Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for determining and implementing business changes. In one embodiment, a set of stages in a business change process are defined. A set of deliverables are also defined corresponding to each stage. A set of components are defined corresponding to each deliverable. And, a set of supporting assets are defined corresponding to each component. The various items may be view via a graphical user interface and may be selected to provide a customized plan for providing the deliverables to implement the business change.

Abstract: Identifying computer resource utilization issues includes accessing resource utilization data for a computer system for a particular period of time. The resource utilization data for the particular period of time is based on resource utilization data collected while processes were running on the computer system. The resource utilization data for the particular period of time includes measurements of a metric of operation of a component of the computer system. Each measurement is associated with a period of time. Statistical analysis is performed on the resource utilization data to identify a range of normal measurements for the metric for the particular period of time included in the resource utilization data. Measurements of the metric of the resource utilization data for the particular period of time are compared with the identified range of normal measurements to identify measurements that are outside of the identified range of normal measurements.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for determining a price premium for a project includes accessing project information that includes values for one or more parameters of a project. The method further includes determining from the project information a project duration for the project, a time value of money for the project, a variability for the project, and an expected project price. A price premium for the project is generated according to the project duration, the time value of money, the variability value, and the expected project price, using an option-pricing mathematical model for financial instruments.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for brokering data processing service licenses, including allocation and provisioning of the licenses. Preferred embodiments includes a functional architecture for services license brokerage, a license allocation process and a license provisioning process, a service license scheduler, and a definition of metadata for the service license brokerage.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, for controlling intermittent operation of a windshield wiper assembly. A user interface, formed of a pair of momentary contact switches, is used to set the repetition rate of intermittent operation of a wiper blade and, subsequently, when desired, to terminate the intermittent operation. A first of the switches is actuated two times, with the time period separating the actuations defining the repetition rate of the wiper blade when in the intermittent mode of operation.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method for signaling traffic flow information includes monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor, generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor, and communicating the wireless signal to a receiver. In another general aspect, a wireless receiver includes a wireless interface and a processor. The wireless interface receives a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor. The processor determines a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor.

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 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 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: A method for service-oriented design, including performing a role analysis, performing a services synthesis, performing an organization design, and transformation planning to produce a service oriented transformation plan. Also included is a related data processing system and computer program product.

Abstract: Systems and techniqes for identifying a participant in a teleconference allow other participants at remote locations to be informed of the identify of a current speaker. A currently speaking participant is identified in a teleconference conducted using a connection on a circuit-switched network, and a signal indicating an identifier of the currently speaking participant is transmitted over the connection on the circuit-switched network. The signal is received, and the identifier of the currently speaking participant is displayed at a participating location. The displayed identifier is determined based on the indication in the signal.

Abstract: A vehicle operator condition monitoring system is provided. In one embodiment, the vehicle condition monitoring system includes a physical condition monitoring unit such as a camera, a data processing system, a navigation system, and a communication system. The physical condition monitoring unit is mounted in a vehicle to monitor at least one physical trait of a vehicle operator. The data processing system is coupled to the physical condition monitoring unit to compare data acquired by the physical condition monitoring unit with rules indicating types of action to be taken. The navigation system is functionally coupled to the data processing system allowing the data processing system to determine the location of the vehicle and the communications system is functionally coupled to the data processing system to allow the data processing system to contact an appropriate entity should the physical condition of the vehicle operator warrant such contact.