Systems and Methods for Management of Local Devices
Systems, methods and devices which provide controls to a parent entity over computing resources residing with an agent entity are discussed herein. In one example, embodiments may allow a parent entity to control peripheral hardware devices which are otherwise controlled locally by a computing device at an agent location. Further, in one embodiment, a parent entity may control the receipt of information from an agent computing device in order to authenticate the agent device. In one embodiment, such control may be implemented via a shell application that executes on an agent computing device when the agent is processing a financial transaction via a web browser interface.
1 . A method comprising:
providing a web-based interface which allows an agent to provide details regarding a financial transaction from an agent computing device;
providing, by a processing device, a shell application to the agent computing device wherein the shell application is configured to access resources of the agent computing device wherein the shell application is remotely reconfigurable by a parent entity; and
utilizing the web-based interface and resources accessed by the shell application to facilitate the financial transaction.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the shell application is configured to compile an authentication fingerprint of the agent computing device to a central server.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the shell application is configured to provide a central server with authentication information corresponding to the agent computing device upon a financial transaction being initiated.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the shell application is configured to control access to one or more peripheral devices on the agent computing device.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the peripheral devices are selected from a group comprising a printer, a money order printer, a pin pad and a signature pad.
6 . The method of claim 4 wherein the one or more peripheral devices are directly connected to the agent computing device.
7 . The method of claim 4 wherein the one or more peripheral devices are connected to the agent computing device via local network.
8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the shell application via a central server.
9 . A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable medium with code encoded thereon which, when executed causes one or more processing devices to:
administer a web-based interface which allows an agent to provide details regarding a financial transaction from an agent computing device;
administer a shell application to the agent computing device wherein the shell application is configured to access resources of the agent computing device; and
utilize the web-based interface and resources accessed by the shell application to facilitate the financial transaction.
10 . The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the shell application is configured to compile an authentication fingerprint of the agent computing device to a central server.
11 . The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the shell application is configured to provide a central server with authentication information corresponding to the agent computing device upon a financial transaction being initiated.
12 . The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the shell application is configured to control access to one or more peripheral devices on the agent computing device.
13 . The computer program product of claim 12 wherein the peripheral devices are selected from a group comprising a printer, a money order printer, a pin pad and a signature pad.
14 . The computer program product of claim 12 wherein the one or more peripheral devices are directly connected to the agent computing device.
15 . The computer program product of claim 12 wherein the one or more peripheral devices are connected to the agent computing device via local network.
16 . The computer program product of claim 9 further comprising code which, when executed is configured to update the shell application via a central server.
17 . A method comprising:
receiving transaction data at a central server, said transaction data entered at an agent device via a web interface;
authenticating the agent device by receiving data provided via a shell application residing on the agent device;
upon authenticating the agent device, providing access, by said central server, to one or more resources on the agent device via the shell application.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein providing access to one or more resources on the agent device includes providing access to a money order printer connected to the agent device.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein said providing access to one or more resources includes controlling a peripheral device connected to the agent device in order to require compliance with one or more requirements pertinent to the transaction.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein requiring compliance includes causing the peripheral device to print multiple copies of a transaction receipt.
21 . The method of claim 19 wherein requiring compliance includes causing the peripheral device to obtain a signature of a transacting party.
22 . The method of claim 19 wherein requiring compliance includes causing the peripheral device to obtain a pin number of a transacting party.
23 . The method of claim 19 wherein said requirement is a procedural requirement of a parent entity.
24 . The method of claim 19 wherein said requirement is a regulatory requirement of a governmental entity.
25 . The method of claim 17 wherein authenticating the agent device includes comparing received authentication data to an agent device fingerprint.
26 . An apparatus configured for implementing financial transactions, the apparatus comprising:
an agent computer having at least one processor and memory coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
execute a web-based transaction application which allows a user to input transaction details in order to initiate a financial transaction; and
execute a shell application which provides a pre-determined level of access to resources of the agent computer, said level access provided by the shell application controlled by a central server.
27 . The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said pre-determined level of access grants permission to utilize a peripheral device which is in communication with the agent computer.
28 . The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said pre-determined level of access grants access to utilize a peripheral device in a specific manner.
29 . The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the specific manner includes requiring the peripheral device to function in order to meet a governmental regulatory requirement for implementing financial transactions.
30 . The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the specific manner includes requiring the peripheral device to function in order to meet an internal procedural requirement of a parent entity which controls the central server for implementing financial transactions.
31 . The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the specific manner requires that a peripheral device is configured to require one or more of multiple printed copies of a transaction receipt to be printed and to obtain a signature from a transacting party.