Abstract: A system for determining whether to present an online bid content from a prequalified value chain entity at a virtual point-of-decision on a web site includes an online customer database storing online customer data, a product manufacturer database storing prequalified value chain entity profiles and a dynamic arbitration engine. The dynamic arbitration engine determines whether a customer is at the virtual point-of-decision on the web site, a customer segment of the customer based on the online customer data, a next most profitable action based on the customer segment of the customer, prequalified value chain entities based on product manufactured and the bid content that may be presented to the customer at the virtual point-of-decision based on the customer segment of the customer and a product type. The dynamic arbitration engine also inserts the bid content at the virtual point-of-decision.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying a relationship between multiple interrelated applications running in a mainframe environment. A repository is created to store information describing the multiple interrelated applications from the mainframe environment. A target application among the multiple interrelated applications is identified, and a frequency and a dependency relationship between the application and the multiple interrelated applications is determined. The relationship is displayed via a user interface. The relationship may be used to identify a cause of a failure in a mainframe environment.

Abstract: At least one quasi-identifier attribute of a plurality of ranked attributes is selected for use in anonymizing a database. Each of the ranked attributes is ranked according to that attribute's effect on a database-centric application (DCA) being tested. In an embodiment, the selected quasi-identifier attribute(s) has the least effect on the DCA. The database is anonymized based on the selected quasi-identifier attribute(s) to provide a partially-anonymized database, which may then be provided to a testing entity for use in testing the DCA. In an embodiment, during execution of the DCA, instances of database queries are captured and analyzed to identify a plurality of attributes from the database and, for each such attribute identified, the effect of the attribute on the DCA is quantified. In this manner, databases can be selectively anonymized in order to balance the requirements of data privacy against the utility of the data for testing purposes.

Abstract: A system is configured to determine aggregated social media variables that may be used for modeling. The system includes an information identifier module determining keywords and phrases. The system also includes an aggregator receiving information collected from social media applications using the keywords and phrases and determining values for social media variables from the collected information. The aggregator aggregates the social media variables based on the values and weightings of the social media variables.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically updating and synchronizing contact center agent skill data maintained in a central agent skill database with a routing system based upon skill-changing events triggered in skill-Impacting systems. Contact center agent skills may be maintained in a skill database for a set of agents. A skill-impacting system (such as an education system, a satisfaction system or a metrics system) may send skill/capability data for an agent. The agent's profile in the skill database may be updated based on the received skill data. Either immediately, when triggered by an event, or at a predetermined interval, a routing system's routing logic may be synchronized with the new data in the agent's profile. When the contact center receives a contact (such as a phone call, an email, a web chat, an instant message, or a fax) from a customer, processing logic in the routing system may select a best-fit agent based on availability and skill data from the agent profiles.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for monitoring and evaluating a conversion facility. The method includes storing values for quantitative variables and/or cost variables associated with processes performed at the conversion facility. The method includes receives a syncing frame, wherein the syncing frame embraces values for the quantitative variables and/or the cost variables stored less than thirty days prior to receiving the syncing time frame. The method includes determining, from the stored values for at least one set of values for at least one of the variables that are within the syncing frame. The method also includes calculating a cost of processing a commodity processed at the conversion facility for the syncing frame using the first and second set of values.

Abstract: A prioritizing system and method are disclosed for prioritizing processing of payment instructions through a payment instruction processing system of a business entity. The method includes identifying a first set of rules determining a prioritization among a set of payment instructions. These include payment instructions related to payments from nostro accounts associated with the business entity and processed by other business entities. Also, the payment instructions have data fields for qualitative and quantitative attributes describing the payment instructions. The method also includes holding and ordering the payment instructions in a queue, determining a first sequence ordering the payment instructions in the queue based upon the first set of rules, and initiating processing of the payment instructions in the queue according to the first sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for identifying a set of ERP tasks performed by the ERP system when it is functional and for identifying a set of Interim Business Processes (IBPs) associated with ERP tasks. The method includes creating a set of IBP data capture tools Another step is assigning an IBP data capture tool to each IBP optionally using an IBP data main coordinating tool. Another step is identifying a set of responsibility centers in the business entity. Another step is providing an access link to each responsibility center to the IBP data capture tool and sending a notice to each responsibility center to begin capturing data at a predetermined time. Another step is receiving the IBP data from the IBP data capture tools optionally using the IBP data main coordinating tool, and storing the IBP data received optionally using the IBP data main coordinating tool.

Abstract: An online behavior tracking system includes a unique ID module configured to determine attributes of a user device, and calculate a unique ID for a user from the attributes. The unique ID is used to track online behavior for the user across different domains. Also, the online behavior tracking system is used in a content evaluation system which delivers content treatments to users and tracks online behavior of the users in response to the delivered treatments.

Abstract: A requirement statement manipulation system is configured to create and edit requirement statements of various types. The requirement statement manipulation system may generate an interactive visual environment to receive input used in manipulating a requirement statement through creation or editing. The interactive visual environment may include specific requirement-type interfaces allowing requirement statements of a specific type to be manipulated. The interactive visual environment may manipulate requirement statements based on textual input, as well as through text generation.

Abstract: The invention provides a human capital development framework which allows organizations to assess the business impact of human capital initiatives and guide their implementation. The invention further provides a four-tier tool for arriving at an assessment of an organization's human capital practices. The first tier includes a measurement of business results, the second tier involves key performance drivers which contribute to business results, the third tier involves human capital capabilities and the fourth tier involves human capital processes. Surveys are provided to collect data for each tier and a detailed report is generated based upon survey results.

Abstract: A system for determining a level of optimality for countries in which to perform a specified business function includes a data storage unit, a mapping engine and a mapping generator. The data storage stores a composite business environment index, a composite input resources index, and an innovation index. The mapping engine receives the specified business function and input factors related to the specified business function and selects at least two of the composite business environment index, the composite input resources index, and the innovation index based on the input factors. The matrix generator determines the level of optimality indicating a measure of success in achieving the specified business function for each of the countries based on scores in the at least two selected indices.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system.

Abstract: New functions for a contact center system include: testing user's comprehension of informational messages with a quiz; capturing insight of superior users having a KPI score above a threshold by having those users submit information on why they perform so well; dynamically ordering solutions to issues by re-ranking the solutions periodically based on recency and frequency; integrating information for use by a contact center representative while online with a customer and information for use when not online; storing content items in a telecommunications industry taxonomy; directing user feedback on a content item to the proper owner/manager of that content; communicating solution information using a solutions taxonomy; displaying a dual information system having a CRM application as well as reference material that is context-appropriate; enforcing completion of a group of templates when creating a content item to be published; ensuring a group of templates for a content item are complete before publishing them

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for establishing upgrade paths. In one aspect, a method includes establishing an interim environment and platform, migrating the data from the legacy environment and platform to the interim environment and platform, and migrating the data from the interim environment and platform to the upgraded environment and platform.

Abstract: A system for characterizing malicious activity in an intelligent utility grid system includes a system storage in which to store a database including a plurality of rules. A collector is operable to collect and store in the system storage information-technology (IT) data including IT-related activity from the intelligent grid system. A complex event processing (CEP) bus is operable to receive non-IT data including location-specific event data from a plurality of electronic sources, the CEP bus further operable to disregard the non-IT data failing to meet a predetermined level of relevance to one of a plurality of risk-related events. A processor is operable to apply the plurality of rules to the relevant non-IT data to: associate an undesired event with reference to the IT-related activity; and determine a probability that the undesired event is indicative of malicious activity. The processor further applies a risk characterization to the undesired event based on the probability and the IT-related activity.

Abstract: Access channel definition technology, in which a user experience for a secondary access channel is defined using one or more pre-configured user experience components that enable mapping of a user experience defined for a primary access channel to the user experience for the secondary access channel and that adapt the user experience for the secondary access channel to characteristics of devices that access the secondary access channel. In addition, a portal for the secondary access channel is defined using one or more pre-configured portal components and content management for the secondary access channel is defined using one or more pre-configured content management components that leverage content developed for the primary access channel and that customize presentation of the content for the secondary access channel. The secondary access channel is configured based on the defined user experience, the defined portal, and the defined content management.

Abstract: Methods and systems remotely monitor a current value of a meter display. A picture of the display is taken with a camera equipped portable communication device. The picture is sent through the portable communication device and associated infrastructure to a processing system. The processing system receives and stores the picture and, optionally, verification data, imaging location data, and other data, in a datastore. The processing system processes the picture to obtain a current value of the meter and authenticates the sender and/or the meter using the verification data and/or location data.

Abstract: Technology development initiatives are objectively evaluated using a framework that includes a set of evaluation parameters and scoring rules. Predefined evaluation parameter values are associated with the evaluation parameters. The evaluation parameters are also associated with scoring rules that can be used to generate score component associated with the evaluation parameters. The evaluation parameters are also grouped and the score components associated with the evaluation parameters are modified based on a scoring rule for the evaluation parameter group. The modified score components are used to generate final scores for the technology development initiatives, and the final scores are used to evaluate the technology development initiatives relative to other initiatives or relative to thresholds.

Abstract: A system is described for providing workforce planning services. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a baseline dataset describing current employees of an organization. The processor may be operative to determine a projected workforce dataset based on the baseline dataset, the projected workforce dataset describing projected employees required by the organization. The processor may assess the baseline dataset and employee movement strategies to determine a forecasted available workforce dataset describing forecasted employees available to the organization. The processor may determine a gap between the projected workforce dataset and the forecasted available workforce dataset. The processor may generate a workforce service plan which describes strategies for eliminating the gap and may provide the plan to a user. The processor may receive updates to the baseline dataset and may assess the updates to determine whether the plan is being effectively implemented.