Automated WWAN Provisioning for Information Handling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for provisioning wireless wide area network (WWAN) services for information handling systems are cumbersome, requiring users to undergo credit checks, account provisioning, and activation processes that can lead to delays and errors, increasing technical support requests and manufacturer costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that automates WWAN service provisioning by querying the WWAN card for unique identifiers during the manufacturing process, forwarding this information to the network provider for account setup, ensuring the information handling system is delivered with WWAN capability enabled and ready for activation, thereby reducing delays and complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually provision WWAN services through credit checks, account setup, and activation processes, then network access can be established, but the process experiences delays and increases technical support requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing WWAN provisioning during the manufacturing process before the product is delivered to the customer. The system queries the WWAN card for unique identifiers during build, forwards this information to the network provider to provision the account, and prepares the system for activation in advance. This eliminates the need for customers to undergo time-consuming credit checks and account setup processes after purchase.
2Reliability
If manual provisioning processes are used with credit checks and account activation, then network service can be provided, but activation delays and errors increase technical support requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the WWAN card and network account to be automatically configured during manufacturing without requiring customer intervention. The system automatically queries the WWAN card, retrieves unique identifiers, forwards information to the network provider, and provisions the account in the background. This eliminates manual customer actions and reduces errors associated with user interface interactions.
3Reliability
If WWAN provisioning is handled manually after product delivery, then network access can be established, but manufacturer costs increase due to technical support requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturer operational costs by performing WWAN provisioning as part of the manufacturing process rather than as a post-delivery support function. The system automatically queries WWAN cards during build, manages communication with network providers, and provisions accounts before products are shipped. This transfers the provisioning workload from the technical support department to the manufacturing process, reducing ongoing support costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Information handling systems are built to order with provisioned wireless wide area network (WWAN) service coordinated through a WWAN network provider as part of the manufacture of the information handling system. A WWAN component is built into the information handling system and then queried to retrieve a WWAN identifier, such as ESM or SIM information. The identifier is associated with end user information of the information handling system and formatted as a request for WWAN provisioning sent to a network service provider. The network service provider applies the WWAN identifier and end user information to contact the end user for setting up a WWAN account or, alternatively, to automatically set up a WWAN account for the end user.