Abstract: Systems and methods to identify to iteratively accomplish a complex task by mapping the complex task into a series of smaller tasks and then to reduce the task by executing one or more of the smaller tasks. Such a system ensures that a user does not have to be familiar with the operational environment of the platform (governance rules, architecture, and the like) when scripting tasks. Instead, the user can concentrate on the logic or purpose of the task, and various embodiments of the system will “intelligently” process/execute the task in the most efficient way, without violating the governance constraints imposed on users or accounts as part of the multi-tenant environment. Among other benefits, this approach permits users to more efficiently describe desired tasks and hence to more effectively utilize the platform.

Abstract: A system, apparatuses, and methods for enabling management of customizations/extensions to the functionality of a multi-tenant computing platform. In some embodiments, an extended or customized entity, such as a function, operation, process, module, sub-routine, data item, etc. is represented as a record. That record is then associated with an underlying record by means of a tenant specific mapping or equivalent structure. This enables the tenant to utilize the extended or customized entity in place of the underlying record in situations in which the underlying record would typically be used. This also provides a way of isolating the extensions or customizations on the multi-tenant platform so that they are associated with specific tenants and not with other tenants who may still access the underlying or un-extended versions of the entity.

Abstract: A method for enabling a distributed computing system to tolerate system faults during the execution of a client process. The method includes instantiating an execution environment relating to the client process; executing instructions within the execution environment, the instructions causing the execution environment to issue further instructions to the distributing computing system, the further instructions relating to actions to be performed with respect to data stored on the distributed computing system. An object interface proxy receives the further instructions and monitors the received to determine if the execution environment is in a desired save-state condition; and, if so, save a current state of the execution environment in a data store.

Abstract: A system and associated methods for responding to a request for a web page containing dynamic content by generating and delivering a static version of the requested page and content. Specifically, embodiments are directed to a system and methods for receiving a request for dynamic web content at a server, instantiating a virtual browser within an execution environment running on the server, loading the requested dynamic web content into the virtual browser, executing the executable content of the requested dynamic web content (thereby creating a corresponding static version of the requested dynamic web content), and delivering the static version in response to the request.

Abstract: A system and method for addressing the impact of tenant/user customizations on various operations in a multi-tenant computing platform. In one embodiment, the system uses an operating system process (e.g., a parent process) to handle incoming operation requests to the platform from one or more tenants. If an incoming request specifies that a user customization should be executed, then the parent process coordinates execution of a separate operating system process (e.g., a child process) to execute the customization operation and return the result of the child process execution. In this manner, a single parent process may create several child processes to execute different customizations that each may be monitored and managed separately for resource use and consumption.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods are described in the context of a web-based business information system having an internal e-mail facility, wherein e-mail communications between a native e-mail system of an end user of the web-based business information system and an external contact are facilitated and automatically tracked by the web-based business information system, the native e-mail system lying outside the web-based business information system but often being preferred by the end user over the internal e-mail facility of the web-based business information system. The described preferred embodiments provide for easy-to-use, reasonably transparent, “no-click” integration of the web-based business information system with the end user's native e-mail system in a manner that is independent of the particular type and choice of native e-mail system.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing data security for data that is stored in a cloud-level platform. In one embodiment, each session is associated with specific session “keys” for use in encrypting and decrypting data. The session specific keys are generated by a client application and the client public key of a public/private key pair is provided to the cloud platform as part of a user authentication process. If the user is properly authenticated, then the platform creates its own set of keys and sends the server public key of a public/private key pair to the client. When the client requests a data record or document, the platform can determine if the user is authorized to have access to the entire data record or document or only to certain fields or portions of the record or document. Based on that determination, the platform may selectively encrypt certain fields or portions of the record or document with the client public key.

Abstract: A system and methods for creating derivative websites based on base website and derivative site content. A content management system contains files representing multiple websites, i.e., a base website and one or more derivative versions of the base website. Each derivative version of the website consists of one of more files stored in a hierarchal chain of derivative folders that represent changes from the base website. A developer may thereby track which changes have been implemented and changes made by other developers higher in the chain of derivative workspaces than the current developer will be propagated to the current developer's derivative version of the production website.

Abstract: A method for enabling a distributed computing system to tolerate system faults during the execution of a client process. The method includes instantiating an execution environment relating to the client process; executing instructions within the execution environment, the instructions causing the execution environment to issue further instructions to the distributing computing system, the further instructions relating to actions to be performed with respect to data stored on the distributed computing system. An object interface proxy receives the further instructions and monitors the received to determine if the execution environment is in a desired save-state condition; and, if so, save a current state of the execution environment in a data store.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for improving the handling and interaction of charge events in a business using services of a multi-tenant computing platform, such as accounting, CRM, ERP, and the like. Embodiments are directed to implementing and using a charge record to enable efficient use of charges originating from multiple sources to generate reports and forecasts for multiple other services and/or recipients. In one embodiment, the charge record defines a single-source of data which enables maintaining critical business information in synchronization through a single repository of data. One aspect is to define a single abstraction, the charge record, which all sources can create. Thus, instead of multiple relationship between multiple sources and multiple processes, a charge record provides a single data point for a charge such that charges sources and processes that utilize data from the charge sources may interact using a single type of data record.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for creating, editing and using notes within the context of a records database. In an embodiment, a user may create a virtual sticky note that is associated with an underlying record such that the note is displayed with the record but extraneous from any field in the business record. Further, not all notes may be seen by all users as various levels of privacy may be established for different users. Embodiments enable users to efficiently and effectively associate their comments or other inputs with a record or file that is maintained on a cloud-based or multi-tenant platform. The notes may be implemented is a cloud-based solution to track notes/comments against business records maintained on a multi-tenant platform. In one embodiment, a note creator may permit other users to specify rules or criteria that determine who or what portions of an organization may view the created notes.

Abstract: A data structure and its characteristics, and an associated process for searching the structure in a manner that ensures that each node or data location is traversed regardless of which node is the starting point of the traversal process. An embodiment of the invention may be used to locate a node of a data structure so that it may be processed or otherwise manipulated, such as by eliminating a node, moving a node, processing the data associated with a node, etc. In some embodiments, a combination of a “loosely associated” data structure and a specified method of traversing the data structure provide an efficient way to structure and administer a database, and provide a scalable and computationally efficient solution to the problems posed by conventional and more “tightly associated” structures.

Abstract: A system and methods for creating derivative websites based on base website and derivative site content. A content management system contains files representing multiple websites, i.e., a base website and one or more derivative versions of the base website. Each derivative version of the website consists of one of more files stored in a hierarchal chain of derivative folders that represent changes from the base website. A developer may thereby track which changes have been implemented and changes made by other developers higher in the chain of derivative workspaces than the current developer will be propagated to the current developer's derivative version of the production website.

Abstract: A system, apparatuses, and methods for enabling a third party application installed on a multi-tenant platform to utilize an external service, where that service requires a user to provide authentication credentials, without exposing those credentials to the third party application. The invention enables an extension of the platform's services, applications, and functionality via the use of the third party application and the external service, but without the risk that the application might expose the credentials to misuse or otherwise cause a breach of the security measures applicable to the data and/or services of a tenant, a tenant's users, or the platform itself.

Abstract: A data structure and its characteristics, and an associated process for searching the structure in a manner that ensures that each node or data location is traversed regardless of which node is the starting point of the traversal process. An embodiment of the invention may be used to locate a node of a data structure so that it may be processed or otherwise manipulated, such as by eliminating a node, moving a node, processing the data associated with a node, etc. In some embodiments, a combination of a “loosely associated” data structure and a specified method of traversing the data structure provide an efficient way to structure and administer a database, and provide a scalable and computationally efficient solution to the problems posed by conventional and more “tightly associated” structures.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for managing the deployment of extensions to the functionality of a multi-tenant data processing platform. A computing system, such as a multi-tenant distributed computing platform, may have multiple business related applications installed on the platform that are used by one or more users/tenants to perform business related functions. Developers may create and implement “extensions” to such applications, and make those extensions available to tenants/users of the platform. Such extensions may provide an enhancement to the underlying application, such as by introducing new or improved functionality, a new or improved user interface, new or improved reporting capabilities, etc.

Abstract: A multiple currency rate consolidator addresses the needs of multi-national companies that do business in different currencies and tax localities. A consolidated view of financial data may be provided in real time. The multiple currency rate consolidator allows each subsidiary within a subsidiary hierarchy to enter and manage transactional data as well as budget/forecast data in a corresponding localized functional currency. The multiple currency rate consolidator allows different consolidation levels to view localized, consolidated values of subsidiary transactions. The multiple currency rate consolidator also accommodates statutory, ad hoc and management reporting consolidation using different subsidiary configurations for the same time periods, as well as the versioning of the subsidiary hierarchy to accommodate structural changes across different time periods.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for efficiently decoupling and recoupling various groupings of computer-network cabling in computer network environments using one or more multi-port, rapid-connect brackets. A multi-port, rapid-connect bracket may include individual interfaces for patch cables to be seated for coupling to a network device. The rapid-connect bracket may further include one or more actuating arms for maneuvering several connectors at once in order to release each individual connector from a seated engagement with the network device. In this manner, the entire rapid connect bracket is removed from being engaged with the device while the individual patch cables remain seated in the bracket itself. Once removed from the network device, the bracket maintains the position of each patch cable such that the bracket may be recoupled to a new network device.

Abstract: A system and methods for establishing and enforcing an electronic messaging budget. In at least one embodiment, the inventive method involves identifying a set of users of an electronic message system. Next, an electronic message budget for the set of users is calculated or otherwise determined, and a portion of the budget is allocated to each user, group of users, department, or other suitable element, etc. In response to one of the users attempting to send an electronic message, a cost of the message is calculated and compared to that user's (or group's) available messaging budget. If the cost exceeds the budget, then the message may not be delivered or its delivery may be conditioned on some action of the user.

Abstract: A system, apparatuses, and methods for enabling management of customizations/extensions to the functionality of a multi-tenant computing platform. In some embodiments, an extended or customized entity, such as a function, operation, process, module, sub-routine, data item, etc. is represented as a record. That record is then associated with an underlying record by means of a tenant specific mapping or equivalent structure. This enables the tenant to utilize the extended or customized entity in place of the underlying record in situations in which the underlying record would typically be used. This also provides a way of isolating the extensions or customizations on the multi-tenant platform so that they are associated with specific tenants and not with other tenants who may still access the underlying or un-extended versions of the entity.