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: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, create configuration data for a document and display the document via the configuration data. In an embodiment, the configuration data includes display properties, such as icons and description text, associated with elements in the document. In various embodiments, the configuration data may also include graphical element editors, queries, bookmarks, and validation rules. The elements in the document are displayed by interpreting the associated elements in the configuration data. In an embodiment, elements are read from a schema, which is associated with the document. In response to selection of an element, the selected element is defined as a path in configuration data, a selected display property for the selected element is set in the configuration data, and a selected element editor for the selected element is set in the configuration data.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for testing data driven software systems and, more particularly, for creating test data configured for testing data driven software systems. One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method of creating test data configured for testing a data driven software system. The method comprises retrieving a configuration schema describing structure and layout of configuration data suitable for driving the software system. The method further comprises retrieving a set of constraints suitable to establish boundaries on possible permutations of the configuration data. The test data is generated on the basis of the configuration schema and the set of constraints.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment recommend an offering to a client based on inventory data received from a client, a condition, and a threshold. The client provides the inventory data, which in various embodiments may be an inventory of hardware and/or software installed at the client and/or an inventory of data that describes performance characteristics and/or a trend of the client. In this way, an offering, such as an offer to provide goods or services, can be targeted to the client based on the specific needs of the client.