Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for efficiently outsourcing projects, such as software development projects, are presented. A business entity may precisely and succinctly define one or more requests for proposals (RFPs) using predefined service identifiers which specify discrete, short-term projects (e.g., 4 weeks or less) with fixed inputs and outputs and objective evaluation metrics which allow for each project to be evaluated using, for example, automated evaluation software tools. By posting RFPs on a web site, the business entity solicits bids from third party vendors to perform the project identified in the RFP. Since individual projects are identified with objective inputs, outputs, and evaluation metrics, vendors can bid on the project with minimal evaluation and speculation regarding the appropriate bidding price for the project.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for use in managing waste services. The tool may have an interface configured to receive input from a user indicative of an on-demand service request. The tool may also have a communication device, and a controller in electronic communication with the interface and the communication device. The controller may be configured to transmit a waste management command to a remote service provider via the communication device based on the input.

Abstract: A research, analysis, regulatory compliance and media platform that connects customers to finished research and analysis produced by subject matter experts is described. The platform facilitates research, investigations, and analysis by creating a single environment in which a group of distributed analysts conduct research and investigations, store and retrieve documents and other sources, collaborate, and publish findings. Consumers are able to query a published knowledge graph, surface high value relationships, and access insights captured by analyst through a customer web portal or external production environment. The platform allows analysts and customers to research and map the commercial, financial, and facilitation networks of sanctioned or other actors that may be associated with illicit activity. Customers can access visual graphs depicting relationships between sanctioned and non-sanctioned actors in order to evaluate their possible exposure to financial crime or sanctions-related risks.

Abstract: A central server containing a database receives snowfall data from weather stations that are contained at a multitude of different sites within a defined geographical area. The central server stores the snowfall data in the database, correlating the data with various user accounts. For instance, the data is correlated with the account of the owner of the site from which the data was received, and with the accounts of landscape contractors whom the owner of the site has engaged to clear snow from his site. The central server provides alerts to various user accounts based on the snowfall data. For instance, the server provides alerts to site owners based on the snowfall at their sites, and to landscape contractors based on the snowfall at sites they are engaged to clear snow from.

Abstract: A method for creating a workflow using system administrator actions to resolve a system issue is provided. The method may include assigning a ticket to a category. The method may include capturing a first snapshot of a first system state of a machine before a system administrator begins a corrective action. The method may include capturing a second snapshot of a second system state of the machine after system administrator corrective action. The method may include creating a difference set based on a comparison of the first snapshot and the second snapshot. The method may include generating summaries of administrator action. The method may include dividing the summaries into groups of summaries. The method may include constructing a candidate workflow for each group. The method may include presenting the candidate workflow to a subject matter expert. The method may include storing the reviewed candidate workflow in a repository.

Abstract: A campaign management system manages campaign data for one or more campaigns and geospatial data for areas in which the campaigns are directed. The system performs spatial queries, data queries, and/or geocode-based queries, generates maps geographically identifying where campaign events are occurring in the geographic area, and generates feature data for display. Campaign symbology, such as shading, color coding, patterns, icons, or other symbols identify one or more campaign events in the geographic area.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method for updating business information. A business at a business location and a reference image for the business at the business location may be selected for an update. From a number of more recent images, a comparison image may be selected based on a likelihood that the comparison image captures the business location. Text and visual features reference image may be compared with text and visual features of the comparison image to determine a text similarity score and a features similarity score. A confidence level indicating whether the business in the reference image is in the comparison image may then be determined using the text similarity score and the feature similarity score. According to the confidence level, the business information of the business may be updated.

Abstract: A system or method is provided to generate and send a notification to a card issuing bank to report a compromised card. In particular, the notification may be embedded in a pseudo card transaction message based on the ISO 8583 protocol message format. Card issuing banks may be a participant in a compromised card account reporting program to receive the notifications via the ISO 8583 transaction messages from a merchant or a payment service provider. In particular, data elements within the ISO 8583 protocol that are not reserved for carrying information for a transaction may be designated to carry information for reporting the compromised card account. Thus, merchants or payment service providers may send notifications of compromised card accounts to card issuing banks in a secured manner using ISO 8583 transaction messages.

Abstract: Techniques for processing task items are provided. A task item is electronic data that represents a task to be performed, whether manually or automatically. A task item includes one or more details about its corresponding task, such as a description of the task and a location of the task. Specifically, techniques for generating task items, organizing task items, triggering notifications of task items, and consuming task items are described. In one approach, a task item is generated based on input from a user and context of the input. In another approach, different attributes of task items are used to organize the task items intelligently into multiple lists. In another approach, one or more criteria, such as location, are used to determine when to notify a user of a task. In another approach, actions other than generating notifications are enabled or automatically performed, actions such as emailing, calling, and searching.

Abstract: A hardware computer-implemented method is provided for pricing a current contract for bid that includes generating a tree of the current contract, and generating trees of historical contracts. The contracts each specify respective services. The method includes grouping the trees of historical contracts to form a plurality of groups of trees, based on respective tree distances between the trees in each group. The method includes identifying a group of trees, from the plurality of groups, that is closest to the tree of the current contract by calculating respective distances there between. The method includes calculating a price for the current contract based on gross profits and costs for each service in the identified group. The grouping, identifying, and calculating steps each use different methods, responsive to a service (a) having a baseline; and (b) lacking the baseline, wherein the baseline is a value that indicates a scale of the service.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with monitoring business transactions are described. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises tracking calls made from a first component to other components in a distributed application wherein the calls are part of processing a business transaction. Aggregate metrics are collected and instance metrics are collected for each of the calls made and a time spent for processing the calls. The method identifies and selects N calls that consumed the most time based on the time spent for processing each call. The instance metrics for the selected N calls and the aggregate metrics are reported to a monitoring server, while the instance metrics from unselected calls are discarded.

Abstract: A method of demand response (DR) assessment may include reading energy economics data from a third party for an interval of a DR event period. The energy economics data may include a day-ahead demand, a day-ahead locational marginal pricing (LMP), and a real-time LMP. The method may also include estimating a real-time energy demand for the interval. Based on the energy economics data and the estimated real-time energy demand, the method may also include determining a demand imbalance for the interval. The method may also include calculating a cost of a DR event that exploits the demand imbalance. The method may also include selecting an energy curtailment request amount for the interval that optimizes profitability of the DR event.

Abstract: A research, analysis, regulatory compliance and media platform that connects customers to finished research and analysis produced by subject matter experts is described. The platform facilitates research, investigations, and analysis by creating a single environment in which a group of distributed analysts conduct research and investigations, store and retrieve documents and other sources, collaborate, and publish findings. Consumers are able to query a published knowledge graph, surface high value relationships, and access insights captured by analyst through a customer web portal or external production environment. The platform allows analysts and customers to research and map the commercial, financial, and facilitation networks of sanctioned or other actors that may be associated with illicit activity. Customers can access visual graphs depicting relationships between sanctioned and non-sanctioned actors in order to evaluate their possible exposure to financial crime or sanctions-related risks.

Abstract: An analysis device including a substitution unit for substituting each event in an impulse-like event series with rectangular windows; a dividing unit for dividing the event series timewise at least at one transition point in the rectangular windows; a state vector generation unit for generating a state vector corresponding to the state of the rectangular windows in response to each of the divided time periods; and an analysis unit for performing Poisson regression using the state vectors corresponding to the time periods. A method comprising computer-executable steps is provided that substitutes each event in the inputted event series with rectangular windows; divides the event series timewise at least at one transition point in the rectangular pulses; generates a state vector corresponding to the state of the rectangular pulses in response to each of the divided time periods; and performs a Poisson regression using the state vectors corresponding to the time periods.

Abstract: Accuracy of data collected from comprehensive travel surveys is a key to studying and analyzing human travel behavior. Better understanding of travel behavior enhances the ability of transportation professionals to utilize resources available in designing appropriate solutions to existing problems. In the past, this data has been obtained through paper or phone-based surveys of individuals and households. These surveys are subject to problems, including inaccurate data due to user error, apathy, and intentional or unintentional omissions, and must often be limited to one or two days due to the amount of effort required from the participant. The present invention describes a system and method that improves both quality and quantity of data gathered on individual travel behavior across multiple modes of transportation, including non-motorized travel, and submits the data from any location.

Abstract: A user profile is creates, and personalization is provided, by compiling interaction data. The interaction data is compiled to generate a value index or score from a user model. Parameterized data is used to build tools which help decide an engagement strategy and modes of engagement with a user. Several facets relating to the user, such as user behavior, user interests, products bought, intent, chat language, and so on, are compiled to create a user profile based personalization technique. In another embodiment, a unique ID is provided that can be mapped across multiple channels for use by the user to contact various organizations across multiple channels, and thus upgrade the user's experience.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for the sale of consumer services. Predictions are made based on the behaviors, preferences, assets, identifying characteristics, and other attributes associated with customers and merchants. In one implementation, a prediction is made as to whether a customer is likely to request a service and whether a merchant is likely to be selected by the customer to provide the service. In another implementation, the calendars of a merchant and customer are automatically updated to account for the customer's late arrival to an appointment at the merchants location. In yet another implementation, a customer purchases an appointment for a service from another customer that has the appointment scheduled with a merchant providing the service.

Abstract: A technique assigns tasks to workers within a work area. The technique utilizes electronic circuitry which can be disposed at a single location (e.g., a server), or distributed among multiple locations (e.g., in the cloud). The technique involves receiving task entries which (i) identify tasks in need of attention and (ii) define task requirements for performing the tasks. The technique further involves generating task assignments based on matching the task entries to worker profiles which (i) identify workers who are available for task assignment and (ii) define worker characteristics of the workers. The technique further involves providing the task assignments to the workers while the workers are distributed among different locations within the work area. The task assignments direct the workers to perform the tasks identified by the task entries in accordance with the task requirements defined by the task entries.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a description associated with a business process workflow via a graphical user interface, the description comprising a process flow diagram; and causing a processor to generate at least one of a software application or a natural language description of the business process workflow based upon the description.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing a long-term strategy for allocating a supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) while adhering to limitations of available shipping capacity An LNG market is modeled using one or more optimization models. The LNG market includes at least one buyer of LNG, at least one seller of LNG, and at least one means of transporting LNG. A plurality of inputs relevant to the LNG market are accepted. The inputs are configured to be input into the optimization models. One or more solution algorithms are interfaced with the optimization models. The optimization models are run using the interfaced solution algorithms to identify potential options in the LNG market. Uncertainty is accounted for in the identified potential options. The identified potential options are outputted.