1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising: a client station interface function configured to cause an online server-based information distribution service to recognize a request for a particular application function to be executed, at least in part, on behalf of a client station, wherein the particular application function is obtaining updated information related to a financial plan or a financial portfolio; a first transport function configured to cause the online server-based information distribution service to provide the client station with a software component element that is configured to enable user interface or data access functions in a multi-function application software package running on an operating system operated at the client station, the multi-function application software package being configured to enable communication with a plurality of independently operated online server-based information distribution services that are respectively configured to execute different application functions offered by independent application function providers on behalf of the client station, wherein the user interface or data access functions are configured to support execution of the particular application function, at least in part, at the online server-based information distribution service, and the software component element includes a form and program logic related to the financial plan or the financial portfolio; and a second transport function configured to cause the online server-based information distribution service to provide the updated information related to the financial plan or the financial portfolio in response to the software component element being invoked at the client station.