Abstract: A PDF file is received from an external application and key information from the PDF file, concerning a PDF document contained in the PDF file, is extracted. The extracted key information is compared with analogous reference information stored for previously received PDF documents to determine a status for the received PDF document, which is provided to the external application from which the PDF file was received. The received PDF document is a duplicate if all the extracted key information matches analogous reference information, is an updated document if certain but not all the extracted key information matches analogous reference information, or is a new document if at least certain extracted key information does not match analogous reference information. If the PDF document is a duplicate document, processing of the PDF file is returned to the application without storing any extracted key information as reference information.

Abstract: A system for optimizing request-promise workflows includes a first entity that provides supplies to a second entity. The second entity optimizes its production to generate a request for the supplies and reoptimizes in response to promises received from the first entity. The first entity may send a culprit promise that identifies the supply that is creating the shortage.

Abstract: A method for detecting and resolving conflicts in association with a data allocation includes determining a relationship between each of a plurality of positions in a hierarchical organization of data. The method also includes selecting a position i and determining a total weight of position i. If the total weight of position i is effectively non-zero, the method further includes removing the influence of position i from the other positions and adding position i to a set of conflict-free positions.

Abstract: A system for running applications such as may be used over the internet separates the logical workflow processes of the application from views presented to a user. Separate process flow modules are used to provide state code for executing transactional applications. Logical views are designated by these modules in response to user input. Actual views presented to a user are derived from these logical views according to the status of the user and the communication channel over which the transaction is being performed. Process flow modules can be reused with different sets of user interface views to provide a variety of user interfaces without significant recoding.

Abstract: In one embodiment, method for generating a sampling plan for testing generated content includes generating input. The input is usable to generate a sampling plan for testing a lot. The input includes information reflecting a size of the lot, information reflecting a minimum level of lot quality that a consumer can tolerate, information reflecting a probability that the lot will not meet the minimum level of lot quality that the consumer can tolerate, and information reflecting one or more constraints that have historically affected lot quality. The method includes, according to the received input and a distribution function corresponding to the size of the lot, generating a sampling plan specifying a sample size and one or more acceptance criteria and generating information for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the generated sampling plan.

Abstract: A system for customizing user displays on a computer includes the generation of events by an event handler in communication with executing applications. By registering for selected events, and groups of events, a user may have certain notifications sent to their desktops. Available types of notifications may be categorized, and users can customize their notification window by selecting events, and categories of events, from those available.

Abstract: An XML-based framework (30) for developing software applications (12) includes a document manager (32) to manage activities relating to one or more XML-based data documents (34) associated with an application (12), each data document (34) modeling data associated with the application (12) and representing relationships between the data document (34) and one or more other data documents (34). The framework (30) includes a rules manager (36) to manage rules (38) specifying logic for handling notifications associated with XML-based action documents (34) received at the application (12), the notifications requesting actions involving data documents (34). The framework (30) also includes an operations manager (40) to manage the execution of transactions involving data documents (34) based on operations (42) defined for the application (12) during its development.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional database includes data organized into hierarchical levels. For each level within a dimension, predefined thresholds are set to determine which intersections are precomputed and which are not. The general result is to precompute intersections which take relatively longer to compute at run time, and to not precompute intersections which can be calculated relatively quickly at run time. When multiple dimensions of data are provided, a step-by-step process uses the level threshold for each dimension to determine whether data is to be prestored at an intersection. An odd-even calculation insures that computations performed at run time are relatively efficient. The technique results in good run time response, while not requiring maximum storage or recalculation time for data updates. By adjusting the thresholds at the individual dimension level, response of the multi-dimensional database can be changed as desired.

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 computer-implemented system for generating and displaying a table of data incorporating one or more color patterns includes a computer system. The computer system accesses a plurality of data records that include one or more fields containing data. The computer system generates a table for the data. The table includes multiple rows corresponding to data records and multiple columns corresponding to fields. The rows intersect the columns to define a cell at where they intersect. Each cell contains data for the data record and field corresponding to the intersecting row and column, respectively. The computer system incorporates a first color pattern into the rows such that a color of each row substantially differs in hue from a color of adjacent rows. The first color pattern provides visual connectivity among the cells within each row.

Abstract: Determining an inventory target for a node of a supply chain includes calculating a demand stock for satisfying a demand over supply lead time at the node of the supply chain, and calculating a demand variability stock for satisfying a demand variability of the demand over supply lead time at the node. A demand bias of the demand at the node is established. An inventory target for the node is determined based on the demand stock and the demand variability stock in accordance with the demand bias.

Abstract: A method of calculating supplies of key components based on enhancing revenues in a made to order scheme. Products are designed by identifying product components, and combining the components in various combinations. Key component supplies are calculated using an algorithm that considers demand probability of component and product as well as calculating the marginal value of each component.

Abstract: Determining a policy parameter for an entity of a supply chain includes establishing attributes of the entities of the supply chain. Attribute segments are established for each attribute, where an attribute segment includes one or more values of the corresponding attribute. Rules are formulated using the attribute segments to define policy groups, and policy parameters are assigned to each policy group. A policy group corresponding to an entity is identified in accordance with the rules. The policy parameters assigned to the identified policy group are determined and selected for the entity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, determining order lead time for a supply chain includes generating probability distribution for expected order lead time options, where each probability distribution for expected order lead time option is associated with a category. A category that corresponds to a supply chain is identified. The supply chain has nodes, including a starting node and an ending node that supplies a customer, and designates a path from the starting node to the ending node. A probability distribution for expected order lead time option associated with the identified category is selected as a probability distribution for expected order lead time for the supply chain. The probability distribution for expected order lead time describes ending node demand for the ending node versus order lead time.

Abstract: Optimizing inventory targets for nodes of a supply chain to satisfy a target customer service level may include accessing a supply chain model that has an assumed value for each of a number of inputs. An optimized inventory target is calculated according to the supply chain model to satisfy the target customer service level, and a measured actual customer service level and a measured actual value for each input are accessed. If the measured actual customer service level fails to satisfy the target customer service level, deviations between the measured actual and assumed values for each input are determined. An input for which the deviation is significant is identified to be a root cause of the failure. For a subsequent time period, using the deviation for the identified input as feedback, the assumed value for the identified input is adjusted, and a reoptimized inventory target is calculated to satisfy the target customer service level.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented database system (10) includes a first table (22a) including rows each corresponding to a keyword and each including an identifier uniquely identifying the keyword. Each keyword corresponds to one or more items for which a parametric search may be performed. A second table (22b) includes rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each including an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute. A third table (22c) includes rows each corresponding to a keyword-attribute combination and each including the identifier for the keyword, the identifier for the attribute, and a set of all valid attribute values for this combination. A fourth table (22d) includes rows each corresponding to an item and each including an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, and the identifier for the keyword for the item.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for executing bulk data transfers between persistent data stores. Programmatic source interfaces are each associated with a source store, defined according to a source interface specification, and exposed during a transfer to enable extraction from its source store of data entities for loading into any selected target stores during the transfer. Programmatic target interfaces are each associated with a target store, defined according to a common target interface specification, and exposed during a transfer to enable loading into its target store of data entities extracted from any selected source stores during the transfer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for executing bulk data transfers between persistent data stores in connection with an enterprise-level business workflow. A data integration server is coupled to one or more stores. Programmatic source interfaces are each associated with a source store, defined according to a source interface specification, and exposed within the server during a transfer in connection with an enterprise-level business workflow to enable the server to extract from its source store data entities for loading into any selected target stores during the transfer. Programmatic target interfaces are each associated with a target store, defined according to a target interface specification, and exposed within the server during a transfer in connection with an enterprise-level business workflow to enable the server to load into its target store data entities extracted from any selected source stores during the transfer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for executing bulk data transfers between persistent data stores. A data integration server is coupled to persistent data stores. Programmatic source interfaces are each associated with a source store, defined according to a source interface specification, and exposed within the server during a transfer to enable the server to extract from its source store data entities for loading into any selected target data stores during the transfer. Programmatic target interfaces are each associated with a target store, defined according to a target interface specification, and exposed within the server during a transfer to enable the server to load into its target store data entities extracted from any selected source data stores during the transfer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, method for generating a sampling plan for testing generated content includes generating input. The input is usable to generate a sampling plan for testing a lot. The input includes information reflecting a size of the lot, information reflecting a minimum level of lot quality that a consumer can tolerate, information reflecting a probability that the lot will not meet the minimum level of lot quality that the consumer can tolerate, and information reflecting one or more constraints that have historically affected lot quality. The method includes, according to the received input and a distribution function corresponding to the size of the lot, generating a sampling plan specifying a sample size and one or more acceptance criteria and generating information for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the generated sampling plan.