Abstract: The seller of computer components who has developed the process for configuring computer systems or networks provides a configuration process comprising a prompting system or computer purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser of one of said computer systems, allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries which are indicative of the system needs solution of that purchaser, and tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers.

Abstract: A distributer of the computer components, which has developed the process for configuring computer systems or networks, provides to the seller or reseller a configuration process comprising a prompting system for computer purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser of one of said computer systems, allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries, and tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period. There is presented to the seller a tiered structure of financial incentive levels offered by the distributer based upon said quantities of allocated computer components and enabling the distributer to dynamically modify the levels of said tiered structure of financial incentives.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for generating the second phase (i.e. software for which redistribution rights are limited) of a preload image for networks. The reseller is not required to answer numerous and often repetitive prompts for each application, but merely the location of the desired application.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing the computer network components, including hardware, software, peripherals and services (i.e. internet and online backup). This, in order to make the creation of a computer network environment more user friendly, highly organized and easy to follow. The present invention is specifically targeted at the small business owner, in order to enable them to efficiently establish their own network system. This system will enable them to run their businesses more productively, with greater ease and less down time. This is accomplished through the use of an effective kit or packaging system containing all the required network components.

Abstract: A user interactive display computer process and program, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring computer systems and networks including the computer components. The process involves prompting system purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser using one of said computer systems and networks and then allocating the computer components to the networks and systems based upon said user entries. The quantities of the computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period are tracked and stored. Then, a determination is made as to whether the quantities of components thereby allocated during the time period exceed a selected level and if the level is exceeded, fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process are foregone.

Abstract: A system is provided for the configuration of operations in a network comprising at least a server computer and a respective plurality of client computers connected to each server computer. The system involves the combination of means for interactively prompting a user to make a sequence of data entries, each of said entries being apparently unrelated to computer operations and covering a demographic aspect of the business environment using the network, and means for allocating network computing components and operations among the computers in the network in response to and based upon said user entries. All of the programming resources which are allocated may be found in the server and the algorithms for allocating and distributing are also on the server. The allocation of programs by the server computer is based upon user profiles for each user developed as a result of the data entries made in response to the above-described prompt panels.

Abstract: A network of a server and a plurality of client computers for small businesses which is easy to install, configure and operate and still provides all of the users in the business with the same transparent access to all of their allocated software resources through a same graphical user interface irrespective of which one of the client computers in the network they may sign onto. The operating systems and the application programs to be used on the client computers are loaded on the server. The users have been prompted for the one time input of data required by the server computer to allocate an operating system and application programs for use by each of a plurality of users on each of the plurality of client computers.

Abstract: A method for installing programs, settings and configurations in a network of a plurality of server and client computers is provided which involves the steps of designating one of said server computers having an interactive display interface to function as the primary server computer, preloading all of the programs to be installed in said server and client computers of the network into the primary server computer and running a sequence of the keystroke and cursor entries required to install said selected components and programs on said server and client computers as recorded in a data file representative of said sequence of entries stored in said primary server computer, whereby said programs and components are automatically loaded into the respective server and client computers in said network requiring said programs and components.

Abstract: A system is provided for setting up what is in effect a “plug and play” local area network for small businesses comprising a server computer and a plurality of client computers. The server computer is preloaded with a network operating system, an operating system for each of the client computers and substantially all application programs to be used by the client computers. There is a programmed interactive display interface in the server computer for interactively prompting a user to make a sequence of data entries relative to the computing needs of the client computers and the users of the client computers. The server computer is then physically interconnected with the client computers. Then means in the server computer allocate the client operating systems and the application programs as needed by the user of the client computers based upon the set up resulting from the prompted data entries.

Abstract: A data processing system, method, and program product for automating creation of accounts in a network are disclosed. According to the method, an account registry for a first network is accessed in response to a selected input in order to obtain account information including a plurality of usernames. The account information is then provided to an account manager for a second network that, in response to receipt of the account information, automatically creates accounts in the second network for each of the plurality of usernames.

Abstract: A computer network includes a plurality of clients coupled to a server. The server includes data storage that stores network administration software and a shared client operating system. In response to detection of a new client attached to the computer network that has not previously been attached, the network administration software boots the shared client operating system on the new client. In one embodiment, the network administration software boots the shared client operating system on the new client in response to obtaining user logon information, where the user logon information is the only user input required for the network administration software to boot the shared client operating system on the new client.

Abstract: A method for the configuration of a network made up of server and client computers is provided, which involves the setting of a primary server having an interactive display and the installation of all of the application programs and the driver programs, which may be required to support internal and external components of all of the other server and client computers in the network which is controlled through entries to the interactive display interface of said primary server computer. Similarly, the operating system installation for the server and client computers may be controlled through entries to this primary server computer interface. Also, adapters required by the other server and client computers to support various components are selected through entries made through the interface to the primary server computer.

Abstract: There is provided a prerecorded stored data file of a sequence of keystrokes and interactive display cursor selections for controlling the subsequent configuration of a network comprising a plurality of server computers and a plurality of client computers. This data file is created by predetermining the components and the programs to be supported by each of said server and client computers in said network and the configuration of said network, making the interactive keystroke and cursor entries required to install said predetermined components and programs on said server and client computers through the display interface of a primary one of said server computers and making the interactive keystroke and cursor entries required for further configuration of said network through said display interface. This sequence of said entries in a recorded data file in said primary server computer.