System and method for launching a resource in a network

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for a client connected to a server in a computer network to access a resource, such as an application, database (either local, server, or web-based), service and/or a file, stored in the network. The system comprises: the client in the network; the server in the network; an instance of the resource stored in at least one of the server and the client; a file associated with the application stored in at least one of the server and the client; and an access module operating to provide the client with access to the server. In the system at the client, a first icon associated with a said resource is provided and if the instance of the resource is stored at the server, the application is automatically accessed when the icon at the client is activated.

1 . An access system for a client connected to a server in a computer network to a resource stored in said network, said system comprising: 
 said client in said network;    said server in said network;    an instance of said resource stored in at least one of said server and said client; and    an access module operating to provide said client with access to said server, wherein at said client, a first icon associated with said resource is provided; and    if said instance of said resource is stored at said server, said resource is automatically accessed when said first icon at said client is activated.    
   
   
       2 . The access system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, when said resource is not stored on said client, said icon has attributes associated a location of said resource.  
   
   
       3 . The access system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said client is provided with an option of searching for said instance of said resource on either said client first or said server first.  
   
   
       4 . The access system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein user profile data relating to a user at said client is provided in said network, said user profile data defining rights and access privileges of said resource assigned to said client.  
   
   
       5 . The access system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a configuration management interface is provided defining logical data interfaces relating to said resource assigned to said client utilizing said user profile data.  
   
   
       6 . The access system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a virtual drive map of files relating to said resource is built on said client, said drive map utilizes information from said user profile data and provides access to said resource from said server to said client and from said client to said server.  
   
   
       7 . The access system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a mapping of icon files and application files resident relating to said resource on said server is provided to said client; and 
 said mapping is utilized to present icons on said client indicating where said resource resides.    
   
   
       8 . The access system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein when said resource resides on said client, an icon indicating that said resource resides on said client is presented to said client.  
   
   
       9 . The access system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein when said resource resides on said server, an icon indicating that said resource resides on said server is presented to said client.  
   
   
       10 . The access system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said mapping is used to overlay icons that do not indicate correctly where said resource resides.  
   
   
       11 . The access system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein when said resource resides on said server, at said client, said resource is reconfigured to present said resource to said user as a server-based resource through said client.  
   
   
       12 . A method for presenting information to a client in a network where resources are stored in at least said client or a server in said network, said method comprising: 
 asking a user at said client to select whether a resource accessible by said client are to be searched first from a location comprising said client and a server in said network; and    if a response from said asking indicates that said resource is to be associated first with said server, providing an icon associated with said resource to indicate that said resource is associated with said server.    
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein user profile data relating to a user at said client is provided in said network, said user profile data defining rights and access privileges to said resource assigned to said client.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a configuration management interface is provided defining logical data interfaces to said resource assigned to said client utilizing user profile data.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein a virtual drive map of files relating to said resource is built on said client, said drive map utilizing information from said user profile data and providing access of said resource from said server to said client and from said client to said server.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein when said resource resides on said client, an icon indicating that said resource resides on said client is presented to said client.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein when said resource resides on said server, an icon indicating that said resource resides on said server is presented to said client.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein when mapping is used to overlay icons that do not indicate correctly where said resource resides.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein when said resource resides on said server, at said client said resource is reconfigured to present said resource to said user as a server-based resource through said client.