Abstract: A method is provided for providing access to data relating to a plurality of processes associated with a supply chain network. The method may include identifying a user from a plurality of users. The method may also include identifying data from a plurality of data, wherein the identified data includes a subset of the plurality of data. The method may further include providing the user with access to the identified data. Providing the user with access to the identified data may include defining a user profile by establishing at least one permission associated with the identified data. The established permission may allow the user to access the identified data, and the user profile may be based on one of employee characteristics, work assignments, or geographical locations.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing workplace engagement for a plurality of employees performing a plurality of tasks. The method may include receiving productivity data for each of the plurality of employees relative to each of the plurality of tasks and receiving forecasted demands for each of the plurality of tasks. The method may also include assigning one or more of the plurality of employees to one or more of the plurality of tasks. The employee task assignments may be based upon productivity data, availability data, and the forecasted demands. The method may further include determining that the forecasted demand for one of the plurality of tasks for the period of time falls below a predetermined threshold, and assigning an inexperienced employee to that one of the plurality of tasks.

Abstract: Use of a shrouding gas to combine with and protect a turbulent gas jet issuing from an orifice enables control of a gas jet stream composition downstream from the orifice. The natural aspiration rate of the gas jet is used to determine the flowrate of shrouding gas which is introduced around the gas jet in a soft gas cushion which does not disrupt the flow pattern of the gas jet but instead is entrained into the jet stream to the exclusion of ambient gases in the atmosphere. Preferably shrouding gas is replaced at least at the rate at which it is entrained. Apparatus for this process uses a porous shroud, preferably of metal foam, through which shrouding gas flows evenly around the gas jet as it issues from a nozzle orifice. Provision for tangential entry of shrouding gas into a manifold which feeds the porous shroud prevents the shrouding gas from impinging upon the porous shroud and causing uneven flow around the gas jet.

Abstract: Use of a shrouding gas to combine with and protect a turbulent gas jet issuing from an orifice enables control of a gas jet stream composition downstream from the orifice. The natural aspiration rate of the gas jet is used to determine the flowrate of shrouding gas which is introduced around the gas jet in a soft gas cushion which does not disrupt the flow pattern of the gas jet but instead is entrained into the jet stream to the exclusion of ambient gases in the atmosphere. Preferably shrouding gas is replaced at least at the rate at which it is entrained. Apparatus for this process uses a porous shroud, preferably of metal foam, through which shrouding gas flows evenly around the gas jet as it issues from a nozzle orifice. Provision for tangential entry of shrouding gas into a manifold which feeds the porous shroud prevents the shrouding gas from impinging upon the porous shroud and causing uneven flow around the gas jet.