Abstract: A method of and system for classifying retail products and services is disclosed. The method includes determining a grouping of characteristic values in a computerized system, wherein the grouping of characteristic values includes a subset of a plurality of predetermined values for a characteristic. The method also includes associating the grouping of characteristic values with a grouping of at least one of retail products and services. The system includes means for determining a grouping of characteristic values, wherein the grouping of characteristic values includes a subset of a plurality of predetermined values for a characteristic. The system also includes means for associating the grouping of characteristic values with a grouping of at least one of retail products and services.

Abstract: One or more voice-enabled user interfaces include a user interface, and a voice extension module associated with the user interface. The voice extension module is configured to voice-enable the user interface and includes a speech recognition engine, a preprocessor, and an input handler. The preprocessor registers with the speech recognition engine one or more voice commands for signaling for execution of one or more semantic operations that may be performed using a first user interface. The input handler receives a first voice command and communicates with the preprocessor to execute a semantic operation that is indicated by the first voice command. The first voice command is one of the voice commands registered with the speech recognition engine by the preprocessor.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a semantic search on structured data. An unstructured search query is received from a requestor. The query is evaluated within a computer to identify a best structured request based on the unstructured search query. The selected structured request is applied to a set of structured data. The result of the application of the structured request is then returned to the requestor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a technique to create and provide an analytic marketplace. A single file definition is created for a plurality of applications and sub-components of a complete analytic application. A request for an analytic application is received from a user at an analytic marketplace in a user session. The analytic marketplace searches for an application that matches the request using the single file and generates a search result. The request is responded according to the search result and then an appropriate analytic application is presented to the user.

Abstract: The determination of whether an event, such as a taxable event for a commercial transaction, has occurred uses an executable decision tree. The decision tree includes a number of test nodes that each include a comparison field and at least one allowed value. A data value associated with the comparison field is accessed and compared to the allowed values. If the comparison field equals an allowed value, execution proceeds to a child node, and if not, execution proceeds to a sibling node. The child and sibling nodes are either another test node, a result node, or an error node. Execution of the decision tree proceeds until a result node or an error node is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating dynamic test scripts enables the design and use of testing scripts that are independent of an application and the user interface layout of the application. The method and apparatus store a set of test data, checks and an action list independent from a test script. The test script matches the properties of the test data, checks and action list items with the properties of user interface elements in an application at run-time. The run-time matching allows for the script to be utilized for different applications as well as altered or updated versions of those applications with minimal or no changes to the testing script. This method and system are particularly relevant for the testing of applications using the user interface rather than backend utilities (APIs, services etc.).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product are provided for generating an allocation table in a computerized procurement system. The method comprises receiving first data from a purchase order regarding a plurality of articles to be allocated, and receiving second data from an assortment regarding the plurality of articles and a plurality of stores identified for receiving the articles at specified times. The method further comprises determining a fixed quantity of each article to be allocated to each store based on at least one of the first and second data, wherein the fixed quantity of each article is the same for all stores. The method also comprises determining a variable quantity of each article to be allocated to each store, wherein the variable quantity of each article is individually set for each store, and wherein the variable quantity of each article is determined based on analysis of historical data.

Abstract: A system, method and program product are provided for performing assortment planning. The comprises receiving data representing a plurality of articles, an assortment, and a display area. The method further comprises assigning a first subset of the plurality of articles to the assortment for a first validity period to define a first assortment version. The method also comprises linking the display area to the assortment, wherein a first display area version is automatically created corresponding to the first assortment version.

Abstract: A system, method and program product are provided for organizing a store into a department store having shops associated therewith. The method includes receiving a designation of at least one store as being a department store. The department stores of the enterprise defining a department store organizational level. A designation of at least one shop having a type and being a member of the department store is received. A shop organizational level is defined by each shop in the enterprise. The shop operates as a component of the associated department store.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing business content for reporting tools. In one general aspect, the invention provides for receiving a user selection of a business object having associated attributes and displaying a view of the attributes. A user selection of one or more of the attributes is received, indicating the selected one or more attributes are to be displayed in a report generated in the external reporting application. The selected one or more attributes are added to a business content structure. Data associated with the business content structure is retrieved and an output file is generated. The reporting application can use the output file to generate the report that includes the business content structure and the data associated therewith. The business content structure can be stored in a database and later retrieved to generate an output file, allowing a report with current data to be generated by the reporting application.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, including computer program products, and systems implement and use techniques relating to electronic signatures. In one implementation, a one-way hash is calculated for an electronic document and a digital watermark representing the one-way hash is embedded in a signature document. Based on a user input, the signature document having the embedded digital watermark is altered, and the electronic document is associated with the signature document. The electronic document and the signature document together comprise a signed electronic document. The user input can include biometric information, such as a handwritten signature or a voice recording. For additional security, the one-way hash can be encrypted before a representation of the hash is embedded in the signature document.

Abstract: A method for constraining learning strategies for a training course includes determining learning strategies available for the training course in a learning system. A subset of the learning strategies available in the learning system may be selected as learning strategies valid for the training course.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for platform independent replication. Methods can include capturing a virtualized software application residing on a virtual machine, capturing a guest operating system residing on the virtual machine, and storing the captured virtualized software application including the guest operating system as a virtualization image in a flat file on a physical computing device.

Abstract: A method for deleting data sets contained in a data list from a table system comprises the following steps, said steps being carried out for all data sets of said data list: reading one data set; checking whether said read data set has a specified property; if said data set has said specified property: deleting said data set in said first table; and substituting the contents of said data set in said second table by a blank data set. Furthermore, there is provided a computer program product and a device.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to implement compliance rules in a dynamic sourcing system. One or more compliance rules may be associated with an opportunity created using the dynamic sourcing system. A response to the opportunity may be evaluated based on the compliance rule. An action may be taken based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A method and a set of computer instructions for filling a customer sales order for a product are described. The method determines the availability of the product. The method determines the components of a product if the product is unavailable. The method determines the availability of the components from one or more suppliers.

Abstract: Mechanisms for allowing allow multi-session capability and session-return enabling stateful web applications include providing a start URL of a requested portal page with an “External Session ID” (ESID). The ESID is an argument that is different between the two instances of the application (on the same page), and leads to different/independent sessions in the server. When a user returns to the same page, the ESIDs are passed again with the individual application requests, and the server can then logically reconnect to the proper session and allow the user to continue. The ESID can be used to return to an application after the user has previously left to go to another application and then desires to come back, or even when the user closed the browser and restarts the application later.

Abstract: A process modeling tool provides a process designer with the ability to design a plurality of business process models that include tasks for achieving a desired result(s). The process modeling tool allows the process designer to merge the process models into a merged process model by replacing event flow coordinators within the process models with control flow coordinators that dictate a flow of the merged process model. Accordingly, the process designer is allowed to use the merged process model for monitoring of a current status of the tasks, and for re-distributing the tasks in a desired manner for execution by selected entities, while the original process models are maintained and may be executed in their original execution environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing a cluster of servers organized into nodes. A method of one aspect includes establishing a cluster; establishing a set of ultimate identifiers for nodes resulting from splitting in the cluster; and storing every new data object on a node that has a node identifier that identifies a subset of the set of ultimate identifiers, and providing for the object a universal identifier that combines (i) an object identifier that is unique on the node and (ii) a server identifier that is one of the ultimate identifiers in the subset. A method of another aspect includes generating for a new data object a universal identifier that has a node identifier part that uniquely identifies a node, a reserve part generated at least in part as a pseudo-random value, and an object identifier part that uniquely identifies the object in the node.

Abstract: A computer based system is provided that is capable of displaying component and process structures for configurable product classes stored in a data structure. Product classes in the data structure are represented by product nodes. Components, which are abstractions of concrete items used in the product, are represented by component nodes. Component nodes are mapped to each product class with which the component is associated, and are associated with one or more component variants, which are concrete items used in the manufacture of a particular product variant. Process nodes, which are abstractions of actual steps required to produce a product variant, known as process variants, are represented by process nodes. The computer based system can display several alternative views of the data structure. For example, upon receiving a selection for a particular product class, the computer based system converts and can graphically display all component and process nodes associated with that product class.