Abstract: An activity tracking utility receives work activity information such as category and description of work performed, time spent, exceptions, and the like from a person performing the work or from a manager supervising the person. The utility prepares and provides reports based on collected data in real time or accrued modes to managers of various levels, other applications configured to consume the report data, and the like. Administrative changes may be performed setting parameters associated with tracking the activities. Permission levels for providing input and/or receiving reports may be set based on user credentials.

Abstract: A performance quality tracking utility receives information associated with quality of work activity for organization members from managerial members and/or the members whose activity is being tracked. Evaluation of the quality by assigned percentages, ratings, and the like is used by the tracking utility to prepare reports in real time or accrued modes to managers of various levels. Administrative configuration of evaluation and report preparation parameters is accomplished using input from organization members with sufficient credentials. Output reports may also include raw or formatted data for other applications configured to consume the report data. Recipients of reports may define an extent (member or group levels), time, and other properties of the reports based on their credentials.

Abstract: Distribution of network maintenance tasks is managed in a centralized manner. Information associated with components of a communication network, such as status, malfunctions, technical specifications, and the like, is collected from various data sources and tickets for repair or maintenance tasks are made available to technicians in a centralized list. Tickets are categorized in the list, which may be filtered based on individual technicians' credentials. Tasks accepted by technicians are blocked until they are completed or returned to the system. Feedback associated with progress of task completion is received from the assigned technicians. Managers are enabled to monitor and modify assignment of tasks. Updated information relating to network status and/or maintenance operations may be provided to relevant databases.

Abstract: A back-up utility for data based on user selectable configuration(s) is provided. A user interface enables users to define or select from default parameters for source and destination paths, frequency of back-ups, filters to be applied, and the like. Formatting, naming convention, and the like, of the source data may be modified in creating the back-up copy. Other considerations such as user credentials and permission levels may also be used to define or restrict back-up configuration parameters.

Abstract: Database connectivity without a need for installing database specific drivers on individual client machines/applications is provided. A database access application module resides on a server associated with the database(s) to be accessed. User interface modules residing on individual client machines/applications enable users to submit their queries or select from a set of predefined queries through the database access application module and receive result sets. Available databases and their properties are updated by the database access application module preventing delays and errors without a need to update database information on individual clients.

Abstract: A shoe member includes a plurality of securement webs directed about a lacing gap within the shoe upper, wherein the webs are each mounted slidably within associated cavities, with tether lines mounted to the webs operative above a crank pulley, with the crank pulley in operative engagement with a slidable actuator rod to effect projection of the securement webs forcibly within each respective cavity, wherein a gas cylinder is operative to effect rotation of the crank pulley by use of an associated slide rod within a guide cylinder to effect winding of each associated tether line relative to each associated securement web.