Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for optimization using multi-dimensional data includes receiving a problem instance to be solved using an optimization engine. The problem instance is specified in a multi-dimensional format associated with a multi-dimensional data model that includes multiple data dimensions each including a hierarchy of members. The problem instance includes an objective function, an optimization operator, and one or more constraints. The optimization engine is unable to solve the problem instance including the objective function, the optimization operator, and the one or more constraints in the multi-dimensional format.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system (10) includes a content enhancement module (47) that analyzes the product data stored in a seller database (32) using one or more rules and that identifies one or more potential errors in the product data according to the rules. The rules include one or more generic rules that apply to substantially all seller databases (32) including product data. These generic rules include one or more of the following rules: a rule indicating that a potential error exists if two products in the seller database (32) have identical product identifiers but have otherwise different product data, a rule indicating that a potential error exists if two products in the seller database (32) have different product identifiers but have otherwise identical product data, and rules indicating that a potential error exists if the values associated with particular generic product attributes have a non-numerical format.

Abstract: A system for performing a business process includes a first version of a business application executed by a first client to perform a particular business process and a second version of the business application executed by a second client to perform the business process, wherein the first client is coupled to the second client using a communication link. The first version of the business application is identified using a first version identifier and the second version of the business application is identified using a second version identifier. One of the first version of the business application and the second version of the business application is selected to initiate the business process based upon the first version identifier and the second version identifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for forecasting a Last Time Buy quantity for a service part using a low-pass filter approach is provided. The method includes accessing input data including: (1) a service lifespan beginning at the end of mass production of a product associated with the service part; (2) data reflecting past accumulated production of the associated product for at least a first period beginning at the end of mass production of the associated product; and (3) an order data series reflecting past quantities of the service part ordered in each of a succession of periods beginning with a second period that immediately follows the first period and ending with a current period. A low-pass filter is applied to at least a portion of the order data series to extract low frequency components representing a smoothed order data series. A local maximum is sought within the smoothed order data series subject to predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A fulfillment management system includes a database operable to store product availability information associated with at least one product. The fulfillment management system also includes one or more processors collectively operable to receive at least one component available-to-promise (ATP) request. Each component ATP request corresponds to a particular ATP request line-item for a desired product. The one or more processors are also operable to retrieve at least a portion of the product availability information associated with the desired product from the database for each component ATP request, determine an ATP response for each component ATP request using the retrieved product availability information, generate a component quotation for each component ATP request according to the corresponding ATP response, and communicate the component quotation for consolidation with other component quotations.

Abstract: A system (100) for demand breakout for a supply chain includes a memory (112) operable to store a plurality of orders (118) for at least one product. Each product may be produced using at least one precursor. The memory (112) is also operable to store a production schedule (120) identifying one or more resources (108) in the supply chain, a quantity of each product and precursor scheduled to be produced by the resources (108), and a time period associated with production of each product and precursor. The system (100) also includes one or more processors (114) collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of the product that correspond to each product order. The one or more processors (114) are also collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of one or more precursors that correspond to each product order.

Abstract: A cover plate for hiding the socket faces of an electrical outlet. Particular embodiments of the cover plate are configured with multiple outlet configurations for use with more than one type of electrical outlet. The cover plate is mounted over the receptacle and has apertures for plug blades or thin, puncturable films over the apertures for the plug blades. Particular embodiments of the invention include thickness around the plug blade apertures for receiving plug blades of not more than 0.075 inches between the socket face and the front surface of the cover plate.

Abstract: A request broker receives a request from a client, including a description of a method and parameters to be used in executing the method. The parameters have one of multiple acceptable native formats. The request broker determines the native format and communicates the parameters in the native format to a selected one of multiple translators for translation to an internal format, where each translator is associated with a different native format. The request broker communicates the parameters in the internal format to an application server system to enable execution of the method, receives a return value from the application server system reflecting execution of the method, communicates the return value in the internal format to the selected translator for translation to the native format, generates a reply including the description of the method and the return value in the native format, and communicates the reply to the client.

Abstract: A hold down may include a weight associated with a coupling mechanism that is configured to removably couple to a foot of an awning support arm assembly. An RV awning and hold down system may include: an awning assembly having at least one support arm assembly disconnected from a side of an RV; and at least one hold down comprising a weight associated with a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism removably coupled to a foot of the at least one support arm assembly. A method for holding an RV awning assembly in position may include: disconnecting at least one support arm assembly of the awning assembly from a side of an RV; and removably coupling a foot of at least one support arm assembly to a coupling mechanism associated with a weight of a hold down.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for centrally managing core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise. A centralized master repository contains the core enterprise reference data. An internal services framework coupled to the centralized master repository provides internal services for managing the core enterprise reference data within the centralized master repository, one or more of the internal services having direct access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for management purposes.

Abstract: A method for configuring software includes communicating a business configuration interface to a user and receiving a selection of a business configuration from the user. In addition, the method includes communicating a business topology interface to the user that includes one or more functional elements associated with the selected business configuration. The method also includes receiving a selection of a functional element, which includes one or more business functions, from the user. In addition the method includes communicating a functional element interface to the user, the functional element interface including one or more business functions associated with the selected functional element, and receiving a selection of a business function from the user, the business function having one or more associated business processes.

Abstract: Redistributing parts includes defining locations. An actual inventory of parts is established among the locations, and a desired allocation of the parts is established among the locations. A demand for the parts at each location is determined using the actual inventory and the desired allocation. Paths are determined, where a path transfers an excess part from one location to another location. A transfer function describing a cost of transferring the excess part along the paths is generated. The transfer function is optimized to achieve the desired allocation of the excess parts at a minimum cost.

Abstract: A mounting device for removably mounting a tactical flashlight along side a firearm includes: a receiving member having a base and an offset flashlight receiver coupled thereto; and a clamping member removably coupled with the base. A method for removably mounting a tactical flashlight along side a firearm includes: removably coupling a mounting device to a front portion of a trigger guard; and removably coupling the flashlight to the mounting device along side the firearm so a tail cap of the flashlight is along side the front portion of the trigger guard. A tactical flashlight and firearm system includes: a firearm; a mini tactical flashlight; and a mounting device removably coupling the firearm and the flashlight together, the mounting device holding the flashlight along side the firearm so that a tail cap of the flashlight is along side a front portion of a trigger guard.