System and method for supporting a worker in a distributed work environment

摘要

A distributed work environment is presented in which a plurality of mobile workers using portable computing devices can gain access to a network via network access stations installed within the work environment. Each network access station is associated with a physical location within the work environment and includes a unique station identifier that may be associated with the physical location. Upon connection to the network, the unique station identifier is provided to a location/association system on the network. Based on the unique station identifier, the location/association system may provide the worker associated with the computing device access to privileges and services associated with the physical location. The computing device may also provide to the location/association system a unique device identifier associated with the computing device and/or the worker's identity. Based on the unique device identifier, the location/association system may provide additional privileges and services in accordance with the worker's specified preferences.