Abstract: Systems and methods implementing utility-maximized scheduling of time-sensitive tasks in a resource constrained-environment are described herein. Some embodiments include a method for utility-optimized scheduling of computer system tasks performed by a processor of a first computer system that includes determining a time window including a candidate schedule of a new task to be executed on a second computer system, identifying other tasks scheduled to be executed on the second computer system within said time window, and identifying candidate schedules that each specifies the execution times for at least one of the tasks (which include the new task and the other tasks). The method further includes calculating an overall utility for each candidate schedule based upon a task utility calculated for each of the tasks when scheduled according to each corresponding candidate schedule and queuing the new task for execution according to a preferred schedule with the highest overall utility.

Abstract: A plurality of takeoff objectives are set based on a takeoff request with respect to a target step in production lines, at least throughput of each production line, and basic information of a production plan for each production line, production plan data satisfying the plurality of takeoff objectives is obtained, takeoff objective delay data indicating that the production plan data is delayed with respect to the plurality of takeoff objectives is obtained, and at least a degree of delay of the product is displayed based on the production plan data and the takeoff objective delay data in accordance with each of the plurality of takeoff objectives in a preset display conformation.

Abstract: Provides workflow systems and methods. A workflow system having a matchmaking unit for receiving a task query from a workflow, and a plurality of task definer units, each providing a definition of a task. The matchmaking unit communicates with the task definer units to evaluate the task definitions against the task query based on at least one property associated with each task definition and provides at least one of the task definitions to the workflow as offers based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Network workforce data for a first group of agents that work during a first time interval is received at a networked computer. The network workforce data for the first group of agents is fitted to a predetermined parameterized function using a least square fit that minimizes the square error. In a second time interval, a derivative of the predetermined parameterized function is taken to determine a number of agents to work during a third time interval. The determined number of agents from the workforce are assigned to a second group of agents to work during the third time interval.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments of the invention, functional data analysts may use a functional data authoring module to capture functional metadata in a consistent manner. Conflict reports for the business processes may be generated for a subset of the business processes or as an overall report across all business processes. One or more embodiments of the invention may provide early detection of data usage and type conflicts from functional data requirements, automated detection of conflicts from functional data requirements, reports listing detected conflicts, conflicts resolution tracking mechanism, ongoing notification regarding changes in functional data requirements or detected conflicts, and avoidance of conflicting functional requirement in the realization phase, thereby reducing costs and project risks and avoiding project delays.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide improved computer systems for the evaluation of the performance of employees. Embodiments may use an engagement algorithm to calculate a single engagement score for each employee. Embodiments may use a second algorithm for skills to calculate a single skills score for each employee. A third algorithm may plot the employee's engagement score against the employee's skills score on a two-dimensional graph and indicate what scores are needed for a good evaluation and what scores are needed for a great evaluation. Various embodiments of the invention prescribe specific aspects of a job to coach to improve the employee's performance. Embodiments of the system archive and maintain all evaluations and scores for employees and provide access to them to subsequent supervisors.

Abstract: A method and system to control an interaction of a plurality of participants in a workflow process. The method classifies the plurality of activities as (1) first activity of the workflow process, (2) first activity of a participant in an on-going workflow process, and (3) interaction activity. A set of access control policies is generated for each type of activity. The policies include workflow initialization policy, participation policy and interaction policies. The policies determine if a requesting participant is permitted to interact with a responding participant. In addition, the system includes a policy enforcement point for receiving a request from a requesting participant, wherein the request is for activating an activity of a responding participant. The policy enforcement point forwards the request to a policy decision point where the request is evaluated based on the set of access control policies.

Abstract: In a system and method for conjoint analysis, corresponding utility values are determined for a plurality of individual concept elements and for combinations of multiple concept elements, e.g., pair wise combinations of concept elements. A regression technique, e.g., least squares linear regression, may be used to determine the utility values.

Abstract: A system for maximizing the value of allocation of processes to resources within an operational system includes a capability engine responsive to data representing measures of effectiveness and associated measures of performance, one or more operational objectives, and failure modes of the operational system and configured to generate workload requirements and an operational event timeline. A coarse-grained allocation engine is responsive to the workload requirements and the operational event timeline and is configured to generate a coarse-grained resource lineup and an operational value. A fine-grained optimization engine is responsive to the coarse-grained resource lineup and the operational value and is configured to generate a fine-grained resource lineup, a maximized operational value, and a total resource utilization.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a renege reducing hiring method. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a renege factor evaluation method. Other embodiments of the present invention provide an organizational renege reduction method. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a candidate renege prediction method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. An still other embodiments of the present invention provide a psychometric analysis tool for predicting the renege rate.

Abstract: A method and system for the assessment of the office document production environment(s) in a facility, and more particularly to a client-based method and system that can be used to collect, analyze, model, optimize, and report on document output costs and efficiencies in an office environment.

Abstract: Defining service ownership for an SOA includes defining, in response to an event requiring a change in service ownership and in dependence upon data describing business functions within a business, a service domain. Embodiments also include reviewing the defined service domain for approval and upon approval of the defined service domain, identifying potential impact upon currently existing service domains caused by implementation of the defined service domain. Embodiments also include identifying a potential owner of the defined service domain in dependence upon a service type of the defined service domain and funding requirements of the service domain and presenting, to relevant stakeholders in the business, the potential owner of the defined service domain for approval. Upon approval of the potential owner of the defined service domain, embodiments include assigning the potential owner of the defined service domain responsibility for managing the defined service domain.

Abstract: Process Brokering Services (PBS) are implemented though the concept of Adaptive Documents to facilitate electronic commerce (e-commerce). PBS provides a single point of process control over the various fragmented execution flows and brings together the elements for process integration (views, content, flows) in a unified, scalable architecture on an industry standard platform. The two principal functions of the PBS are brokering of multiple business processes encapsulated in various back-end systems including workflow engines and business applications, and aggregating content from multiple enterprise information systems in the business context and managing the shared access to this based on the roles of the participants. The dynamic services provided by PBS are accessible to clients through the PBS Interface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for implementing an identity management system for an organization includes developing a process flow diagram, the process flow diagram including one or more icons representing at least one process step for each of the events included in an event group and one or more icons representing at least one process step for each of the functional entities in an entity group, and implementing at least one of the process steps represented in the process flow diagram. The event group includes a status change for a system user, a request for an audit report, and an implementation of a new software application. The entity group includes a human resources department, an information technologies department, and a facilities department.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing a supply chain distribution network. A network design tool may be configured to facilitates strategic decision making for a producer/distributor of a commodity products (e.g., molecular gas mixtures stored in cylinders) by incorporating transportation costs (i.e., operational decisions) into the strategic decision making process. Further, the network design tool may also integrate investment decision costs, which are usually considered ‘tactical decisions’, into the strategic decision process (e.g., which filling tools are assigned to which plant/hub location). The network design tool implements different algorithm approaches allowing a user to obtain optimal, near-optimal, and approximate solutions.

Abstract: Described are methods and mechanisms for managing data within a calendaring framework. The method includes receiving task data, which is distributed into one or more tasks associated with a category, and receiving time slot data, which defines one or more time slots within the calendaring framework and associates each category with at least one time slot. The method additionally includes determining a location for each task within the one or more time slots that are associated with the same category based on a task prioritization value, and determining a location for each action item within the one or more time slots that are associated with the same category based on the task location determination, an action item prioritization value, and an estimated completion time. The method further includes populating the time slots within the calendaring framework with the action items based on the action item location determination.

Abstract: A system can create and manage a framework for integrating a plurality of business processes. The system can include a first tier module adapted for managing at least one internal function and at least one service of the plurality of business processes, wherein the business processes include respective predefined goals and objectives. The system can further include a second tier module adapted for managing business initiative solutions and establishing a capability to deploy and manage infrastructure based on the at least one function and at least one service of the plurality of business processes. Furthermore, the system can include a third tier module adapted for establishing an architecture according to the predefined goals and objectives of the plurality of business processes and an integration module adapted for linking the first tier module, the second tier module, the third tier module, or combinations thereof for creating and managing the framework.

Abstract: A method and system to automatically monitor business collaborations. Collaboration participants can formally express obligations about their expected behavior during the collaboration in business terms, then automatically monitor processes carrying out the collaboration using the formulated obligations. The method and system extends existing service oriented monitoring standards and architecture, specifically, with additional business oriented metrics and plug-in components that allow the monitoring system to calculate business parameters from measurements of multiple services.

Abstract: A method for maximizing revenue generated from a plurality of service level agreements (SLAs) that includes receiving a first subset of the plurality of SLAs for executing a first plurality of jobs, wherein each SLA in the first subset specifies a first maximum requested delay that is greater than an initial minimum offered delay, and wherein a price of each SLA in the first subset is defined by the maximum requested delay and a price/delay function, calculating a first expected revenue from executing the first subset, and optimizing a second subset of the plurality of SLAs by replacing the initial minimum offered delay on the initial price/delay function with a new minimum offered delay based on the expected revenue, wherein each SLA in the second subset specifies a second maximum requested delay that is greater than the new minimum offered delay.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for estimating consumer demand at remotely located equipment and establishing dispatch schedules for servicing the remotely located equipment. Data from the remotely located equipment may be classified into a hierarchy or various levels of reliability for use in calculating a consumer demand estimate for each product and/or each service available at the remotely located equipment. A full set of sales data for each product or service over multiple time intervals with no equipment problems, no out of stock conditions and no other operating problems may be classified as the highest level of reliability and predictability possible for calculating a consumer demand estimate. The lowest level of data used to calculate a consumer demand estimate may be a historical average of daily sales for all products or services sold over a long period of time at the remotely located equipment.