1. A computer system to process task requests from front-end software applications, the computer system being programmed to: receive a task request from a front-end software application, the task request including input values and a task name that is associated with an analytical task of a particular type to be executed; use the task request to select a subset of the input values needed for execution of the analytical task of the particular type; create a task invocation request that includes the selected input values; and send the task invocation request to an analytical engine capable of executing the analytical task of the particular type.