Abstract: An Enterprise Network includes a master data management (MDM) system that is linked to two or more data sources each of which include means for storing local management information. The MDM system builds a master management information database that is comprised of some or all of the management information stored by the data sources. The master database in the MDM includes master records each of which is comprised of one or more attributes. The MDM system is configured to only update particular master record attributes with selected management information received from a trusted data source.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for satisfying a purchase requisition includes receiving, from each of a plurality of candidate suppliers, a corresponding plurality of bids. At least one candidate supplier includes, with its bids, an offer of a business-volume discount that is triggered when an aggregate purchase of at least one unit of a first item and at least one unit of a second item is within a defined volume interval. An optimal award schedule for satisfaction of the purchase requisition is then determined.

Abstract: A Methodology for identifying secondary concepts that are included in one or more documents in a collection of documents is disclosed. Training information is manually created from a subset of a collection of documents and used by a primary concept identification function to process textual information contained in the documents included in the collection of documents to identify primary concepts included in the collection of documents. Each of the primary concepts included in the collection of documents is used as input to a secondary concept identification function which results in the identification of secondary concepts included in each of the primary concepts. A query is generated and used as input to both the primary and secondary concept identification functions and the result of both the operation of both of these functions on the query is compared to the identified secondary concepts.

Abstract: Prospective suppliers competing in an auction format to fulfill a requisition receive assistance in responding to the requisition over a computer network. A plurality of bids responsive to the requisition are received from at least one prospective supplier. At least one initial winning bid is selected from the received bids that at least partially satisfies the requisition. Using the received plurality of bids, at least one proposed bid is determined that, if adopted by a prospective supplier, would constitute a new winning bid. The proposed bid is made available to at least one prospective supplier that had not previously submitted a winning bid.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining an optimal award schedule for at least partial satisfaction of a requisition includes receiving from a buyer over a computer network, public buyer constraints representative of the requisition. These public buyer constraints are made available to prospective suppliers over the computer network. Candidate suppliers from the set of prospective suppliers then submit bids for analysis by the buyer. This is followed by the determination of an optimal award schedule for at least partial satisfaction of the buyer's requisition.