Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically optimizing a strategy of a decision management system. More specifically, a computer-implemented decision management system applies a strategy to determine actions to be taken, monitors performance based on the taken actions, and refines the strategy in accordance with the monitored performance. An end user of the system selects a part of the strategy for optimization, and selects criteria for optimizing the selected part of the strategy. The decision management system then automatically optimizes the selected part of the strategy in accordance with the selected criteria. The end user can decide whether or not to implement the optimized strategy in production.

Abstract: A system that includes a set components that can offer a complete solution to a client or can be partitioned to offer solutions to specific areas. The components are modular. The components are independent and integrated containing all the necessary processes and inputs and outputs to function independently. The components can also be. integrated together into a system where the components work together. The set of components are also convergent by allowing all services to be provided and viewed via single interface through a single consolidated customer database independent of the type of service(s) being provided to a customer.

Abstract: A system and method includes an interoperability engine dynamically generating and updating an application database, a web-based portal in a computer communications network, and a baseline data schema from at least one of a data source and a supplemental data source comprising self-describing documents, and enabling interoperability among application systems. The application database dynamically generates a reporting database. The web-based portal provides access to the application systems via the application database and the reporting database. The self-describing documents may be hosted. An integration unit maps the application systems to the baseline data schema and facilitates transmission and messaging between the baseline data schema and the application systems.

Abstract: A computer-implemented decision management system which provides qualitative client assessment via point in time simulation. More specifically, the decision management system (a) simulates the effect of a strategy by applying the strategy to client data, and (b) tracks what type of client traveled through a respective decision point in the strategy during the simulation. Simulation parameters can be selected without technical intervention via, for example, a GUI and a relational data model. Such parameters can include which customers and which client data sample will be used for the simulation, and which inbound events will trigger the strategy. Moreover, detailed and aggregate results can be consolidated to determine expected results from the simulated strategies, and traditional and OLAP reporting facilities can be applied to analyze/view the consolidated results.

Abstract: A high performance transaction storage and retrieval system supports an enterprise application requiring high volume transaction processing using commodity computers meeting business processing time budget requirements. The transaction storage and retrieval system is coupled to servers. The transaction storage and retrieval system includes input/output processes corresponding respectively to the servers and receiving transaction data from the servers, a memory, coupled to the input/output processes, receiving the transaction data from the input/output processes and storing the transaction data, disk writers coupled to the memory and corresponding respectively to the servers, and subpartition storage, coupled to the disk writers. The disk writers read the transaction data from the memory and store the transaction data in the subpartition storage. The subpartition storage is organized as flat files, each subpartition storage storing data corresponding to a subpartition of the transaction data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that allows remote, regulated entity users web based access to authorization data, such as permit data in an environmental regulatory permitting or management system. The user can enter, edit and submit permit and compliance data in the environmental permitting system controlled by a regulating agency in real-time via a web browser over the Internet. The system can also validate submitted information in real-time and allows the user to correct the data. Electronic certification with a unique signature is also performed. Fee payment can be made electronically in real-time through the permitting system with an electronic payments system with a corresponding credit being made to the relevant department general ledger account.

Abstract: A method of a computer system configured to sort data analyzes characteristics of storage system components of the computer system and the data to be sorted. A maximum number of sending processors of the storage system components is determined based on the characteristics and the data to be sorted. A control structure for the sending processors is determined based on the characteristics, the data, the characteristics and maximum number of sending and receiving processors, and load on the sending and receiving processors. The load is balanced across the sending processors and across the receiving processors. The storage system components are configured based on the characteristics, the data, the maximum number of sending processors, and the load, such that each receiving processor of the storage system components of the computer system is dedicated to a single disk or set of disks.

Abstract: A system and method includes a retrieving unit dynamically retrieving one or more points from a database, wherein the points are one of telephone numbers, cable numbers, and IP address numbers. A group of points mapping unit dynamically maps the one or more points to one or more groups of points and dynamically orders each group of points to a calling group of points and a receiving group of points. A zone creator unit dynamically identifies the one or more groups of points having same calling areas and dynamically generates therefrom one or more local zones. An assignment unit dynamically assigns an identifier to each calling group of points and each receiving group of points in each local zone. A rule generator dynamically generates local calling rules by concatenating the identifiers assigned to the calling group of points and to the receiving group of points in each local zone. A data transfer unit transfers the local calling rules to a rule database for billing purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically optimizing a strategy of a decision management system. More specifically, a computer-implemented decision management system applies a strategy to determine actions to be taken, monitors performance based on the taken actions, and refines the strategy in accordance with the monitored performance. An end user of the system selects a part of the strategy for optimization, and selects criteria for optimizing the selected part of the strategy. The decision management system then automatically optimizes the selected part of the strategy in accordance with the selected criteria. The end user can decide whether or not to implement the optimized strategy in production.

Abstract: A content management system for information delivery systems, including web based systems, that organizes the content of the information separately from the appearance of the presented information. The pages of the information are organized into documents and borders. Each border and document is further divided into an outline, organizing the content, and a template organizing the appearance. Individual content is stored in a native format enabling creators and maintainers to use familiar software tools for creation and maintenance. When retrieving the information, an assembly process gathers the content in accordance with the document's outline and formats the content in accordance with the document's template. The data structure allows triggers to be associated with content such that automated maintenance procedure can be implemented based on the activation of the triggers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feedback system for adding feedback functionality to an online content management system without altering the stored online content. The feedback system includes a feedback submission module for providing the content system with information enabling a browser displaying hypertext received from the content management system to select text for specific commenting, providing a feedback form when a portion of the hypertext is highlighted, and storing the selected text along with feedback received with the feedback form after it is returned by the browser. The system may include a personalized feedback status module, a view feedback module, and a feedback management module. The personalized feedback status module: responds to a user request to view feedback submitted by a user by searching the stored feedback; sends results to the browser.

Abstract: A computer-implemented decision management system which provides qualitative client assessment via point in time simulation. More specifically, the decision management system (a) simulates the effect of a strategy by applying the strategy to client data, and (b) tracks what type of client traveled through a respective decision point in the strategy during the simulation. Simulation parameters can be selected without technical intervention via, for example, a GUI and a relational data model. Such parameters can include which customers and which client data sample will be used for the simulation, and which inbound events will trigger the strategy. Moreover, detailed and aggregate results can be consolidated to determine expected results from the simulated strategies, and traditional and OLAP reporting facilities can be applied to analyze/view the consolidated results.

Abstract: A system for link analysis, having records of plural record types, and having links of plural link types, the links linking pairs of the records. Some of the pairs may be of different record types. The system may also have an index indexing the records of plural record types. The record types may have respectively different sets of fields. The index may index one or more of the fields of each of the records. The records may correspond to real world entities or information, and the fields and their names may correspond to attributes of the entities. Metadata or the like may map the fields to the field names, and may be used to sensibly display related information, such set of the records, etc. All entities or records may be searched, which may be combined with link search and analysis. Point-to-point searches and repeated search refinement may also be provided.

Abstract: A content management system for information delivery systems, including web based systems, that organizes the content of the information separately from the appearance of the presented information. The pages of the information are organized into documents and borders. Each border and document is further divided into an outline, organizing the content, and a template organizing the appearance. Individual content is stored in a native format enabling creators and maintainers to use familiar software tools for creation and maintenance. When retrieving the information, an assembly process gathers the content in accordance with the document's outline and formats the content in accordance with the document's template. The data structure allows triggers to be associated with content such that automated maintenance procedure can be implemented based on the activation of the triggers.

Abstract: An application server framework is integrated with a three-tiered computer system including an application server. The application server framework includes a job scheduler, a connection controller, a listener, and a service broker. The jobs scheduler is integrated with the application server and independently requesting execution of services. The connection controller establishes connections with services based upon the requested execution of services. The listener receives requests for execution of services and transmitting the requested execution of services to the connection controller. The service broker transmits the requests for execution of services to the listener.

Abstract: A computer-implemented, software based, decision management system which automatically searches for a respective strategy component through a strategy to identify where the strategy component is being used in the strategy, and to determine the strategy component's inter-relationships in the strategy. For example, an end user of the system selects a respective strategy component to be searched. A plurality of selectable inquiries are then automatically presented to the end user, where the plurality of selectable inquiries are context sensitive to correspond to the selected strategy component. The end user then selects a respective inquiry. Then, the system automatically searches for the selected strategy component through the strategy in accordance with the selected inquiry to identify where the strategy component is being used in the strategy. The strategy can be searched, for example, by analyzing linked tables of a relational data model for implementing the strategy.

Abstract: A workflow processing framework provides common objects and business processes for the creation of an enterprise-wide workflow processing system. Conventional workflow, database and other platforms are accessed using standardized protocols. The use of common objects providing robust functionality while being insulated from the specific platforms used to implement the workflow processing system enable the common objects to be reused to perform many functions in many different lines of business without modification. If necessary, foundation objects are written to utilize the existing platforms more fully than permitted by standardized protocols. The business processes are generalized as much as possible, but are customized as required to fit the enterprise environment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented rules based decision management system which is cross-platform, cross-industry and cross-function. The decision management system has a software architecture which includes a common code layer, a processing platform layer and a data architecture layer. The common code layer includes a common code kernel simultaneously operable on first and second hardware platforms which are different from each other, and provides software processing to interpret and apply the strategies. The processing platform layer includes a first software module supporting a processing mode for the first hardware platform, and a second software module supporting a processing mode for the second hardware platform. The data architecture layer includes a first data module supporting data storage and access by the first software module, and a second data module supporting data storage and access by the second software module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting taxpayers to audit by a tax collecting entity. An underreporting model is created, and indicates probability of an assessment being made against respective taxpayers from historical data. An analytical space is created for analyzing the taxpayers, and is based on the underreporting model. Taxpayers are positioned within the analytical space. Factors within the analytical space are analyzed, based on historical data. The analyzed factors are used to predict audit return on auditors' time when auditing taxpayers. Then, assessments against taxpayers are forecasted, based on the predicted audit return. A basis for audit selection is formulated from the forecasted assessments. In this manner, a total audit assessment amount collected by the tax collecting entity can be maximized.

Abstract: A computer-implemented, software based, decision management system which automatically searches for a respective strategy component through a strategy to identify where the strategy component is being used in the strategy, and to determine the strategy component's inter-relationships in the strategy. For example, an end user of the system selects a respective strategy component to be searched. A plurality of selectable inquiries are then automatically presented to the end user, where the plurality of selectable inquiries are context sensitive to correspond to the selected strategy component. The end user then selects a respective inquiry. Then, the system automatically searches for the selected strategy component through the strategy in accordance with the selected inquiry to identify where the strategy component is being used in the strategy. The strategy can be searched, for example, by analyzing linked tables of a relational data model for implementing the strategy.