Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes creating a key field on a machine-readable medium. The key field has an ontology logic that includes a context for a business class and an equivalency between the key field and a business class. The method also includes creating the business class on the machine-readable medium. The business class has an ontology logic that includes the equivalency between the key field and the business class.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for financial planning and control are disclosed that are capable of real-time response to changing market conditions. The disclosed method provides financial management and control tools that allow an organization to rapidly (on weekly or monthly frequencies, for example) realign financial resources throughout the organization in response to changing market and business conditions. The method links critical external information directly to company decision-making activities to allow a business to better align resources to capitalize upon opportunities or minimize the impact of adverse business conditions. The disclosed embodiment of the invention comprises several modules, including the TopLine Planner™ module, BizPlan™ module, and SpendCap Manager™ module. The TopLine Planner™ module receives inputs from and provides information to sales, marketing and manufacturing, and is coupled to the BizPlan™ module.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving input that includes a criteria for filtering a set of records to define a subset of records within the set of records. The criteria is defined by an end design user. The method includes updating a business class group with the criteria, wherein the business class group is associated with an action for access the subset of records through the business class group. The method includes outputting a business application to be executed by at least one end user to access the subset of records through the business class group.

Abstract: A method providing automatic allocation of a spending limit value among a plurality of recipient departments is disclosed. A spending plan, comprising a plurality of spending limit values, is created. Each spending limit value is associated with a department from among a plurality of departments. A first selected department is identified as a source for allocation of a first spending value. One or more recipient departments are identified as recipients of an allocation of the first spending value. The first spending value is then automatically allocated among the recipients under a specified allocation model, resulting in creating a plurality of allocated spending limit values that are associated with one of the recipient departments. As a result, delay in preparing spending plans is reduced because allocations are rapidly, automatically computed and distributed to department plans.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for processing of code that includes key fields having surrogate and extends relationships are described. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a pattern language code having definitions of a number of classes, wherein a definition of a first class of the number of classes comprises a reference to a field. The method also includes compiling the pattern language code to generate an object code, wherein the compiling comprises validating that the field is defined with a context of the first class. The context includes a second class of the number of classes that has a surrogate relationship with the first class.

Abstract: Various embodiments as described and illustrated herein provide data oriented navigation within software applications. Some such embodiments include navigations within objects that make the navigations available to other objects. Objects in such embodiments include a representation of a software application data model to determine an object that is responsible for maintaining data. Thus, when an object receives a navigation request based on an item of data, the object receiving the request determines which object is responsible for maintaining the item of data and routes the navigation request to the appropriate object. That object then provides a list of available navigations that are displayed for selection within a user interface.

Abstract: Techniques providing automatic control of a distributed electronic financial plan are disclosed. A set of financial statements is created and populated with planned data values that are stored in a database. In certain embodiments, statements in the set are logically linked to facilitate automatic updating as changes occur. The P&L, balance sheet and statement of cash flow are all automatically configured with certain calculated lines and standard lines that maintain proper accounting relationships among the electronic financial plan documents. Spending lines of the P&L are linked meaningfully to constrain spending plans of the corresponding underlying departments so that the P&L becomes conservative in terms of spending. One or more organizational hierarchies may be created and stored, based on departmental organization or revenue flows, and sets of P&Ls, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows are associated with nodes in these hierarchies.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide one or more of systems, methods, software, and data structures that include action request definitions that may be linked to a workflow process. Upon submission of an action request from an action request definition, an action request record may be created as a function of an action request definition and passed through a linked workflow process. The action request record may be modified, approved, or rejected. If approved, a process defined within the action request definition may cause a data change as a function of action request data. Action request records may be persisted, in some embodiments, to provide an action request audit trail.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving input that includes a criteria for filtering a set of records to define a subset of records within the set of records. The criteria is defined by an end design user. The method includes updating a business class group with the criteria, wherein the business class group is associated with an action for access the subset of records through the business class group. The method includes outputting a business application to be executed by at least one end user to access the subset of records through the business class group.

Abstract: An approach for managing forecast data involving the use of a hierarchical data model to manage forecast data. Each user has forecast data and access is determined based upon the relationships between user and the hierarchical data model. Each relationship is defined by user attributes including a node assignment and primary and secondary forecasting depths for primary and secondary data hierarchies. Access to forecast data is provided by first identifying the user's assigned node in the user's primary data hierarchy and traversing to the relative primary forecasting depth with respect to the user's assigned node. Then the user's secondary data hierarchy is traversed to the absolute secondary forecasting depth. Generally, users are only permitted to change data only at their lowest level, although some users may be given privileges to override forecast data at other levels. A consensus mechanism is also provided for resolving conflict or inconsistencies in forecast data.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) query. A query object is provided that supports a plurality of OLAP servers which use different structured query formats. An OLAP server is determined from among the OLAP servers for which the query will be executed based on a property of the query object. The query object is processed to generate a query statement using the structured query format that corresponds to the determined OLAP server.

Abstract: A system and a computer-implemented method of generating a report tailored to a user within an organization having a hierarchy. Information regarding the organization hierarchy is provided. The information includes information locating the user within the organization hierarchy. Data is extracted from one or more data sources and a report is generated. Generating a report includes filtering the report as a function of the user's location in the organization hierarchy. In one approach, a hierarchy of employees within an organization is determined by extracting organization information from a plurality of data sources and linking employees as a function of the organization information to form a hierarchy of employees.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) query. A query object is provided that supports a plurality of OLAP servers which use different structured query formats. An OLAP server is determined from among the OLAP servers for which the query will be executed based on a property of the query object. The query object is processed to generate a query statement using the structured query format that corresponds to the determined OLAP server.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) query. A query object is provided that supports a plurality of OLAP servers which use different structured query formats. An OLAP server is determined from among the OLAP servers for which the query will be executed based on a property of the query object. The query object is processed to generate a query statement using the structured query format that corresponds to the determined OLAP server.