Abstract: Techniques are described for determining the quality of software using fuzzy logic. The techniques include using linguistic variables to translate a numeric value of a quality attribute into a linguistic value of a quality attribute. The linguistic values of multiple quality attributes are aggregated into a quality rating of the software. The quality rating then is used to predict a performance attribute for the software. Techniques are described that may help improve the accuracy of the prediction, including refining software quality parameters based on a comparison of the parameters with software quality of the developed software. The techniques also include the ability to modify the quality attributes used based on the computing environment, the organizational environment or other characteristics.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for manufacturing a product include storing product-related information with the product during at least one of a time of manufacture and during the life of the part after manufacturing. The product-related information may be stored on one or more tags secured to a portion of the product and may be used to facilitate or control an aspect of manufacturing. During manufacturing, product-related information may be updated, for example, to reflect completion of a manufacturing operation. Product-related information, such as maintenance and warranty information, may also be recorded after manufacturing, such as during the service life of the product.

Abstract: A system for analyzing information relating to network devices comprises a computer readable storage medium and computer software stored on the computer readable storage medium. The computer software reviews message information generated by a plurality of network devices, stores event records associating events from the message information with the plurality of network devices, determines whether two or more duplicate events are within a time window, assigns a weighting value to at least some of the events, excluding at least some of the duplicate events in response to determining that the duplicate events are within the time window, calculates a total value for one of the plurality of network devices using the weighting values, and generates a report according to the total values calculated for the network devices.

Abstract: A system for analyzing information relating to network devices comprises a computer readable storage medium and computer software stored on the computer readable storage medium. The computer software reviews message information generated by a plurality of network devices, stores first event records associating first events from the message information with the plurality of the network devices, reviews user-reported event information, correlate the user-reported event information with a network device, store a second event record associating a second event from the user-reported event information with the network device correlated with the user-reported event information, calculate a total value for on ones of the network devices, and generates a report according to the total values.

Abstract: A plurality of accounts payable items (14) are communicated over communications links (24) to a global purchasing information repository (GPIR) (12) by account servers (19) and regional servers (18). A preparation application (16) unifies the representation of the items and a GPIR application (20) associates categories (54) and buyer identifiers (56) with the items based on criteria (70). A vendor alignment tool module (23) associates vendor identifiers (58) with vendor names (34) associated with the items and with the items. The module also associates vendor groups (62) with the vendor identifiers based on relationships between the vendor identifiers. A plurality of reports (74) may be generated in response to the identifiers, groups and categories to provide information to a business regarding global expenditures and vendor relationships.

Abstract: An assembly, and an associated methodology, for providing a listener of content, such as songs played out at a radio receiver of an automotive vehicle, with follow up information related to the content. The listener actuates a user actuator. In response to actuation of the user actuator, a signal is caused to be sent, such as by way of a satellite communication system, that is forwarded on to a data server that stores data related to content. Additional information is retrieved from the data server and information is sent by way of a data message to a computer work station for the listener's subsequent viewing.

Abstract: A capacity planning project planning tool, and an associated method, for a computer system. Planning is provided by which to determine computer system resource requirements needed pursuant to a project. A common data base is created and populated with planning data related to the system planning project. The data stored at the common data base is dynamically updatable. A capacity planner utilizes the planning data stored at the common data base. The capacity planner plans the computer system resource requirements and adjusts the plan responsive to dynamic updates to the planning data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for conveying data between computing devices. In certain implementations, a system and method for conveying data between computing devices include the capability to, at a wireless terminal, generate a computer interface message containing peripheral device registration information, receive a computer interface message containing data for a peripheral device associated with the device registration information, and generate a wireless network message to convey the data to a peripheral device associated with the device registration information.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for controlling the communication connectivity of a computer device. The computer device is selectably connectable to a wired network and to a wireless network. A user selects one of the networks into which to place the computer device into the communication connectivity. The computer device is placed into communication connectivity with the selected network by way of a network adapter. An adapter associated with the non-selected network is disabled to prevent the computer device from concurrently being placed in communication connectivity with the non-selected network.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for generating a distributable software package, including loading a template/profile; loading at least one module; receiving configuration options over a network connection; and assembling a distributable software package according to the profile, template(s), modules, and the configuration options.

Abstract: A hardware token, and an associated methodology, that converts confidential input information into secure form prior to its input to a computing station, such as a desktop or laptop computer. The hardware token is positioned in line between an input keyboard or keypad and the computer. All confidential information is converted into secure form, such as by encryption by an encryption key retrieved from a memory location of the hardware token.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for manufacturing a product include storing product-related information with the product. The product-related information may be stored on one or more tags secured to a portion of the product and may be used to facilitate or control an aspect of manufacturing. During manufacturing, product-related information may be updated, for example, to reflect completion of a manufacturing operation.

Abstract: A method for integrating business rules into automated business processes comprising identifying an entity affected by a data update initiated by a step of an automated business process. The method further comprises accessing a rule registry comprising a plurality of business rules, each business rule corresponding to one or more entities, and determining which business rules in the rule registry to evaluate by determining from the plurality of business rules one or more business rules that correspond to the entity affected by the data update. The method further comprises, for each of the business rules determined to correspond to the entity affected by the data update, evaluating the business rule in context to determine whether performing the data update would violate the business rule and, if it is determined that performing the data update would violate the business rule, raising an exception in accordance with the violated business rule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for asset data collection, presentation, and management. In one general aspect, a Web portal provides a centralized end-to-end view of IT operations of an organization. The portal may, for example, provide an organization's view of operations and asset data. Visibility of accurate data on an organization-wide scale allows managers to spot issues immediately, respond quickly, and offer continuous improvement.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for conveying data between computing devices. In certain implementations, a system and method for conveying data between computing devices include the capability to, at a wireless terminal, generate a computer interface message containing peripheral device registration information, receive a computer interface message containing data for a peripheral device associated with the device registration information, and generate a wireless network message to convey the data to a peripheral device associated with the device registration information.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for communicating with an LDAP server. When an LDAP server call is required, the call is encapsulated in a wrapper class which then interacts with the LDAP server.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) vehicle management system and method. For example, an RFID tag may be coupled with a particular vehicle and operable to store identifying information associated with the vehicle and to automatically communicate the identifying information to an RFID tag reader via a wireless communication. In another example, the method may include querying a first RFID tag coupled with a first vehicle for identifying information of the first vehicle. A second RFID tag coupled with a second vehicle for second identifying information of the second vehicle. The first identifying information and the second identifying information is dynamically communicated to a user.

Abstract: A method to automatically generate correspondence in multiple languages includes identifying format data portions and content data portions for pieces of correspondence, storing the format data portions and content data portions in a database capable of directly storing blocks of text in both single-byte and multi-byte languages, receiving a request for generation of a piece of correspondence in a multi-byte language, accessing the database to obtain the format data portion and the content data portion of the requested piece of correspondence, and automatically generating the requested piece of correspondence. Each of the format data portions of the pieces of correspondence includes a layout and a style of a corresponding piece of correspondence, and each of the content data portions includes standard text having fixed content for all instances of the corresponding piece of correspondence and variable text having content that varies for different instances of the corresponding piece of correspondence.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing an estimate for proposals and other customer requests which precludes an extensive up front investment in expert opinion and design. This is accomplished by applying a pattern-based technique toward rough application effort sizing called herein “Web Based Macro Patterns.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for controlling access to a plurality of records and/or documentary materials to be persisted in an electronic archives system are provided. The plurality of records and/or documentary material and all preserved information may be stored and accessed on the basis of user and/or object attributes. The user attributes include group affiliation, ownership, and state (e.g., workflow step and time of day). The object attributes include group affiliation, business role, clearance or access level, and network address from which access is requested. Access to the plurality of records and/or documentary material can be obtained both from within a single security domain as well as across more than one security domain.