Abstract: A system and method are provided for customer support. The system may include an authentication application configured to receive a user's login. An authentication database can be provided that contains user security information and support contract data. The authentication application can identify a support access level based on the user security information as combined with the support contract data from the authentication database. A support application can be configured to supply defined deliverables based on the support access level linked to the support user under the support contract.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for improving the performance of a dynamically configurable computer system. The dynamically configurable computer system is created from components disposed in a dynamically reconfigurable computing environment. The method includes ascertaining a set of configuration parameters pertaining to a model computer system within the dynamically configurable computing environment. The model computer system is different from the dynamically configurable computer system. The method further includes optimizing the dynamically configurable computer system using at least a portion of the set of configuration parameters. The optimizing causes the dynamically configurable computer system to perform differently after the optimizing.

Abstract: The present invention provides restaurant management method in which a customer operates a computing device to make requests. A waiter can fulfill the request on the next visit to the customer's table, instead of having to visit the table first to obtain the request and requiring a second visit to fulfill the request.

Abstract: A method for managing user feedback data is disclosed. The method includes receiving the user feedback data. The method also includes categorizing the user feedback data using a data transformation engine, thereby creating categorized user feedback data, whereby a first data item of the user feedback data that fails to be categorized in accordance with a set of existing categorization rules by the data transformation engine is flagged for attention.

Abstract: A method for adjusting voice levels of participants in a teleconference that involves a plurality of teleconference stations is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first audio input from one of the teleconference stations. The method further includes electronically ascertaining whether a volume of the first audio input is acceptable. If the volume of the first audio input is unacceptable, the method includes indicating to one of the participants via the one of the teleconference stations that the volume of the first audio input is unacceptable. Such indicating is performed in a manner that is substantially transparent to at least another of the participants.

Abstract: Diagnostic data-collection software is triggered by a fault in application software running on a client computer. Data gathered by the diagnostic software is transmitted to a computer system of a service vendor. Analysis software running on the vendor system analyzes the diagnostic data and generates recommendations. The recommendations are posted on a vendor-managed website. The client is informed by email of a URL to access the recommendations. After a validation procedure, the client can access the recommendations. The recommendations can include instructions for a human to execute as well as software to be downloaded to the client computer.