Abstract: A system (10) for optimization using multi-dimensional data includes a server (12) that uses a multi-dimensional data model to organize data stored at one or more data storage locations (14). The multi-dimensional data model includes a number of data dimensions (50, 70) that each include a hierarchy of members (54, 74). The server (12) receives input from a user specifying a problem instance to be solved using an optimization engine (20). The problem instance is specified by the user in a multi-dimensional format and the optimization engine (20) is unable to solve the problem instance in the multi-dimensional format. The system (10) also includes a transformation module (22) that receives the problem instance in the multi-dimensional format, transforms the problem instance into a format appropriate for the optimization engine (20), and communicates the transformed problem instance to the optimization engine (20) to be solved.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method is provided for aggregating and scheduling product batches in a manufacturing environment. Using a batch aggregation engine implementing a mathematical programming strategy, one or more product demands are allocated to one or more product batches having suggested sizes and suggested starting times. The mathematical programming strategy includes evaluating a number of time-based penalties relative to one another in allocating the demands to the batches, the time-based penalties being based on relationships between suggested starting times for batches and times of demands being considered for allocation to batches. The suggested sizes, the suggested starting times, and feedback relating to the suggested sizes and suggested starting times are communicated from the batch aggregation engine to a scheduling engine to assist the scheduling engine in scheduling starting times for the batches.

Abstract: A high availability planning and scheduling system includes a number of high availability (HA) systems (20) that are coupled to one or more external systems (40) using a message bus (50). Each HA system (20) includes an HA server (24) that receives and queues requests received from the external systems (40). Each HA system (20) also includes an advanced planning and scheduling (APS) engine (22) that receives a request from the HA server (24) and processes the request using planning information stored in memory of the HA system (20). Furthermore, the APS engine (22) also modifies the planning information according to the processing of the request and generates a response to the external system (40) from which the request originated. The high availability planning and scheduling system further includes a message manager (54) that directs each request received from the external systems (40) to an appropriate HA system (20) using the message bus (50).

Abstract: A system and method supports multiple alternative graphical user interfaces in computer-moderated electronic commerce. A single database system provides information necessary for standard graphical user interface display by different display engines. The information which is supplied to generate user interface objects is formatted to support low bandwidth graphical user interfaces. In particular, formatting is selected so that low bandwidth HTML engines render a user interface similar to that displayed by higher bandwidth engines.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for mapping between part numbers that are based on different part numbering schemes includes receiving a first part number associated with an item, the first part number associated with the item being defined according to a first part numbering scheme. A database is searched for one or more second part numbers that are associated with the item and also cross-referenced to the first part number associated with the item, the one or more second part numbers associated with the item being defined according to one or more corresponding second part numbering schemes.

Abstract: A system (10) for sorting search results according to a buyer profile (47) during the matching phase of an electronic commerce transaction includes a database containing a buyer profile (47) associated with a buyer (20), the buyer profile (47) comprising a record of the number of times each of multiple sort criteria has appeared in at least some previous events involving the buyer (20). A server (40) receives multiple search results communicated from one or more seller databases (32) in response to an under-constrained search query in which exact attribute values are not specified for one or more attributes. The server (40) accesses the buyer profile (47) to determine an order of display based on the number of times one or more sort criteria in the buyer profile (47) applicable to the search results have appeared in the previous events involving the buyer (20). The server (40) sorts the search results according to the determined order of display and communicates the sorted search results to the buyer (20).

Abstract: A method for automatically updating a GUI element at a client system according to an updated state of a configuration includes displaying the GUI element at the client system in connection with a configuration workflow, the GUI element being associated with a configuration choice involving a configuration element of a configuration model stored at a server system. At the client system, a connector is created and maintained, the connector linking a property of the configuration element of the configuration model to the GUI element. Also at the client system, configuration data is maintained, the configuration data representing a current state of a configuration in relation to the configuration model. In response to user input during the configuration workflow, data is received from the server system representing an update to the updated state of the configuration with respect to the property of the configuration element.

Abstract: A system (10) for providing guided buying decision support within an electronic marketplace environment includes a server (42) that interacts with buyers (12) to receive procurement parameters for items. An option generator (50) receives procurement parameters for a particular item needed by a particular buyer (12), determines one or more acceptable item-supplier combinations consistent with the procurement parameters for the item, and generates one or more recommended options for communication to the buyer (12), each recommended option specifying a service through which it is possible to procure the item consistent with the procurement parameters. The server (42) further interacts with the buyer (12) to receive a selection of a particular recommended option. A manager application (46) automatically initiates the service specified in the selected recommended option in an attempt to procure the item consistent with the procurement parameters.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for routing shipments according to criticality includes accessing an initial solution to an optimization problem of routing multiple shipments to multiple locations using multiple vehicles, the initial solution including multiple loads such that each shipment is routed within exactly one load and a global cost across all loads is minimized, the initial solution being generated independent of the criticality of the shipments. Into each of one or more critical loads in a current solution, one or more non-critical shipments are inserted that are within a neighborhood of the critical load, a critical load being a load containing at least one critical shipment.

Abstract: A system for automatically generating a GUI element at a client system according to a current configuration model includes one or more software components generated at a server system for communication to a client system in connection with a configuration workflow. When loaded at the client system, the one or more software components include data reflecting the current configuration model. When loaded at the client system, the one or more software components also include one or more parameters specifying the GUI element that will be appropriate for a configuration choice depending on the current configuration model as reflected in the data. When executed at the client system, the one or more software components automatically determine, according to the data reflecting the current configuration model, a configuration choice for which an appropriate GUI element needs to be drawn for display to a user associated with the client system in connection with the configuration workflow.

Abstract: An electronic marketplace system (10) operates on one or more computers that collectively facilitate marketplace interactions between one or more first participants (12, 14) and a second participant (14, 12). The system (10) receives feedback as to performance of the second participant (14, 12) from the first participants (12, 14) based on their interactions with the second participant (14, 12). The system (10) associates a participant-specific rating with the second participant (14, 12) based on the feedback received from a particular first participant (12, 14), the participant-specific rating of the second participant (14, 12) being specific to the first participant (12, 14), being independent of feedback received from other first participants (12, 14), and being stored in a profile maintained for the first participant (12, 14).

Abstract: A fulfillment server (16) for managing ATP data in a distributed supply chain planning environment receives an ATP request (30) from one of multiple clients (12). The ATP request (30) includes multiple request line-items that each correspond to a desired product. The fulfillment server (16) then generates one or more component ATP requests (32) based on the request line-items and communicates component ATP requests (32) to at least one of multiple local fulfillment managers (14). In response, the fulfillment server (16) receives component quotations (34) from the local fulfillment managers (14), each corresponding to a component ATP request (32) and each including product availability information for the corresponding desired product. The fulfillment server (16) generates a quotation (36) that includes product availability information for all desired products, according to the component quotations (34), and communicates the quotation (36) to the client (12).

Abstract: A system (10) for retrieving data from a database (22) using a data management system (20) includes a change retrieval engine (50) that is coupled to the data management system (20). The change retrieval engine (50) determines that data in the database (22) managed by the data management system (20) has been changed and receives information from the data management system (20) identifying one or more categories with which the changed data is associated. The change retrieval engine (50) also accesses a data model (54) to identify data to be retrieved from the database (22) using the data management system (20) according to the received information. The data model (54) identifies data related to the categories. Furthermore, the change retrieval engine (50) requests the data identified by the data model (54) from the data management system (20) and receives the data from the data management system (20). The change retrieval engine (50) stores the data in a data log (74) and communicates a transfer command.

Abstract: A remote session server, or bank of remote session servers, is provided to a bank of web servers. Each web server maintains a cache that contains all of the session information for all sessions being serviced by that server. The web server utilizes its local cache to perform all session services. The remote session server maintains a copy of all session information from all caches, and is updated whenever changes are made on each web server. If a web server should go down, an ongoing session can be transferred to a different web server. In such event, the new web server is able to obtain the previous status of the session from the remote web server and continues serving the session in a transparent manner.

Abstract: A system operating on at least one computer for displaying planning information associated with a supply chain includes an enterprise model, a planning engine, and a presentation interface. The enterprise model represents a supply chain that involves a plurality of products and resources. The planning engine uses the enterprise model to generate planning information for the supply chain according to one or more specified constraints and one or more optimization criteria. The presentation interface generates a first visual display for selected planning information. The first visual display includes a cashflow report providing a net present value for one or more products in the supply chain. Each net present value reflects revenues and expenses associated with a corresponding product according to time periods in which the revenues and expenses occur.

Abstract: A binary tree structure for detecting inventory problems. A first embodiment detects on-hand inventory problems. A second embodiment detects inventory requirements problems. Both embodiments use a binary tree whose nodes store time values and delta values. (FIG. 2). The delta values represent inventory consumers or producers. (FIG. 6). The time values of trees used for inventory requirements problems are shifted in accordance with build-ahead times. (FIG. 6).

Abstract: A warranty transaction system (30) includes a user interface (32) that receives a warranty request from a customer computer (20) using a communications network (12). The warranty request indicates an item a customer desires to cover under a warranty. The warranty transaction system (30) also includes a warranty generation engine (34) that generates one or more warranty packages that are consistent with the warranty request. The warranty packages are created according to one or more rules. The user interface (32) communicates the warranty packages to the customer computer (20), receives a selection of at least one warranty package from the customer computer (20), and communicates the selected warranty package to one or more warranty provider computers (40) using the communications network (12). In a more particular embodiment, the user interface (32) receives bids on the selected warranty package from one or more warranty provider computers (40) and communicates the bids to the customer computer (20).

Abstract: A system for service transaction brokering among distributed marketplaces includes a first marketplace (102) that provides at least a first service and a second marketplace (102) that provides at least a second service. The system also includes a service transaction broker (104) that is coupled to the first and second marketplaces (102) and that provides at least the second service of the second marketplace (102) to a user (200) that is coupled to the first marketplace (102) in response to the user (200) communicating a service request.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a messaging system utilizes a local queue manager to receive messages intended for other processes. Messages received by the local queue manager are stored onto a local persistent storage device when a process sending the message has completed the sending action. The local queue manager then sends the message to an appropriate recipient. When the message has been received and confirmed, the recipient removes the message from the persistent storage device. If a hardware or software failure occurs, the message is stored and can be re-sent after the failure is corrected. In certain embodiments, a message writer is operable to communicate the message to the receiving process and remove the message from the queue after sending it to the receiving process.

Abstract: A method for sorted-paged retrieval of hierarchical data from a relational database is disclosed, which includes the use of one or more relational table equi-join terms in a query to increase the retrieval efficiency, suitable restrictions imposed on the join terms to further increase the retrieval efficiency, partial de-normalization or replication of information to improve the efficiency of the join operation(s) and thus further increase the retrieval efficiency, and proper cursor management to keep track of the current location of the cursor(s) involved. As a result, specific pages of objects can be efficiently retrieved from a database, while the specified sort orders and restrictions imposed by the original retrieval requests can be maintained.