Bimodal computer-based system for selling financial products

Abstract

Disclosed are computer-implemented systems and software comprising a software module configured to provide financial product education, research, and recommendation tools, the tools operating in a self-service mode adapted for use by a consumer; a software module configured to provide the financial product education, research, and recommendation tools, the tools operating in a collaboration mode, the collaboration mode comprising a sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative; and a software module configured to generate a unique code for the consumer, the code providing persistence of state and data information between the self-service mode and the collaboration mode across locations and interfaces without authentication. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the same.

1 . Non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a computer program including instructions executable by a processor to create an application comprising:
 c. a software module configured to generate a unique code for a user, the code providing persistence of state and data information between a first mode and a second mode of a web site across locations and interfaces without authentication, wherein the code is generated in either the first mode or the second mode and provides persistence of state and data information in a subsequent web session in either mode.   
     
     
         2 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the web site, operating in the second mode and accessed via the unique code, comprises pre-populated data and state information collected in the first mode. 
     
     
         3 . The storage media of  claim 2 , wherein the web site, operating in the second mode, is further accessible by means other than the unique code. 
     
     
         4 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the web site operating in the first mode and accessed via the unique code, comprises pre-populated data and state information collected in the second mode. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the unique code is an alphanumeric code, a linear bar code, or a two-dimensional bar code. 
     
     
         9 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the second mode comprises a sales overlay, the sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative together with a consumer, the sales overlay providing the sales representative with tools for selling products to the consumer. 
     
     
         10 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide sales reports. 
     
     
         11 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide games and selling contests to motivate, measure, and incent sales representatives. 
     
     
         12 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide a tool to find a sales representative based on location. 
     
     
         13 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application is offered as software-as-a-service. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented system comprising:
 a. a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory device;   b. a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create an application comprising
 iii. a software module configured to generate a unique code for a user, the code providing persistence of state and data information between a first mode and a second mode of a web site across locations and interfaces without authentication, wherein the code is generated in either the first mode or the second mode and provides persistence of state and data information in a subsequent web session in either mode. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the web site, operating in the second mode and accessed via the unique code, comprises pre-populated data and state information collected in the first mode. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the web site, operating in the second mode, is accessible by means other than the unique code. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the web site, operating in the first mode and accessed via the unique code, comprises pre-populated data and state information collected in the second mode. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the unique code is an alphanumeric code, a linear bar code, or a two-dimensional bar code. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second mode comprises a sales overlay, the sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative together with a consumer, the sales overlay providing the sales representative with tools for selling products to the consumer. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide sales reports. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide games and selling contests to motivate, measure, and incent sales representatives. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide a tool to find a sales representative based on location. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application is offered as software-as-a-service. 
     
     
         27 . Non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a unique code, the code providing persistence across locations and interfaces without authentication between first and second operating modes of a web application wherein the code is generated in either the first mode or the second mode and provides persistence of state and data information in a subsequent web session in either mode. 
     
     
         28 . The storage media of  claim 27 , wherein the unique code provides persistence of data and state information between a self-service mode and a collaboration mode. 
     
     
         29 . The storage media of  claim 27 , wherein the unique code is an alphanumeric code, a linear bar code, or a two-dimensional bar code. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)