Abstract: A hierarchical storage management (HSM) system and method. A system is provided comprising: a data usage monitor for extracting data object information from data objects in a hierarchical storage complex that is managed by a content management system; a data relationship repository for storing data object information, wherein the data object information includes relationship data for data objects in the hierarchical storage complex; and a system that analyzes the relationship data and makes data management action recommendations for the hierarchical storage complex.

Abstract: A plurality of applications are integrated in a system by merging three-dimensional (3-D) display data contributions from the respective applications into a single display scene using a visual integration hub. The respective contributions of display data may be separately manipulated to establish registration or relative positioning and then locked together such that the composite image may be graphically manipulated as a single object. Two-dimensional (2-D) data such as text or spreadsheets are imbedded in the image and manipulated in the same manner as 3-D objects. The hub allows transfer of graphic data between applications and conversion of the graphic data to the format of each respective application.

Abstract: A method of eliciting customer preferences includes establishing a computer-enabled facility accessible to the target audience of participants, determining features to collect bets on, determining which participants may register, determining a betting period, determining betting rules, determining how to decide winners and prizes, registering the participants participation using the website, instructing the participants about procedures of abetting game and list of possible product features, betting, by the participants, on the product features the participants think will be preferred by the general public, determining whether an end of the betting period has been reached, determining, at the end of the betting period, average bets for each of the product features, predicting average customer preferences based on the average bets, determining a score of each participant who made bets, determining which of the participants has a best score, and using resulting preference information for production planning.

Abstract: A plurality of applications are integrated in a system by merging three-dimensional (3-D) display data contributions from the respective applications into a single display scene using a visual integration hub constituted by, for example, a simply programmed processor with suitable input storage to store display states of each application for each active user and suitable display buffers. The respective contributions of display data may be separately manipulated to establish registration or relative positioning and then locked together such that the composite image may be graphically manipulated as a single object. Two-dimensional (2-D) data such as text or spreadsheets are imbedded in the image and manipulated in the same manner as 3-D objects. The hub also allows transfer of graphic data between applications as well as conversion of the graphic data to the format of each respective application.

Abstract: A method of eliciting customer preferences includes establishing a computer-enabled facility accessible to the target audience of participants, determining features to collect bets on, determining which participants may register, determining a betting period, determining betting rules, determining how to decide winners and prizes, registering the participants participation using the website, instructing the participants about procedures of abetting game and list of possible product features, betting, by the participants, on the product features the participants think will be preferred by the general public, determining whether an end of the betting period has been reached, determining, at the end of the betting period, average bets for each of the product features, predicting average customer preferences based on the average bets, determining a score of each participant who made bets, determining which of the participants has a best score, and using resulting preference information for production planning.

Abstract: A hierarchical storage management (HSM) system and method. A system is provided comprising: a data usage monitor for extracting data object information from data objects in a hierarchical storage complex that is managed by a content management system; a data relationship repository for storing data object information, wherein the data object information includes relationship data for data objects in the hierarchical storage complex; and a system that analyzes the relationship data and makes data management action recommendations for the hierarchical storage complex.

Abstract: An integrated framework is disclosed for analyzing a firm in terms of its resources, capabilities and strategic positions, providing a Strategic Capability Network composed of nodes signifying these resources, capabilities and strategic positions, together with relationships between these nodes. The framework provides for assessment of the costs of supporting resources and the value of strategic positions, and the propagation of costs to supported capabilities and strategic positions, and the propagation of value to supporting capabilities and resources. Provision is made for various types of synergetic relationships, with corresponding logical and or connections.