Patent ID: 7092793

Claim:
In a computer system, a method for configuring a utility device to perform a service at a service environment, wherein the service performed by the utility device comprises application of a chemical solution to articles, the chemical solution being formed by combining a rinse agent and a chemical product in a solution tank, the method comprising: providing a graphical user interface through which a field service person inputs one or more parameters associated with the service environment; receiving through the graphical user interface a first parameter relating to a soil level on the articles; receiving through the graphical user interface a second parameter relating to a specific type of water used to form the rinse agent; receiving through the graphical user interface a third parameter identifying the chemical product; analyzing the one or more parameters to determine operational settings for use by the utility device in performing the service, wherein the analyzing act comprises evaluating the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter to determine a conductivity setpoint for the chemical solution, wherein the conductivity setpoint is one of the set of operational settings and wherein the conductivity setpoint defines a target percent concentration of the chemical product within the chemical solution; receiving through the graphical user interface an indication to activate the utility device to perform the service at the service environment; and in response to the indication, controlling operation of the utility device based on the operational settings determined by the analyzing act, wherein the controlling act comprises: detecting a current conductivity of the chemical solution in the solution tank; and dispensing a predetermined amount of the chemical product to the solution tank in response to the current conductivity falling below the conductivity setpoint, wherein the predetermined amount of the chemical product is an operational setting determined by analyzing the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter against a data structure mapping the operational settings to a plurality of parameter groupings, wherein the first parameter, the second parameter and the third parameter form one of the plurality of parameter groupings.