Abstract: Improved approaches for providing on-line appointments over a network are disclosed. The network is, for example, a global computer network such as the Internet. According to one aspect, users are able to schedule appointments over the network by on-line means. The users are typically individuals or service providers. Service providers are often those businesses that offer appointments to schedule their services.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of establishing, by means of images, a standard working speed of working steps including a plurality of different motion elements, and a method whose object is that working same as said working steps is carried out by different workers to obtain an image of the working step of evaluation object, and it is expressed with numerical value as an evaluation value to what extent the image of the working step of said evaluation object is speedy (or slow) relative to the image of said established standard working speed.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media having computer-usable instructions for evaluating and displaying trade information for a user. Customer addresses are received, and then a buffer area is created around each of the customer address. The buffer area for each address is combined to generate at least one aggregated area. The aggregated area is then disaggregated to define a polygon which is useful for generating a density map, indicating an ideal retail location for a new store, and determining which retail store to relocate or close.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of providing feedback to a sales representative for a sales opportunity to a customer, comprising: determining, in dependence on information received from the sales representative, a probability that the sales opportunity will result in a sale by the sales representative; determining, in dependence on information received from the sales representative, a location on a sales cycle time line for the sales opportunity; assigning a priority to the sales opportunity in dependence on the location on the sales cycle time line and the probability that the sales opportunity will result in a sale; and rendering on a display a visual representation of the probability and the priority.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of making assignments, particularly of sales leads. The assignments are considered either committed or uncommitted responsive to an effective date associated with one or more assignment rule used to make the assignments. Uncommitted assignments may be used to review the effects of changes in assignment rules. Examples are provided including the use of uncommitted assignments to review the effects of changes in a hierarchical territory structure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of compiling a customer information set that complies with regulatory criteria is provided. The method comprises providing an overall question set having a plurality of questions and determining from the overall question set a basic question set, the basic question set including at least one basic question. The method further comprises associating an expected answer with at least one question of the basic question set and providing criteria for modifying the basic question set based on receiving an answer that differs from the expected answer. The method still further comprises optimizing an interactive customer survey with a customer using the overall question set, the basic question set, the expected answer and the criteria for modifying the basic question set.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and disseminating survey information wherein a verification procedure is performed to determine actual ownership of the product by the respondent being surveyed on that product.

Abstract: A scheduler combines characteristics of a forward and backward schedulers to determine a schedule for activities that require the use of resources. The system handles conflicting requirements for resources by considering target dates and the relative priority of the activities. As a result, higher priority activities are more likely to be scheduled to complete on or before their target date than are lower priority activities.

Abstract: The present invention is a constraint-based planning tool that specifically addresses the needs of complex discrete and process industries by providing a computationally efficient method and system for fulfillment of customer orders in a supply chain. By comprehensively synchronizing and optimizing the flow of materials through the enterprise, the present invention creates a feasible plan for manufacturing operations that simultaneously optimizes both material and capacity constraints by planning and scheduling multiple customer orders, planning for use the various resources located in remote locations needed to fulfill such orders, and scheduling the used resources for replenishment at appropriate times so that the resources meet the needs of the orders.

Abstract: A method for project development within an enterprise. The method can consist of gathering project related information from different sources and using the information to create reports. The reports can include information from more than one source. The information and the reports can be displayed for assessment in a graphical user interface providing access to a set of sub-graphical user interfaces. The displayed information and reports can be analyzed to monitor the progress of the project through the project development process. An end of a phase of the project development process can be determined and, upon the completion of a previous phase, an individual with responsibility for a next phase can be notified by automatically sending a message to the individual, informing the individual that the next phase can begin.

Abstract: The present invention is a constraint-based planning tool that specifically addresses the needs of complex discrete and process industries by providing a computationally efficient method and system for fulfillment of customer orders in a supply chain. By comprehensively synchronizing and optimizing the flow of materials through the enterprise, the present invention creates a feasible plan for manufacturing operations that simultaneously optimizes both material and capacity constraints by planning and scheduling multiple customer orders, planning for use the various resources located in remote locations needed to fulfill such orders, and scheduling the used resources for replenishment at appropriate times so that the resources meet the needs of the orders.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for sourcing agreement and performance analysis comprising the steps of identifying scenarios for material requirements, identifying scenarios for supply environments, identifying terms of existing and/or prospective sourcing agreements, identifying a set of sourcing agreement utilization policies, identifying inventory-related and shortage costs scenarios, and computing future sourcing performance based on the identified scenarios, existing or prospective sourcing agreements, and sourcing agreement utilization policies. Various cost/risk and other future performance measures (e.g., scenarios, metrics, etc.) are output from the stated computing step and business decisions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a computer-implemented decision support system and method, that determines the availability of work items and areas of responsibility, determines the feasibility of completing the work item tasks based on the determined availability of work items and the determined areas of responsibility, determines precedence of the work item tasks to be performed based on the determined feasibility, the determined availability of work items, and the determined areas of responsibility, and outputs one or more worklists that list work item tasks to be performed based on the determined precedence and the determined feasibility of the work item tasks.

Abstract: Collecting and analyzing usage data from a CRM database provides useful insights into improving future versions of CRM software. Options for the type of data to be collected may be presented and several opportunities may be available to tailor the data to be communicated to the CRM provider.

Abstract: The invention involves clusters or hubs each comprising multiple works for which human beings might express taste-based preferences. The items are grouped in clusters in such a way that the works most in accordance with the tastes of any particular individual person will tend to be in a small number of these clusters out of the overall collection. In this way, clusters can be used to help the person find items that he is not previously familiar with but that he will probably like. The clustering of works is optimized by human effort, software, or both. By way of example, a methodology for doing this using the principle of information transfer as described in the theory of Shannon entropy is explained. When human effort is used to perform the optimization, facilities are provided for using such principles to determine whether a human-suggested change actually improves the clustering. Facilities are provided whereby the optimization work may be distributed across multiple machines.

Abstract: The present invention is a constraint-based planning tool that specifically addresses the needs of complex discrete and process industries by providing a computationally efficient method and system for fulfillment of customer orders in a supply chain. By comprehensively synchronizing and optimizing the flow of materials through the enterprise, the present invention creates a feasible plan for manufacturing operations that simultaneously optimizes both material and capacity constraints by planning and scheduling multiple customer orders, planning for use the various resources located in remote locations needed to fulfill such orders, and scheduling the used resources for replenishment at appropriate times so that the resources meet the needs of the orders.

Abstract: System and methods for integrated compliance monitoring. Various application modules work together to accomplish risk assessment and compliance monitoring. A risk assessment module facilitates the development of risk ratings based on responses to a plurality of compliance-related questions. The system can also include an action tracking module, and can further include a training module and a self-assessment module to determine individual compliance gaps. A common database is operatively connected to the modules to monitor the completion of assessments and to track actions based on remediation plans. In some embodiments, the invention is implemented via a computing platform or a collection of computing platforms interconnected by a network, such as a corporate intranet, in which case a web browser can facilitate use of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process for creating an effective work schedule for a security checkpoint. The process includes the step of analyzing passenger flow to determine the coverage needed to sustain required service levels, generally through simulating the checkpoint to determine required staffing levels. Another step to optimize workforce levels and schedules is to create workforce schedules that are based on optimized person-hours and key variables. The schedule staffs as needed to achieve the required staffing levels and may consider numerous other factors, including acceptable ranges for shift lengths; a maximum number of start times; and a percentage of part-time or seasonal employees. In a particular embodiment, the schedule is formed by using linear programming to solve for a tour assignment matrix (defining a schedule) from a demand matrix representing the needed number of workers and a coefficient matrix representing the availability of workers.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer-implemented architectures are provided for performing supply chain planning. In one implementation, a system is provided that comprises a database configured to store master data descriptive of supply chain items, a model generator coupled to the database and configured to derive a master data-based core model representative of a supply chain planning problem, and a solver configured to translate the core model into a mathematical model and determine a solution to the mathematical model. In addition, the system may comprise a preprocessor configured to preprocess the core model by subjecting the core model to a set of rules to derive a preprocessed core model, wherein the solver establishes the mathematical model from the preprocessed core model.

Abstract: An integrated communication system and method for conducting surveys, and more particularly an at least partially automated and efficient system and method for collecting, processing, and displaying customer satisfaction survey information that enables a product or service provider to evaluate the quality of goods and/or services received based on ratings and reports obtained by performing surveys of customers, employees, and/or staff. The system utilizes survey scripts implementing drill-down questioning techniques to gain insights into the survey participants' reasons for their opinions. The system processes the raw survey data into useful survey information, such as graphs and charts, for presenting to consumers (i.e., customers) of the survey who may be remotely located. In this way the system and method can be utilized in a quality improvement program.