Technician wireline and wireless intranet access via systems interface to legacy systems

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for a user to access an intranet from within a systems interface to back-end legacy systems. A user logs a computer into a systems interface which permits access to back-end legacy systems. The computer accesses the systems interface over a wireline or a wireless communications network. Preferably, the systems interface is located on at least a first network address. Preferably, the systems interface includes a first server with middleware for managing the protocol interface, the first server being located at the first network address. Preferably, the systems interface includes a second server for receiving requests and generating legacy transactions. When the user is logged on, a client application for the systems interface is running on the computer. Next, the user launches a shared network software application, preferably a browser. The user may or may not minimize the client application, but the user remains logged-on. As the browser launches and seeks out an intranet site at a separate network address, the systems interface receives a message from the computer or otherwise detects that the computer is seeking access to the intranet. In response to detecting that the computer seeks access to the internet, the systems interface determines whether intranet access is to be granted. If access is granted, the systems interface routes communications from the computer to the separate network address. Preferably, the first server routes communications from the computer from the first network address to the separate network address.