Abstract: An alarm access controller is operative to control access to an enterprise network of a communication system responsive to alarms generated by products that are part of a set of internal resources of the enterprise network. In one aspect, the alarm access controller is implemented by a server or other processing element comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The alarm access controller is configured to receive an alarm from one of the products, to identify an external service provider for handling the alarm, and to provide temporary authenticated access of the service provider to the product. By limiting service provider access to an alarm-generating product in accordance with specified time periods or other conditions determined based at least in part on the alarm itself, system security is considerably improved and access control is made more flexible and efficient.

Abstract: An entry in an authentication database of an enterprise network is activated responsive to generation of an alarm by a corresponding product that is part of a set of internal resources of the enterprise network. A dynamic URL or other resource identifier based on the activated entry is supplied to an external service provider associated with the product. The external service provider is granted access to the product responsive to submission of the resource identifier by the service provider.

Abstract: A virtual contract system is provided that can collect contract information for one or more products or support services. The information can be collected from one or more data sources including from service databases, BP databases, from equipment memory, etc. The information may be organized into a single “virtual contract.” To promote discussion and agreement on renewal of support contracts, the same virtual contract is displayed to the supplier/servicer and to the BP/customer. The display or user interface allows the servicer and customer to negotiate and approve the renewal contract and to agree on the sale of new products or services. Upon completing the negotiation, the virtual contract system can save the data regarding the virtual contract to the several data sources.

Abstract: An SSL VPN gateway or other type of secure gateway is operative to control access to an enterprise network of a communication system. The gateway in accordance with an aspect of the invention comprises an alarm manager. The alarm manager receives an alarm from a vendor product that is part of a set of internal resources of the enterprise network, and routes the alarm to an external service provider for processing. The gateway receives from the service provider, responsive to the alarm, a federated identity which encompasses a plurality of technicians, expert systems or other servicing elements of the service provider. The gateway may grant one or more particular servicing elements of the service provider access to the alarm-generating vendor product based on the federated identity.

Abstract: An entry in an authentication database of an enterprise network is activated responsive to generation of an alarm by a corresponding product that is part of a set of internal resources of the enterprise network. A dynamic URL or other resource identifier based on the activated entry is supplied to an external service provider associated with the product. The external service provider is granted access to the product responsive to submission of the resource identifier by the service provider.

Abstract: An alarm access controller is operative to control access to an enterprise network of a communication system responsive to alarms generated by products that are part of a set of internal resources of the enterprise network. In one aspect, the alarm access controller is implemented by a server or other processing element comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The alarm access controller is configured to receive an alarm from one of the products, to identify an external service provider for handling the alarm, and to provide temporary authenticated access of the service provider to the product. By limiting service provider access to an alarm-generating product in accordance with specified time periods or other conditions determined based at least in part on the alarm itself, system security is considerably improved and access control is made more flexible and efficient.