Abstract: A method and computer program are disclosed to assist the user in constructing a decision-tree for outsourcing software development business processes. The tree contains a node for the cost of completing the business processes in-house, nodes containing the expected costs of outsourcing the complete business process to different vendors, and nodes containing the expected costs of outsourcing part of the business process to different vendors. The user calculates the expected cost of outsourcing a business process by multiplying the estimated costs for outsourcing the business process by probabilities that risks will occur in the outsourcing process.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a supplier performance measurement that uses historical data combined from disparate data sources to evaluate suppliers and rank the suppliers according to key performance indicators or attributes. The supplier rankings are used in a qualitative model to allocate customer demand to the suppliers based upon the supplier rankings and other factors.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using permission data objects to control user access to business data objects. A permission data object identifies a group affiliation associated with a user and a business object type (or family of business data objects) to which the permission object controls access. A permission object includes a permission attribute and a permission value. A user who has the group affiliation that is identified in the permission object is permitted to access a particular business data object of the business object type when the value of the permission attribute in the permission data object is consistent with the value of a corresponding attribute in the particular business data object to which the user seeks access.

Abstract: A method and computer program are disclosed to assist the user in constructing a decision-tree for outsourcing software development business processes. The tree contains a node for the cost of completing the business processes in-house, nodes containing the expected costs of outsourcing the complete business process to different vendors, and nodes containing the expected costs of outsourcing part of the business process to different vendors. The user calculates the expected cost of outsourcing a business process by multiplying the estimated costs for outsourcing the business process by probabilities that risks will occur in the outsourcing process.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a supplier performance measurement that uses historical data combined from disparate data sources to evaluate suppliers and rank the suppliers according to key performance indicators or attributes. The supplier rankings are used in a qualitative model to allocate customer demand to the suppliers based upon the supplier rankings and other factors.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using permission data objects to control user access to business data objects. A permission data object identifies a group affiliation associated with a user and a business object type (or family of business data objects) to which the permission object controls access. A permission object includes a permission attribute and a permission value. A user who has the group affiliation that is identified in the permission object is permitted to access a particular business data object of the business object type when the value of the permission attribute in the permission data object is consistent with the value of a corresponding attribute in the particular business data object to which the user seeks access.