionally, a subset of the one or more of the libraries may perform graphical user interface tasks relating to the steps of the method. [24] The device 100 comprises semiconductor memory 110 comprising volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 100 may comprise either RAM or ROM or a combination of RAM and ROM. [25] The device 100 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 130 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage media 120. The storage media 120 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks. [26] The device further comprises 1/O interface 140 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The I/O interface 140 may offer both serial and parallel interface connectivity. For example, the I/O interface 140 may comprise a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar I/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 130. The I/O interface 140 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 160 such as keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like. The I/O interface 140 may also comprise a computer to computer interface, such as a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) interface, for interfacing the device 100 with one or more personal computer (PC) devices 190. The I/O interface 140 may also comprise an audio interface for communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 1050, such as a speaker or a buzzer. [27] The device 100 also comprises a network interface 170 for communicating with one or more computer networks 180. The network 180 may be a wired network, such as a wired EthernetTM network or a wireless network, such as a BluetoothTM network or IEEE 802.11 network. The network 180 may be a local area network (LAN), such as a home or office computer network, or a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet or private WAN. [28] The device 100 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 1000 for performing the computer program code instructions. The processor 1000 may be a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer (CISC) processor or the like. The device 100 further comprises a storage device 1030, such as a magnetic disk hard drive or a solid state disk drive. [29] Computer program code instructions may be loaded into the storage device 1030 from the storage media 120 using the storage medium reader 130 or from the network 180 using network interface 170. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded from the storage device 1030 into the memory 110. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 1000 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 110, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores one or more intermediate results in memory 100. [30] In this manner, the instructions stored in the memory 110, when retrieved and executed by the processor 1000, may configure the computing device 100 as a special-purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein. [31] The device 100 also comprises a video interface 1010 for conveying video signals to a display device 1020, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device. [32] The device 100 also comprises a communication bus subsystem 150 for interconnecting the various devices described above. The bus subsystem 150 may offer parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCIe), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like. [33] Fig. 2 shows a network 200 of computing devices 100 on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented. The network 200 comprises a web server 210 for serving web pages to one or more client computing devices 220 over the Internet 230. [34] The web server 210 is provided with a web server application 240 for receiving requests, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) requests, and serving hypertext web pages or files in response. The web server application 240 may be, for example the Apache T M or the Microsoft TM IIS HTTP server. [35] The web server 210 is also provided with a hypertext preprocessor 250 for processing one or more web page templates 260 and data from one or more databases 270 to generate hypertext web pages. The hypertext preprocessor may, for example, be the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) or Microsoft AspTM hypertext preprocessor. The web server 210 is also provided with web page templates 260, such as one or more PHP or ASP files. [36] Upon receiving a request from the web server application 240, the hypertext preprocessor 250 is operable to retrieve a web page template, from the web page templates 260, execute any dynamic content therein, including updating or loading information from the one or more databases 270, to compose a hypertext web page. The composed hypertext web page may comprise client side code, such as Javascript, for Document Object Model (DOM) manipulating, asynchronous HTTP requests and the like. [37] Client computing devices 220 are provided with a browser application 280, such as the Mozilla FirefoxTM or Microsoft Internet Explorer TM browser applications. The browser application 280 requests hypertext web pages from the web server 210 and renders the hypertext web pages on a display device 1020. [38] As is evident from the technical description below, the embodiments described herein offer several distinct advantages, including to users of the network 200 of computing devices 100, such as offering choice to customers, wherein customer's only those ancillary services using the web server 210 and are not bound to typical packages of service agents. Furthermore, by being able to select ancillary services as required, customers may not be subject to the usual professional services commission. [39] Fig. 3 shows a computer implemented method 300 for vending ancillary services. The method 300 is executed by one or more computing devices 100 and in particular one or more computing devices 100 connected across the Internet 230 as substantially shown in Fig. 2.

[40] In particular, the steps of the method 300 described below may be implemented by the web server 210 for vending ancillary services. Herein, the web server 210 comprises a processor 1000 for processing digital data; a memory device 110 for storing digital data including computer program code and being coupled to the processor 1000 via a bus 150; a network interface 170 for sending and receiving digital data and being coupled to the processor 1000 via the bus 150; and a database 270 for storing digital data including ancillary service data representing one or more ancillary services, the database 270 being coupled to the processor 1000 via the bus 150. [41] The method 300 starts at step 305 wherein the processor 1000 is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the network interface 170, service selection data representing a selected service. [42] Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) 400. The GUI 400 is displayed by the display device 1020 of the client computing device 220 coupled to the web server 210 across the internet 230. Herein, the embodiments will be described with reference to the real estate industry but it should be appreciated that application may be found in other service related industries too. [43] In GUI 400, a user has selected a listing service for the purposes of selling a property. There are various manners by which the web server 210 receives service selection data from the user representing the listing service. For example, the user may browse, using browser application 280, to a particular resource using a URL, such that the web server 210 is able to calculate that the user is requesting the listing service. In alternative embodiments, the user may select from a web form one of one or more services. As shown in Fig. 4, GUI 400 comprises input means 405 allowing the user to configure the listings service. The web server 210 may furthermore be adapted to allow the user to pay for the listings service. [44] At step 310 of method 300, the web server 210, is adapted to select, from the database 270, the ancillary service data in accordance with the service selection data. For example, the database 210 may comprise a relational database having a first table relating to services and a second table (or the same table) relating to ancillary services. In this manner, the web server 210, having identified the service (such as by a unique ID, for example) may execute the following structured query: SELECT * FROM ancillary services JOIN services USING(service key id) WHERE service id=36 [45] As such, in this manner, the web server 210 is able to select one or more ancillary services related to the service. The ancillary service may comprise any service as per the actual implementation, but using the example above, may also include professional services such as services from a mortgage broker, solicitors, conveyancers, cleaners, building/pest reporters, property stylists, furniture hirers, removalists, exterior pre-sale property presenters and the like. Others services are also described herein. In one embodiment, the system 200 may be adapted to store, in the database 270 pricing for such services such that the system is able to quote on such services. [46] In one embodiments, the web server 210 is adapted to implement a communication means, such as by simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), (Internet relay chat) IRC and the like so as to act as an intermediary in, for example, a real estate transaction where the web server 210 is able to facilitate sales price and other terms negotiations with a prospective purchaser on behalf of a seller. [47] At step 315 the web server 210 is adapted for sending, via the interface 170, the ancillary service data. Referring again to Fig. 4, GUI 400 comprises exemplary ancillary service information 410. In the example shown, the ancillary services relate to: a. Professional photography for the listing service; b. An interactive floor plan generation for the listing service; and c. A signboard for the listing service. [48] Each ancillary service information 410 may comprises a descriptive heading 435, price 440 and image 445. It should be noted that other ancillary services may be equally applicable, depending on the application. [49] At step 320 of method 300, the web server 210 receives, via the interface, selected ancillary service data representing an ancillary service selection from the one or more ancillary services. For example, the user may elect to click on the 'Add to cart' hyperlink 415 or use the 'Add to wish list' 420. [50] In a preferred embodiment, the user may make use of a voucher and use the voucher link 425. [51] At step 325 the web server 210 is adapted to facilitate an e-commerce transaction in accordance with the selected ancillary service data. In this manner, the web server 210 may interact with an external payment processing API, redirect the user to a payment processing resource and the like. In one embodiment, the web server 210 is adapted to implement discounting on the payment price, such as by discounting sales priced during a certain discounting period. [52] In a preferred embodiment, the user may make return an item for a refund. For example, where the ancillary service relates to a physical item, such as a signboard 435, the user may elect to return the signboard after use by making use of the return item link 430. In this manner, the user may receive a 50% refund off the original purchase price, for example. The web server 210 may have confirmation means allowing the web server 210 to confirm that the item has been returned in good order, such as by way of an administrator interface operable by an administrator. In practice, the web server 210 is adapted to receive, via the interface 170, return request data representing a return request, the return request data comprising ancillary service identification data representing a vended ancillary service; and facilitate an e-commerce refund transaction in accordance with the ancillary service identification data. [53] In a preferred embodiment, the user may make use of a voucher and use the voucher link 425. For example, one or more voucher numbers may be provided. In this manner, the user may enter the voucher number into GUI 400 when using link 425. In this manner, the web server 210 is able to apply the discount when facilitating the financial transaction. In practice, the web server 210 is adapted to receive, via the network interface 170, voucher data representing a voucher; select, from the database 270, a discount amount in accordance with the voucher data; and in facilitating the e commerce transaction, apply the discount amount. [54] In a yet further embodiment, the web server 210 may be configured to allow the user to configure the ancillary service. For example, GUI 400 may comprise input selection means (not shown) allowing the number of professional photographs required by the user to be selected. In this manner, the web server 210 is adapted to receive, via the network interface 170, ancillary service configuration data representing a configuration of the selected ancillary service, and store, in the database 270, the ancillary service configuration data in relation to the ancillary service data. [55] In an even further preferred embodiment, the web server 210 is adapted for allowing the listings of one or more properties of the user. For example, the GUI 400 comprises one or more data input means 405 allowing the user to input data relating to the property listing. In this manner, the web server 210 is adapted to serve the property listing to one or more web browsers upon request. Specifically, the web server 210 is adapted for receiving, via the network interface, service configuration data representing a configuration of the selected ancillary service, and serving in response to a resource request, via the network interface 170, the service configuration data. On one embodiment the web server 210 is adapted for selecting the one or more ancillary services in accordance with the service configuration data. For example, using the example of GUI 400, the web server 210 may be adapted to provide the professional photography ancillary service only for property listings having a value over $800,000. Interpretation Wireless: [56] The invention may be embodied using devices conforming to other network standards and for other applications, including, for example other WLAN standards and other wireless standards. Applications that can be accommodated include IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs and links, and wireless Ethernet. [57] In the context of this document, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. In the context of this document, the term "wired" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices are coupled by electrically conductive wires. Processes: [58] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. Processor: [59] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors. [60] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. Computer-Readable Medium: [61] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein. Networked or Multiple Processors: [62] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. [63] Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Additional Embodiments: [64] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium. Carrier Medium: [65] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Implementation: [66] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system. Means For Carrying out a Method or Function [67] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

Coupled [68] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected", along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Embodiments: [69] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [70] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [71] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Specific Details [72] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [73] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [74] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [75] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [76] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [77] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [78] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the online service provider industries.

Claims (5)

1. A web server for vending ancillary services comprising: a processor for processing digital data; a memory device for storing digital data including computer program code and being coupled to the processor via a bus; a network interface for sending and receiving digital data and being coupled to the processor via the bus; and a database for storing digital data including ancillary service data representing one or more ancillary services, the database being coupled to the processor via the bus, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, service selection data representing a selected service; select, from the database, the ancillary service data in accordance with the service selection data; send, via the network interface, the ancillary service data; receive, via the network interface, selected ancillary service data representing an ancillary service selection from the one or more ancillary services; and facilitate an e-commerce transaction in accordance with the selected ancillary service data.

2. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, return request data representing a return request, the return request data comprising ancillary service identification data representing a vended ancillary service; and facilitate an e-commerce refund transaction in accordance with the ancillary service identification data.

3. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, voucher data representing a voucher; select, from the database, a discount amount in accordance with the voucher data; and in facilitating the e-commerce transaction, apply the discount amount.

4. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, ancillary service configuration data representing a configuration of the selected ancillary service, and store, in the database, the ancillary service configuration data in relation to the ancillary service data.

5. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the network interface, service configuration data representing a configuration of the selected ancillary service, and serve, in response to a resource request, via the network interface, the service configuration data.