Abstract: According to some embodiments, an employee identifier may be received from an employee of an enterprise via an employee device. Based on the employee identifier, a subset of customers associated with the employee may be determined, and business data for each customer in the subset of customers may be received from a remote business server. For each customer in the subset of customers, a display of a virtual plant on the employee device may be automatically facilitated, wherein the display of each plant is automatically modified based at least in part on the business data received for that customer. According to some embodiments, an interactive employee input associated with a first virtual plant is received via the employee device and the display of the first virtual plant may be further modified based on the interactive employee input.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system to verify an employment history of an applicant. The method involves obtaining data from a plurality of data sources comprising a business application, aggregating data to obtain aggregated data, where aggregated data includes employment and payroll data from the plurality of data sources, receiving a request for an employment history verification report based on a job application, where the request includes applicant identification information, searching aggregated data for data associated with applicant identification information, and providing the employment history verification report corresponding to applicant identification information, where the employment history verification report is based on the request and aggregated data. The employment history verification report may be based on employment and payroll data associated with applicant identification information.

Abstract: Even with SIP and the varied communications options available to users, the monitoring of presence itself may not provide sufficient information to determine a most appropriate contact modality for a communication. Therefore, there is a need for a more complete method of generating a landscape of recent activity from which a preferred communication modality can be determined, with a corresponding solution provided that allows a contactor to contact a contactee via that modality. For example, a network of bearer channels or feeds can be established as input to a presence determination module. The inputs can include not only presence information, but also feeds from one or more blogs, micro blogs, social networking sites, etc., that allow a more complete picture of recent activity to be determined. Based on this input a preferred contact modality can be determined that may enhance the ability of a contactor to contact a contactee.

Abstract: Techniques for managing information exchange between business entities include presenting an interface through an application of a plurality of applications to a user for an identifiable business context (IBC), the IBC including a unique identifier associated with a first business entity and a plurality of business data attributes associated with the first business entity; receiving, from the application, the IBC for storage in a repository communicably coupled to the application; defining a communication connection between the first business entity and a second business entity; associating the defined communication connection with the IBC; and publishing the IBC unique identifier, the defined communication connection, and at least a portion of the plurality of business data attributes to a registry that is exposed to the plurality of applications.

Abstract: Techniques for managing information exchange between business entities include identifying, through an application of a plurality of applications on a first business entity computing system, an identifiable business context (IBC) referenced on a second business entity computing system, the IBC including a unique identifier associated with the second business entity and a first plurality of business data attributes associated with the second business entity; identifying a communication connection between the first business entity computing system and the second business entity computing system based on the identification of the IBC; and generating an identifiable business context reference (IBCR) for storage on the first business entity computing system, the IBCR associated with the communication connection and including the unique identifier and a second plurality of business data objects, at least one of the second plurality of business data objects distinct from the first plurality of business data objects.

Abstract: A method and system for offering a femtocell to a subscriber. The method includes a computer system making a first determination that a level of wireless performance experienced by a mobile station of a subscriber at a given location is less than a threshold level. The method further includes the computer system making a second determination that the given location is location associated with a billing address of the subscriber. The method then includes, in response to the first and second determinations, the computer system initiating a process of offering a femtocell to the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for managing events. A report of a problem is received from an authorized user. A new event is created logging the problem in response to receiving submission of the new event. The new event is saved in a database in response to receiving submission of the new event from the authorized user. The new event includes at least information about a location of a problem, a department assigned the event, an event code, and a contact method for one or more users associated with the new event. An alert is sent utilizing the contact method to notify the one or more users associated with the new event. Updated information is received regarding the new event. The updated information is saved in the database as associated with the new event.

Abstract: A sales notification system and related methods. Implementations include receiving a sales notification from a telecommunication channel using a mobile computing device associated with an eligible sales representative, generating a notification on a screen of the mobile computing device using information included in the sales notification, and, in response to activating the notification, displaying an interface on the screen, selecting one or more qualification options included in the interface on the screen using the mobile computing device where the one or more qualification options are associated with sales notification, generating one or more responses to the sales notification after selecting the one or more qualification options using the mobile computing device, sending the one or more responses into the telecommunication channel using the mobile computing device, and receiving the one or more responses from the telecommunication channel using a server through the telecommunication channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for developing a facet data network for an employee of an enterprise. The method comprises receiving a plurality of information records from at least one information source. The plurality of information records relates to at least one activity performed by the employee of the enterprise. The method further comprises associating each of the plurality of information records with at least one facet from amongst a plurality of facets defined for one or more employees of the enterprise. The method further comprises generating a plurality of information packets, each information packet corresponding to an information record from amongst the plurality of information records. An information packet from amongst the plurality of information packets links to one or more other information packets from amongst the plurality of information packets for building the facet data network.

Abstract: A system including one or more processors and memory. The memory stores computer-executable instructions that control the one or more processors to receive requests, interpret the requests in the context of a process, and provide responses based on interpretations of the requests in the context of the process.

Abstract: In one preferred form there is provided a site information system. The site information system comprises: a management system including a team facility and a receiver facility. The team facility is associated with a number of teams; and the receiver facility is for receiving information from portable electronic devices associated with team members of the teams.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying and monitoring employees are provided. Employees call-in to the system at scheduled times. If an employee misses a scheduled call-in, an alert can be generated. An employer notification process can generate the alert, notifying a supervisor of the employee's missed call. The alert can include the employee's name, the location of the employee, and the time he/she was supposed to call. Such systems and methods can be used to verify that a worker is at the proper location at the proper time and awake and alert during the entire time period that he/she is supposed to be working.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments describe a system and method for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of tracking and managing a canvassing sales force. The method provides a portal to: assign locations and territories; track the travel of sales people; input the disposition of a location; display the disposition (as well as other user identified data) of a location on a user-retrievable map; and edit the disposition and other location specific data for a location by a plurality of users. Team leaders may then assess the effectiveness of sales efforts and make more effective decisions regarding territory assignments (whether team wide or individual) and whether further canvassing is necessary.

Abstract: A method, of prosecuting acquisition of formal responses to a formal proposition put forth by a requestor, includes: electronically sending the proposition to a group of recipients; automatically tracking responses to the proposition; automatically determining statistics indicative of the tracked responses including a completion ratio; and electronically presenting to the requestor at least some of the statistics including the completion ratio.

Abstract: An online data and in-store data analytical system and method provide a customer or store sales person sales with an output to improve the customer's in-store experience. The system identifies relevant customer information from both the customer's online data and in-store activity. The online data and in-store data analytical system uses the identified customer data to generate a customer profile, which includes several customer attributes, and also generate an output to the customer, a selected store sales person, or both. The generated output can suggest potential products for the customer to consider or potential discounts, enhancing the customer's in-store sales experience. The generated output may also include product feedback information originating from a social connection of the customer, a person similar to the customer, or others.

Abstract: A method for providing payroll information for a worker of an employer. The method includes obtaining, from the worker, an earnings item for a portion of a payroll period, adding the earnings item to a payroll account of the worker, updating a balance of the payroll account using the earnings item to obtain an updated balance, and calculating a compensation amount for the worker prior to processing payroll of the employer. The compensation amount is calculated using the updated balance. The method further includes displaying the updated balance and the compensation amount for the payroll period prior to processing payroll of the employer.

Abstract: In the failure diagnosis system of the present invention, the maintenance case information including data ambiguity and a partially deficient portion is utilized even in the case where maintenance case information having a high similarity is not sufficiently provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method, system, computer program product, or a combination of the foregoing for creating a knowledge management system with an incident communication interface for production support incidents that is standardized and centralized across the channels and sub-channels in an organization. The incident communication interface system is used to track, identify, and resolve the incidents that occur throughout the organization. The incident communication interface allows business associates to initiate an incident ticket associated with an incident. The incident communication interface also communicates information related to an incident to business associates. The incident communication interface provides the business associates knowledge management system access. The incident communication interface receives user input including details related to resolving the incident and the incident details are stored in the incident report database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing commitments information relative to a turf. According to embodiments, a method for providing commitments information relative to a turf is provided. According to the method, a time frame for each of a plurality of turfs is determined. The time frame indicates when a work order of a given category is to be completed. A numeric indicator indicating the time frame in which the work order of the given category is to be completed is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a fitter with multimedia support during assembly work in or on a technical facility is provided. Existing remote-controlled systems for supporting technicians on-site do not offer sufficient support possibilities. By means of the apparatus, which includes a competence center having different transmitters and receivers, and a computer on-site, which has a multimedia system for examination, the support is improved and considerably faster.

Abstract: A system and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel is provided. An initiation terminal transmits a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager through a target terminal. Evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager is awaited. Approval of the channel initiation request is received upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease. A communication channel is opened between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for ad hoc coordination actions in business processes. A computer-implemented method for implementing an ad-hoc coordination action framework, extending on a business process framework, includes enabling ad-hoc coordination actions as generic callable services in a work context, implementing the ad-hoc actions as templates defining state transitions between roles participating at the work context, and enabling the work context to track state transitions as a conversation thread.

Abstract: A system may include an enterprise content settlement server including an extract, transfer and load process configured to receive a first set of usage data and a second set of usage data. The system may further include an enterprise content settlement engine configured to settle the first set of usage data and the second set of usage data according to a contract including at least one settlement rule.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically managing the ordering and dispatching of livery car services without a need for a human dispatcher includes operating a central computer server to manage orders initiated by registered livery car service clients and dispatching registered livery car drivers to execute the client orders through an automatic exchange of Internet-based electronic communications comprising predefined electronic message forms or attachments without a need for a human dispatcher. The method also includes registered clients electronically communicating with the central computer server over the Internet to electronically order livery car services by use of a predefined electronic message order form or attachment and registered drivers electronically communicating with the central computer server over the Internet to receive dispatch instructions comprising predefined electronic message forms or attachments relating to the pick-up and delivery of an ordering client.

Abstract: Guidance is provided to a staff of a service-oriented business when catering to a guest on the premises of the service-oriented business. A signal is received from a presence detector on the premises. The signal is representative of a presence of the guest at a pre-determined location on the premises. A length of a time period is determined, during which the guest has been present at the pre-determined location. On a display monitor, a visual indication is generated of the presence at the pre-determined location. The visual indication has an attribute that changes with the passing of time.

Abstract: A transport information system provides information and communications to enable the self-directed coordination of multiple vehicles engaged in a transportation service primarily targeted at passengers. The system provides the driver of each vehicle with information comprising a choice of routes or trips requiring service, each with a corresponding fee to be charged to the driver, or an incentive to be paid to the driver. A fee/incentive determiner determines the fees and incentives based on a number of factors, which may include an estimate of fare revenue anticipated for servicing the routes or trips. The transport information system strives to offset differences in fare revenue between the various routes or trips by varying the fees and incentives, thus motivating the drivers to service all the route and trips.

Abstract: A method for facilitating and improving process adoption in an organization is provided. The organization has a plurality of processes to carry out organizational tasks. The method includes receiving a set of priorities about the organization from at least one stakeholder in the organization. Further, the method includes the step of receiving a set of attributes about the organization from the at least one stakeholder in the organization. Furthermore the method includes the step of processing, on a computer, the set of priorities and the set of attributes to generate an optimal plan of training end users in the organization. The plan of training is designed to facilitate the process adoption. Finally, the method includes the step of monitoring the end users to improve the process adoption.

Abstract: A technique for operating an ad-hoc wireless communication network includes providing 400 a plurality of price checking stations 102 having wireless communication capabilities, designating 402 one of the price checking stations 102 as a master station in the ad-hoc network, and designating the remaining stations as slave stations 100, and communicating with devices 104-110 deployed in the network using the wireless communications capabilities of the price checking stations 100, 102.

Abstract: A method and a system to automatically coordinate remote inspectors are provided. Initially, a listing is identified for remote inspection in an online publication system. The listing may describe an item for sale that is, in turn, associated with a geographical location and a category. One or more remote inspectors are identified based on the geographical location and the category associated with the item for sale. The listing and respective profiles of each of the one or more remote inspectors is published to a buyer. A selection of a selected remote inspector is received from the buyer. A template inspection report is provided to the selected remote inspector. Once the remote inspector has inspected the item for sale, the buyer is provided a completed inspection report received from the selected remote inspector.

Abstract: A near field communications enabled mobile communication is used to provide or receive information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing online advertisements to consumers. A method disclosed herein allows a consumer to provide contact information to a business in response to a search request submitted to a search engine. Subsequently, the business may initiate a communication to the consumer at the contact information provided by the consumer. As a result, the business has better assurance that the advertisement fees provided to the search engine is in fact generating better consumer contacts for the business. In an embodiment of the system disclosed herein a telecommunications service provider may receive the contact information from the consumer and establish a line of communication between the consumer and the business.

Abstract: A real time sales support method includes automatically monitoring an interaction between a sales agent and a customer. One or more contexts of the interaction are determined and, based on the contexts, stored information relevant to the interaction is automatically retrieved. The retrieved information is provided in an electronically presentable format to the sales agent to be shared with the customer.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium stores a set of instructions executable by a processor. The instructions are operable to receive, from a plurality of sources, data relating to a plurality of problems in a network; categorize the data according to a plurality of criteria, the criteria relating to the plurality of problems; and generate a subset of the categorized data.

Abstract: An order entry system communicates with the customer over a user interface and works with an automated installation system for installing network service. The order entry system prompts the customer to place a new service order. The service parameters of the new service order are passed to the installation system. The order entry system notifies the customer of the route and prompts the customer to add a service order for the route to the customer order. If the customer adds the service order to the customer order, the order entry system prompts the customer to reserve the service order or to submit an order for the service. If the customer reserves or submits an order for the service, the order entry system request the installation system to design an actual communication line circuit to satisfy the order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for provisioning an electronic device for multiple services are disclosed herein. An exemplary embodiment, among others, of a provisioning method includes receiving a first request to procure a user device capable of operating under a plurality of service plans. The method also includes receiving a second request to provision the user device for operation under a first service plan and receiving a third request to provision the user device for operation under a second service plan. Also, the method includes coordinating the first request, second request, and third request to provision the user device under the first service plan and second service plan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.

Abstract: A system is described for providing an interactive career management tool. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store job levels and career option descriptions associated with business function and job identifiers. Each job level may be associated with experience and expectation descriptions. The processor may receive a business function and job identifier and may retrieve the associated career option descriptions and job levels along with the experience and expectation descriptions associated with each job level. The processor may transform the job levels, experience descriptions, and expectation descriptions into a table. The processor may transform the career option descriptions into an interactive display which includes several shapes. Each career option may be displayed when the user selects a shape associated with the career option description. The processor may provide the table and the interactive display to a device of the user.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for managing a whitelist. Upon receipt of an electronic message from an approved sender, the message is reviewed for references to other potential sender that may be added to the whitelist. For example, the potential sender may be copied on the electronic message. Based on this reference, the potential sender is deemed trustworthy and placed on the recipient's whitelist.

Abstract: A computer system for generating a dynamic presentation comprises: a master storage containing master presentation data having a master nodal structure and master contents associated with content nodes of said structure, a structure editor capable of copying said master nodal structure into a personalized data structure in a dedicated read/write storage and of selectively changing the copied master nodal structure into a personalized nodal structure in response to user inputs, wherein said personalized nodal structure comprises all or part of the nodes of the master nodal structure, a contents editor capable of copying a master content into said personalized data structure in said dedicated read/write storage and of selectively changing the copied master content into a personalized content in response to user inputs, a dynamic presentation generator for generating a personalized presentation by accessing said personalized data structure, determining which content nodes in said structure belong to personalized

Abstract: First ticket information relating to one or more locate request tickets identifying a dig area is electronically received, including first image data associated with the dig area. The first image data includes one or both of: i) a marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the marked-up digital image including at least one dig area indicator to provide an indication of the dig area; and ii) geographic information relating to the at least one dig area indicator. The dig area is inspected based at least in part on the first ticket information, and using one or more pieces of locating equipment to determine a presence or an absence of one or more underground facilities and/or physically mark the dig area with one or more physical locate marks.

Abstract: A customer recognition method and system using a mobile phone is provided. When a customer enters a communication area of an access point (AP) of a service provider, the AP communicates with a Bluetooth communication device of the customer's mobile phone, searches for BDA information of the customer, and transmits the BDA information to a local search server. The local search server extracts valid information of the customer and transmits the extracted information to a central server. The central server confirms reservation information on the customer, determines attendant information, creates customer recognition information by linking the customer information and the attendant information, and transmits the customer recognition information to an attendant of the service provider. A terminal of the attendant of the service provider receives the customer recognition information and externally displays the customer information so that the attendant of the service provider may use the customer information.

Abstract: A system and method of providing relevant sales context information that would enable vendors to reduce cost of operations, increase productivity of their mobile sales forces, and drive improved efficiencies throughout. Mobile sales force representatives can utilize a handheld computing device for reviewing relevant customer sales information prior to a sales visit; for training and other purposes during a sales visit; and inputting new customer sales information during or after a sales visit, which can then be uploaded to a server over a wireless network for future use. The handheld device can communicate with a server to download the customer information onto the handheld device and to upload from the handheld device current customer information data obtained from a customers sales visit to a server. The server can transmit the current customer information data to multiple sales force representatives who can utilize that information in the sales environment.

Abstract: A voice message system for use in kitchen management, particularly drive-thru restaurants, including a data processor (601); data storage means (601); a primary base station (102); a transmitter or other transmission means (501); a plurality of preset electronic messages; a plurality of receivers (101) adapted to reproduce one or more selected messages, transmit radio frequency messages and communicate between each other; and one or more ordering posts adapted to communicate with said kitchen management system. The messages are initiated at said ordering posts and then transmitted to the data processor (601) by the transmitter (501), said data processor converts the message into one of more preset messages transmitted to the master module (103) or a secondary module and then to the primary station (102) wherein the message is distributed to one or more receivers (101) or a speaker post system (105-112, 201-204).

Abstract: System and methods are presented to receive presence information about a customer of an enterprise. The presence information can be geo-presence information, which may be provided by a geo-presence system or by a third party. Information within the geo-presence information can identify the customer. With the identity, personal information about the customer can be retrieved. The personal information can include aggregations or associations of the customer and other people, places, items, etc. From the presence and personal information, the system can inform, direct, or modify interactions with customers. The changes to the interactions can target customers that the enterprise may value more and may be more willing to engage in consumer activity.

Abstract: A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations is provided. Initial requests to perform such operations are improved, and such requests are intelligently assessed to appropriately allocate resources to perform operations. Technicians are effectively dispatched and may be provided with process guides to facilitate performance. A host of information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired (e.g., via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes.

Abstract: A socially aware club management system is disclosed that provides compliance with the laws and patron relationship building by automating data collection while providing employees with relevant patron information to form lasting relationships. This information may be used in both real world and virtual world applications to keep the club in positive daily relationships with its patrons.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a virtual network operations center are described. In one embodiment, a data processing module receives data from an initial user regarding an incident or outage. A collaboration module enables collaboration between the initial user and at least one additional user in resolving the incident or outage during a collaborative session. A paging module pages at least one additional user to the collaborative session. An incident reporting module provides an incident report. A problem ticket module provides a problem ticket. An action item module provides one or more action items. Additional methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inter-office communication management system can include an inter-office communication item such as an inter-office mail envelope or routing slip. The inter-office communication item can be a transient document. An inter-office communication identifier placement module can affix an inter-office communication identifier to the first inter-office communication label. The inter-office communication label can be attached to the inter-office communication item. An inter-office communication tracking module can be used to track the inter-office communication item based on the inter-office communication identifier affixed to the inter-office communication label.

Abstract: An automated, scalable call-taking system integrates with existing telephony infrastructures and enables, through use of speech recognition, DTMF detection, text-to-speech (TTS), and other related software or hardware, the inputting, access, and retrieval of information to and from multiple back-end dispatch and booking systems without the need for a human operator.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a virtual knowledge management system which controls the flow of information relating to the performance of business in an enterprise. The flow of information that is intensively administered by a virtual knowledge base 20 is automatically controlled on the basis of information flow control data 40 including document utilization authorization data, mail communications control data, workflow model data, project data and the like. The utilization of document objects by users is controlled in accordance with the document utilization authorization data. The forwarding of and reply to email messages among users is controlled in accordance with the mail communications control data. The order of work among a plurality of users involved in a certain business process is controlled in accordance with the workflow model data. The flow of information among a plurality of users involved in a certain project is controlled in accordance with the project data.