Importance

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Abstract

A computer network system includes a central software service site that operates with a customer interface through which a customer at a remote location can request service and receive updated executable code back from the service site. The customer interface provides a seamless front end across the different software platforms of the network. A customer initiates servicing of a program product by composing a service request through the front end, which provides a mechanism for the collection of information regarding the nature of the customer request. The front end permits the customer to specify a range of optional operations to be performed at the service site, including service research, requesting service, applying service, and installing fixes from the service site to the remote location. A service facility at the service site performs the requested service and provides the results back to the customer, or collects the service and returns the product and service to the remote location for application of service. The source code for the program product being updated resides only at the service site. All code is returned to the remote location over the network in a form that is ready to be executed. In a distributed implementation, the service site is provided as a central node and one or more slave nodes that also perform service.

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First Claim