Abstract: Amongst the many interactions people have are those which are unplanned such as door-to-door salespersons, charity canvassers, etc. In such situations the individual receiving the unplanned visit is disadvantaged in gaining information to make an informed decision in respect of the services offered to them. According to the invention a social networking application exploiting ad-hoc communications establishes a request for a visit with an individual allowing them to accept/decline as well as opportunity through the social networking application to retrieve information regarding the standing of the business, the individual, products as well as customer feedback. This additional information forming part of their decision making process. Businesses not part of the social networking application therefore derive reduced success in cold calling. Alternative embodiments allow for improved efficiencies in delivery/collection as well as pull based “wish” requesting from the individual rather than push advertising.

Abstract: Social networking has become a significant aspect of many peoples lives as they communicate with others who are members of the same social networking application. In many instances members who have joined these social networks to find other individuals with similar interests are unaware that every day they are passing hundreds of people some of whom have these same interests but have not joined the same social network for reasons which may include embarrassment, unfamiliarity with computers, etc. Further full utilization of these social networks is really geared to users in front of their computers rather than their wireless devices which are with them most of the time. According to the invention users manage local profiles on their wireless devices which form ad-hoc networks with any other devices they encounter, exchange profile data to establish a degree of commonality or interests, and may meet during their normal daily lives.

Abstract: Today failure or degradation in a single item of equipment for telecommunications or cable provider can impact one customer through to thousands of customers. Usually the first indication, particularly with customer premises equipment, is a call from the customer which if not resolved by the call centre staff triggers a series of visits from technicians over a period of days to weeks. It would be beneficial instead for the notification of the issue to go from the service provider to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for resolution using their additional resources before dispatching a repair technician. OEM engagement providing improved resolution as issues known to OEM and repairs resolution would not be known to the staff of the service provider. The OEM may then directly engage a professional services organization to perform the repair operation, with spares provided from the OEM warehouses identified in their initial analysis of the issue.