Patent ID: 7933815

Claim:
A system for obtaining technical support services over a network comprising: a task matching server connected to the network and comprising a library of provider profiles comprising qualifications of registered providers of technical support services; and a seeker computer, wherein the seeker computer comprises a first processor configured with software executable instructions to cause the seeker computer to perform operations comprising: submitting a search request from a registered seeker to the task matching server, wherein the search request comprises search criteria for identifying registered providers having specific qualifications; receiving from the task matching server a list of the registered providers having provider profiles in the library of provider profiles meeting the search criteria; and submitting a request for technical services to the task matching server, wherein the service request comprises an identifier of a service provider selected from the list; and the task matching server comprises a second processor that is configured with software executable instructions that cause the task matching server to perform operations comprising: searching the library of provider profiles against the search criteria; forwarding the request for technical support services from the seeker computer to a computer of the selected service provider; forwarding a quotation for technical support services from the computer of the selected service provider; forwarding a response to the quotation from the seeker computer to the computer of the selected service provider; and establishing a link between the computer of the selected provider and a network accessible device in need of support services if the response from the seeker computer is an acceptance of the quotation, wherein the computer of the selected provider computer is adapted for accessing the network accessible device via the link so as to facilitate the provision of technical support services.