Customer calls for maintenance and repair for customer equipment are handled
automatically in a computerized network. A central dispatch office receives customer
trouble calls. A number of available technicians, in the same geographic location
as the customer, can accept the assignment to clear the customer equipment problem.
Each of the technicians has a hand-held wireless computing device that communicates
wirelessly over the Internet with the main server computer at the central dispatch
office. The main server computer automatically creates a service call for each
customer problem and these service calls are communicated wirelessly over the Internet
to the technician's hand-held device. Various screens on the hand-held device allow
the technician enter job completion data, and order parts and equipment, and carry
out customer contact maintenance functions. The main server computer invoices and
bills the customer for the completed work.
