Apparatus and method relating to the upgrading of software at a remote location

摘要

A method for upgrading software at remote locations (100) comprises uploading software upgrades to a portable computing device (206) and conveying the portable computing device to the remote locations (100). The portable computing device (26) ascertains the current software and hardware present at the remote location (100) and installs the requested software upgrade if no incompatibilities are detected. Further, the portable computing device stores a record of what service was performed and what software is presently in existence at the remote location (100). The portable computing device communicates with a corporate computer (202) which can use the records so created for accounting purposes. <IMAGE>