Abstract: A method of offering and refreshing content on fixed image platforms which includes storing a fixed image on an imaging server, storing content which is regularly updated in an imaging server, merging the fixed image and at least some of the content to provide a merged fixed image, and installing the merged fixed image onto a fixed image platform is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of managing licenses for content installed onto information handling systems which includes storing an image and regularly updated content on an imaging server, storing license information relating to the content on a license management server, merging the image and at least some of the content to provide a merged image, installing the merged image onto an information handling system and installing license information relating to at least some of the content onto the information handling system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enabling services on a fixed image platform which includes installing a fixed image onto an information handling system, installing a key creation utility onto the information handling system, during initial power on of the information handling system executing the key creation utility to create a key, and using the key to activate a service. The information handling system includes a unique system identifier.

Abstract: A method for automatically installing a software image onto an information handling system. The method includes reading an order for an information handling system, reading an image manifest, installing an image specified by the image manifest onto the information handing system as installed software, and automatically configuring the installed software.

Abstract: A system for factory installation of software that configures the storage resources in one or more file servers as a “cache.” The factory installation system includes at least one file server coupled to a storage management engine (SME) which is coupled to a library server. A target customer system being loaded with software is coupled to the file servers and library server. The library server will have sufficient storage capacity to maintain all of the software that may be requested by a target customer system. The storage management engine will determine which software programs included on the file server memory have been the least recently used and delete those files, thus causing the remaining files on the server memory to be the most recently used. When a target customer computer is being loaded, a request is first made to the file severs for the desired software. If the desired programs are located on the file servers, then a download to the customer computer is implemented.

Abstract: A system for factory installation of software that configures the storage resources in one or more file servers as a “cache.” The factory installation system includes at least one file server coupled to a storage management engine (SME) which is coupled to a library server. A target customer system being loaded with software is coupled to the file servers and library server. The library server will have sufficient storage capacity to maintain all of the software that may be requested by a target customer system. The storage management engine will determine which software programs included on the file server memory have been the least recently used and delete those files, thus causing the remaining files on the server memory to be the most recently used. When a target customer computer is being loaded, a request is first made to the file severs for the desired software. If the desired programs are located on the file servers, then a download to the customer computer is implemented.