Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated methodology that simplifies upgrade choices for complex computer products through the use of automation and integration of product monitoring and business applications with, for example, web based capabilities. Historical information for computer systems is collected and transmitted to a remote support system. Over time, sufficient historical data provides a historical view of the systems indicative of usage and facilitating the choice of product enhancements, upgrades and customization. Further, this historical view may be integrated with the advances in the product that are kept by the remote support system as well as with the performance requirements of third party application providers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and a computer-readable program for providing autonomic, event driven upgrade maintenance of one or more software modules residing on a computer system. In a preferred embodiment, a method begins by detecting a predefined triggering event on the computer system indicative of a potential maintenance issue. Next the computer system connects to an upgrade management server, where the upgrade maintenance server creates a list of recommended upgrade modules to download to the computer system, the list based upon the triggering event and a set of selection policies. The method then downloads the list of recommended upgrade modules from the upgrade management server to the computer system, and selectively installs upgrade modules chosen from the list of recommended upgrade modules on the computer system. The user is then notified of the status of the upgrade maintenance operation.