Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a recovery schedule. The method includes accepting as input a recovery graph. The recovery graph presents one or more strategies for data recovery. In addition, at least one objective is provided and accepted. The recovery graph is formalized as an optimization problem for the provided objective. When formalized as an optimization problem, at least one solution technique is applied to determine at least one recovery schedule.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a recovery schedule. The method includes accepting as input a recovery graph. The recovery graph presents one or more strategies for data recovery. In addition, at least one objective is provided and accepted. The recovery graph is formalized as an optimization problem for the provided objective. When formalized as an optimization problem, at least one solution technique is applied to determine at least one recovery schedule.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for planning workforce resources. One method includes defining workforce supply and uncertain workforce demand for plural different service projects using a set of skills that are preferred to complete the plural different service projects; and calculating costs to hire new employees having the set of skills versus costs to train existing employees to have the set of skills.

Abstract: A computer-based solver provides a method of assigning computing resources in a data center to meet computing resource requirements of an application. The solver initially creates a list of application components wherein each application component represents a largest possible combination of shared resource requirements from the application. Next, the solver identifies a set of eligible resource servers with each resource server capable of fulfilling the resource requirements for each application component in the list of application components. Typically, the resource requirements of either the shared or discrete are met by a resource server with sufficient capacity. If there is at least one feasible solution, the solver then matches an optimal combination of resource servers to each application component in the list of application components using a genetic algorithm (GA).

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a method comprises computing an initial schedule of jobs to be run on a computing system using a mathematical program and monitoring the computing system. The method also comprises, based on the monitoring, determining, using the mathematical program used to compute the initial schedule, whether the initial schedule should be re-computed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for allocating resources to a plurality of applications. In various embodiments instrumentation data may be gathered for work requests processed by the applications. An associated workload level may be determined for work requests processed by the applications. For each application an application resource requirement may be determined as a function of the workload levels and a service level metric associated with the application. For each application an assigned subset of resources may be determined as a function of the application resource requirement, a minimization of communication delays between resources, and a bandwidth capacity requirement of the application. The resources may be automatically reconfigured consistent with the assigned subset of resources for each application.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a network. The system and method may include receiving a virtual topology including a list of application components defining an arbitrary network, resource requirements for the application components and communication requirements between each set of application components and receiving a network topology including a list of physical resources defining an arbitrary capacitated network, specifications for the physical resources, connections between the physical resources and a physical property for each connection. The system and method may also include creating decision variables and constraints to provide an objective function using the virtual topology and the network topology and assigning each application component to at least one physical resource according to the decision variables, the constraints, and the objective function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for allocating resources to applications. One embodiment of the present invention may include identifying a plurality of applications and a plurality of application components, and determining available resources of a networked computing system for potentially storing the applications and application components. Additionally, the embodiment may include determining required resources for each application component, assigning a subset of available resources for each application component based on the required resources of the application component and the available resources. The embodiment may also include associating the application components with the subsets of available resources and storing more than one application component of the plurality of application components on a single available resource.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus is disclosed for allocating resources to applications. Available resources of a networked computing system may be determined. For each application, required resources of the application may be determined. An assigned subset of the available resources for each application is determined as a function of the required resources of the application and the available resources. The function reduces communication delays between resources of the subset of the available resources in conformance with bandwidth capacity requirements of the application and in conformance with network bandwidth limitations. The applications may then be associated with the assigned subsets of resources.

Abstract: A system and method employing an allocation process for determining the number of server machines at each tier of a multiple tiered server system. The allocation process evaluates the number of server machines at each tier sufficient to achieve an average response time of a transaction request to be processed by the server system in response to changes in the average number of transaction requests. The allocation process also identifies shadow pricing enabling analysis of the cost associated with incremental changes in the average response time or other critical system resources.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of designing a storage system begins with a step of assigning decision variables to a range of candidate storage systems. Each of the decision variables identifies a single candidate storage system. The method concludes with a step of employing the decision variables in a mathematical program to determine which of the candidate storage systems meets availability and reliability criteria and incurs a near minimal projected cost.

Abstract: A configuration method includes selecting a design configuration, and modeling the solution configuration having a failure event for the selected solution configuration to determine an amount of down time associated with the failure event. A first penalty cost function is applied the amount of down time to determine a first penalty cost associated with the failure event of the selected solution configuration.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for allocating resources to a plurality of applications. In various embodiments instrumentation data may be gathered for work requests processed by the applications. An associated workload level may be determined for work requests processed by the applications. For each application an application resource requirement may be determined as a function of the workload levels and a service level metric associated with the application. For each application an assigned subset of resources may be determined as a function of the application resource requirement, a minimization of communication delays between resources, and a bandwidth capacity requirement of the application. The resources may be automatically reconfigured consistent with the assigned subset of resources for each application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatic contract monitoring. An electronic version of a contract comprising at least one term and at least one penalty is received. Information relevant to enforcement of contract is monitored. A transaction related to the contract is received. Using the information, it is automatically determined whether the transaction is compliant with the contract.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing feedback from a user of a website. Feedback is received from the user relating to a current session of use of the website. Based on the feedback, a problem is diagnosed. Compensation for the user is determined, based on the problem, and the user is compensated at the level determined to be appropriate for the problem.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the performance of a website. An agent with the website and interacts with the website using a behavior model of an example website customer. The agent interacts with the website according to the behavior model and gathers website performance data related to the interaction. The performance data is compared to a utility function for the behavior model. A rating is assigned to the website based on the comparison, and the rating is made available to potential website customers seeking information related to the website's performance.

Abstract: A method for resource allocation in a data center is disclosed which employs modeling techniques that enable resource allocation in large-scale data centers. A method for resource allocation according to the present techniques includes providing a model for resource allocation which is adapted to a resource topology of a data center and an architecture of an application to be deployed in the data center. A set of resources in the data center are allocated to the application using the model in response to a set of resource requirements of the application and a set of attributes of the resources in the data center such that communication delay among the resources allocated to the application is minimized. Techniques are disclosed for decomposing the model into a set of more tractable programming models which may be solved using available mathematical programming solvers.

Abstract: A virtual marketplace employing automated agents. Buyer agents and seller agents interface via a market-clearing agent to using a common vocabulary by which the clearing agent can negotiate matches between buyers' and sellers' offers represented respectively by the buyer agent and seller agent modeled for a transaction. Mathematical modeling and problem solver technology is employed for each of the agents such that negotiations over a bid-offer transaction can be automatically solved.

Abstract: A method to define an optimal integrated action plan for procurement, manufacturing, and marketing is disclosed. In one method embodiment, the present invention accesses materials planning parameters. The present invention further accesses pricing parameters. The present invention then evaluates the materials planning parameters and the pricing parameters in conjunction to define an optimal integrated action plan for marketing and manufacturing. This plan describes procurement amounts, manufacturing amounts, and pricing for end products.

Abstract: A process for facilitating financial transactions between individuals residing in different locations. Independent sender agents and independent receiver agents handle the transactions, working through an intermediary and one or more financial institutions. An intermediary is established to function as a clearing house, guarantor, auctioneer, and/or tracker of the transaction. Information regarding the transactions are sent through a data network, such as via telephone or the Internet. The funds are sent through one or more financial mediums, such as by bank wires, ATM cards, smart cards, store credits, or similar financial vehicles. Thereby, the process functions to provide fast, safe, and economical monetary remittances.