Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium has embedded therein instructions executable by a processor. The instructions simulate an operation of a print service provider (PSP) using a model of a printing system with a set of operation parameters for performing the PSP operation. The instructions determine a monitoring strategy based on the simulated PSP operation. The monitoring strategy is for monitoring the PSP operation when performed in the printing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for pricing resources. One embodiment of the present invention includes a historical usage database adapted to store historical customer usage and pricing data, and a pricing algorithm module adapted to perform a simulation using the historical customer usage and pricing data to establish resource usage prices and swing option prices that will maintain a profit margin near or equal to a profit margin setting.

Abstract: A process can establish respective ratings for items in a list by determining respective measurements of performance of the items during each of a series of time windows. For each of the items and each time window, the process can adjust the rating of an item using multiple adjustments that are respectively associated with competing items in the list. Each of the adjustments may depend on the rating of the item, the rating of the competing item, and whether the measurement of performance of the item is higher than the measurement of the performance of the competing item.

Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium has embedded therein instructions executable by a processor. The instructions simulate an operation of a print service provider (PSP) using a model of a printing system with a set of operation parameters for performing the PSP operation. The instructions determine a monitoring strategy based on the simulated PSP operation. The monitoring strategy is for monitoring the PSP operation when performed in the printing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method facilitating selection of a portfolio of computational resources for a project. The system and method may comprise determining computational resource capacity characteristics from historical usage data relating to use of a heterogeneous inventory of computational resources, the computational resource capacity characteristics comprising a trace history representative of the availability of various components of the heterogeneous inventory of computational resources at various points in time. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may comprise calculating a plurality of finishing times for a project by performing a plurality of simulation runs based on the computational resource capacity characteristics, wherein each of the plurality of simulation runs begins at a different time in the trace history.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for determining a size of a utility date center. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a bus, a computer-readable memory coupled to the bus, and a processor coupled to the memory via the bus. The processor executes code for calculating, based on historical usage data, resource usage for a plurality of different applications of a plurality of servers in the utility data center (UDC); calculating, for each server, penalties imposed against the UDC and penalties imposed against at least one user of resources of the servers; and calculating a number of servers required to make the UDC profitable.

Abstract: A market-based approach provides temperature control for a number of areas of a heat-generating device. Bids for a cooling resource are generated, each bid associated with a particular area of the device. A market price is determined at which the cooling resource is available to the device areas. Amounts of the cooling resource are allocated to the device areas based on the market price and the bids. Allocated amounts of the cooling resource are directed to the device areas.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method uses a market-based approach to control the temperature of regions within an unpartitioned space, such as a computer data center. Market agents may be associated with regions of the data center that may contain one or more heat-generating processor racks. Prices for the thermal resources may be established. The market agents may generate bids for thermal resources to be delivered to the respective regions. The bids may be based in part on differences between the measured temperatures and the target temperatures of the regions. Sets of the market agents are assigned to control of sets of thermal resources. Delivery of the thermal resources to the regions is controlled by the market agents.