Abstract: A plurality of equivalent representations of a process are identified. The process has a plurality of tasks. Each of the representations specifies a different order of the tasks. The plurality of equivalent representations are consolidated into a single representation. The single representation captures, in at least one flexible order grouping, at least two of the tasks that may be performed in more than one order. At least one constraint is specified for the at least one flexible order grouping. Techniques for merging two or more flexible representations are also provided.

Abstract: Managing application performance on a network. A network graph is generated from a set of application endpoints on the network. The network graph is annotated by associating one or more of the application endpoints with at least one of a corresponding latency annotation or a corresponding available bandwidth annotation. An end to end plan is formulated from the annotated network graph, wherein the plan maps one or more application requirements onto the plurality of paths in accordance with one or more end to end control adjustments including at least one of a server selection adjustment, an internet service provider (ISP) selector, or an overlay routing adjustment.

Abstract: A method, and system employing the method, initiates proactive maintenance of computer systems and/or devices in a computer network. The method determines the subsystems of the computers and network devices and analyzes their configuration data including their respective subsystems. The method generates maintenance characteristics for the devices, and determines a maintenance event for devices using the maintenance characteristics and the configuration data of the devices. The method initiates a maintenance solution of a device determined to have a problematic configuration.

Abstract: A proactive problem resolution system, method of proactive problem resolution and program product therefor. User sensors extract data from user interaction with a computer terminal and pass extracted data to a sniffer agent. The sniffer agent checks for an indication of a user problem by comparing user behavior data against behavior data from previously encountered problems. When the sniffer finds a match, the computer terminal user may be asked if assistance is needed or the user may be automatically referred to the help desk. If a solution already exists for a problem that corresponds to the user behavior, that solution(s) is(are) presented at the computer terminal. Computer terminal users automatically receive problem support, even before it would otherwise be requested.

Abstract: A system and method for scalable status change detection in a network of nodes includes embedding node coordinate positions into a virtual map environment. A cluster of nodes are represented with a representative node to form a hierarchy of nodes and clusters where changes in a status of the representative node imply a status change in the nodes of the cluster. By selectively monitoring the representative nodes for the changes in status, the representative nodes create a capability for scalable monitoring of the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e2e SLA support in a network of both manageable and unmanageable portions and provide a method, system and computer program product for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments can be provided. The method can include identifying both a managed segment and an unmanaged segment of an e2e network for a communications path implicated by an SLA, determining an observed delay for the unmanaged segment of the e2e network, computing from a desired delay for the communications path and the observed delay a differential delay, and constraining the managed segment to meet the differential delay in order to assure meeting the desired delay for the communications path implicated by the SLA.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for authenticating a user. A method includes receiving a voice signature certificate corresponding to a setup portion of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call. The VoIP call further has a voice conversation portion. The voice signature certificate includes a voice signature segment. The method further includes reproducing the voice signature segment to enable verification of voice continuity from the setup portion to the voice conversation portion. The verification is performing by comparing the voice signature segment to a user's voice during the voice conversation portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e2e SLA support in a network of both manageable and unmanageable portions and provide a method, system and computer program product for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments can be provided. The method can include identifying both a managed segment and an unmanaged segment of an e2e network for a communications path implicated by an SLA, determining an observed delay for the unmanaged segment of the e2e network, computing from a desired delay for the communications path and the observed delay a differential delay, and constraining the managed segment to meet the differential delay in order to assure meeting the desired delay for the communications path implicated by the SLA.

Abstract: A method of generating an annotated network topology of a network is described. The method includes; deriving a network topology by performing a route tracing utility between each pair of endpoints to determine the route taken by packets; initially annotating each network path with an initial value; determining the available bandwidth of a path connecting a pair of endpoints by performing Transfer Control Protocol (TCP) flows between the pair of endpoints; identifying a bottleneck link in the network path, and annotating all edges to generate an annotated network topology wherein available bandwidth annotation of links inside the network is determined using end-to-end network measurements.

Abstract: The use of multi-homing to multiple network providers to improve performance of network applications is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a general purpose computer performs primary route control functions, without requiring a special route control device. Route selection is made in accordance with desired metrics which may include relevant to performance, availability, or cost.

Abstract: An exemplary method for identifying process elements includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of relevant request-response pairs including request identifiers, mapping the request identifiers to corresponding artifacts, identifying actions based on the artifacts, and mapping the actions to process elements such that each given one of the process elements has an associated artifact.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for creating portfolios of requests so as to reduce or minimize the variance in the workloads generated by those requests. The invention also takes into account the throughput of the servers that are servicing the requests. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of establishing a set of system parameters; using said parameters to generate a model, said model including a defined optimization problem; and solving said optimization problem to output a set of mixing weights. The set of parameters and said mixing weights are used to generate a task; and the service requests are distributed to different service teams according to the generated task. Also, for example, the distributing may be done by distributing requests of type i to team j with weight proportional to wij.

Abstract: A method, and system employing the method, initiates proactive maintenance of computer systems and/or devices in a computer network. The method determines the subsystems of the computers and network devices and analyzes their configuration data including their respective subsystems. The method generates maintenance characteristics for the devices, and determines a maintenance event for devices using the maintenance characteristics and the configuration data of the devices. The method initiates a maintenance solution of a device determined to have a problematic configuration.

Abstract: Problem ticket usage is improved by adding dynamic information to the ticket or using dynamic information to prompt the user or customer for additional information. Two categories of dynamic information are used. In the case where an initial problem ticket involves identification of a problem component the dynamic information is derived from abnormal status of related components, such as components which support the problem component. In the case where an initial problem ticket involves problem symptom information, data is derived from resolved problem tickets by identifying important words or concepts which are stored in connection with the particular symptom. When later problem tickets having the same symptom are identified the related important words or concepts are either added to the problem ticket or are used to prompt customers or users for additional information. A system implementing an embodiment of the invention is also described.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a target process are provided. The techniques include identifying at least one of one or more steps and one or more artifacts within a target process and one or more other processes, pre-fetching the at least one of one or more atomic steps, one or more decision steps and splits and one or more merges to be used in the target process from the one or more other processes, and associating the at least one of one or more atomic steps, one or more decision steps and splits and one or more merges to be used in the target process at one or more decision points to generate the target process.

Abstract: A plurality of requests for service are obtained, each of the requests specifying a description of work, at least one constraint, and at least one objective function. Each request is routed to a corresponding first target resource, according to a routing table, in a manner to satisfy the at least one constraint and the at least one objective function. Tracking is carried out to determine whether the first target resource accepts a given request, rejects the given request, or passes on the given request to a second resource. The routing table is updated based on the tracking.

Abstract: A plurality of equivalent representations of a process are identified. The process has a plurality of tasks. Each of the representations specifies a different order of the tasks. The plurality of equivalent representations are consolidated into a single representation. The single representation captures, in at least one flexible order grouping, at least two of the tasks that may be performed in more than one order. At least one constraint is specified for the at least one flexible order grouping. Techniques for merging two or more flexible representations are also provided.

Abstract: A plurality of base templates are generated. Each of the base templates models a corresponding process. A plurality of instances of each of the base templates are instantiated. Each of the plurality of instances corresponds to an application of the corresponding process to a particular environment. Each of the instances of each of the base templates is annotated, based, in each case, upon observation of functioning of the instance in the particular environment.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the learning ability and productivity of knowledge workers related to the delivery of services in service industry sectors, such as information technology (IT), healthcare and accounting. The method and system applies broadly to service domains that have a strong correlation between the learning ability and skill level of workers wherein the correlation affects the quality of service delivery. Utilizing data mining techniques, the method and system captures, analyzes and benchmarks individual knowledge worker's skill(s) in order to normalize individual service agent proficiencies. The normalized service agent proficiencies allows the relative learning and skill indices of the individual service agents to be determined such that the skills and learning abilities of individual service agents to be determined. The method and system allows best practices and training thresholds to be determined.

Abstract: A method and system for generating new abstractions for existing process models and modifying existing process models in order to generate new process models by mining run-time service delivery processes. The method and system also “learns” new abstractions for business process models by modifying existing models. The method and system generates new business process models utilizing an online learning mechanism that mines run-time service delivery processes.