Abstract: An application is implemented in the production environment in which the application will be used. Two or more backend systems are provided. Actual user data is received. The actual user data is routed and processed in the production environment using a first backend system of the two or more backend systems. Fabricated user data is generated, routed, and also processed in the production environment but using a second backend system of the two or more backend systems. Results data from the processing of the fabricated user data is then analyzed to evaluate the production environment and/or operation of the application in the production environment.

Abstract: An application is implemented in the production environment in which the application will be used. Two or more backend systems are used to implement different versions of the application using the production environment in which the application will actually be used and accessed. Actual user data is received. A first portion of the actual user data is routed and processed in the production environment using a first version of the application and a first backend system of the two or more backend systems. A second portion of the actual user data is also routed and processed in the production environment but using a second version of the application and a second backend system of the two or more backend systems. The results data is then analyzed to evaluate the various versions of the application in the production environment.

Abstract: An application is implemented in the production environment in which the application will be used. Fabricated user data associated with the application implemented in the production environment is then generated and provided to the application as implemented in the production environment. The fabricated user data is then processed by the application in the production environment to transform the fabricated user data into fabricated user results data. In one embodiment, the fabricated user results data is then analyzed to evaluate the production environment and/or operation of the application in the production environment.

Abstract: Temporary secure access enabled virtual assets are provided that include a temporary secure access communications door. Upon receipt of temporary access authentication data from a source outside the temporary secure access enabled virtual asset, the temporary secure access communications door temporarily allows operational instruction code to be transferred into the temporary secure access enabled virtual asset from a source outside temporary secure access enabled virtual asset.

Abstract: During a testing technique, a pre-defined set of tests associated with a software product may be performed on different instances or versions of the software product (such as versions that have different user interfaces) in associated virtual environments. Moreover, during a given test, subsets of a group of individuals may interact with a given version of the software product. Initially, the subsets may be selected based on attributes of the individuals, such as: age, gender, occupation, and/or education level. However, subsequently the results of the executed pre-defined set of tests may be used to update the subsets. Furthermore, the testing technique may be repeated until a termination criterion is reached, such as a target use case of one or more of the subsets. In this way, the testing technique may be used to perform permutation testing.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system obtains a communication associated with a document and extracts data associated with the document from the communication. Next, the system uses the extracted data from the communication and document data from the document to build a context associated with the document. The system then uses the context to facilitate use of the document by a user associated with the communication.

Abstract: A communications protocol is selected to be used to transfer message data between a source computing entity and a destination computing entity. Encryption code data identifying the selected communications protocol is generated and associated with the message data. One or more communications endpoint proxy systems are provided that include an encryption code identification module and a communications protocol processing module for obtaining communications protocol processing data associated with first communications protocol identified by encryption code data. The message data is transferred to the communications endpoint proxy and the communications protocol processing data associated with communications protocol identified by encryption code data is obtained and used to process the message data which is then transferred to the destination computing entity.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for implementing a persistence application programming interface (API) that is platform independent and can make up-calls to business logic. During operation, the system receives a request at the API to execute a command at a persistence tier of an n-tier distributed application. In response to the request, the system determines an entity type for an entity affected by the command. Next, the system identifies a function at a middle tier of the n-tier distributed application that is associated with the entity type and the command, wherein the middle tier includes the business logic. The system then sends an instruction to the middle tier to execute the function. Finally, upon receiving a confirmation at the API that the function executed, the system executes the command at the persistence tier.

Abstract: During a search technique, results for a commerce query associated with a desired financial transaction are determined using information in a data structure that specifies a commerce graph. This commerce graph may include nodes and branches indicating financial interrelationships among a set of entities (such as individuals or businesses), and the financial interrelationships may include: inputs to the set of entities, outputs from the set of entities, and previous financial transactions among the set of entities.

Abstract: A method of configuring a personalized geographical area for a user. An electronic system for providing a geographical-based service (e.g., a business directory, mapping, consumer opinions) obtains information regarding locations that can be associated with the user. Such locations may include his home address, the zip code in which he works, a business district he provides or reviews consumer opinions for, an address of an establishment for which he requests a map, etc. Using the various locations associated with the user, a personalized geographical area is configured for the user, to act as his default area when reviewing consumer opinions, requesting business locations and/or other purposes. His personalized area may change over time as the system obtains newer information regarding his activities. The personalized area may be of any size and shape, particularly non-circular, as it may be derived based on travel distances over terrain (i.e., instead of straight-line distance).

Abstract: Item identification data indicating a product or service of interest to a first party is obtained and posted to one or more network locations accessible by one or more other parties associated with the first party. Activity on the one or more network locations where the item identification data is posted is then monitored. If data indicating interest in the product or service from one or more other parties is identified that exceeds a threshold level of indicated interest, then at least one provider of the product or service is notified and provided the opportunity to extend a potential group sale related offer to at least one of the individuals indicating interest in the product or service.

Abstract: A system including a managing device communicatively coupled to a keyholding device. The managing device includes a data manager executing on the processor configured to receive a request to decrypt encrypted data from a protected application and obtain the keyholding device identifier from a trusted device list. The data manager is further configured to send a connection request to the keyholding device using the keyholding device identifier and create an established connection in response to determining that the keyholding device has accepted the connection request. The data manager is further configured to request, via the established connection, the encryption key from a keyholding process executing on the keyholding device and obtain the encryption key from the keyholding process on keyholding device. The data manager is further configured to decrypt the encrypted data using encryption key to obtain decrypted data and send the decrypted data to the protected application.

Abstract: A method to adapt a software application for a geographical region. The invention includes receiving, by a computer processor and from at least one of a plurality of users of the software application, a first translation of a localizable item in a user interface (UI) menu of the software application, wherein the first translation is based on a language of the geographical region, generating, by the computer processor, a tally of the first translation from the plurality of users, presenting, to the plurality of users via a plurality of instantiations of the UI menu in response to the tally exceeding a pre-determined count, the localizable item using the first translation, receiving, from the plurality of users via the plurality of instantiations of the UI menu, feedback regarding the accuracy of the first translation, and classifying, based on the feedback, the first translation as an approved translation of the localizable item.

Abstract: A method for inventory management. The method includes: obtaining a first invoice sent from a supplier to a first merchant; capturing, by a computer processor, a first set of inventory data from fields on the first invoice; updating a template for the supplier based on capturing the first set of inventory data, where the template includes locations of the fields on the first invoice; obtaining a second invoice sent from the supplier to a second merchant, where the second invoice includes the fields; and capturing, after updating the template and by the computer processor, a second set of inventory data from the fields on the second invoice using the template, where the second set of inventory data includes a quantity of a product purchased from the supplier, and where an inventory database of the second merchant is updated with the quantity of the product.

Abstract: A method to estimate a tax refund range. The method includes receiving, by a computer processor and from a user, a reduced portion of tax preparation input data prior to receiving a remainder portion of the tax preparation input data, calculating, by the computer processor and prior to receiving the remainder portion, a tax refund range estimate based on the reduced portion, presenting the tax refund range estimate to the user, and receiving, in response to presenting the tax refund range estimate to the user, the remainder portion for later use when preparing a tax filing for the user.

Abstract: A method to process credit card transactions, including obtaining available merchant account IDs allocated to a master merchant account at a credit card processor entity of a credit card transaction network, where the master merchant is authorized to set up merchant accounts based on the master merchant account and assumes merchant-side financial risks of the merchant accounts, receiving, after obtaining the available merchant account IDs, a request from a merchant to set up a merchant account, and assigning, in response to credit approval of the merchant, a merchant account ID selected from the available merchant account IDs to the merchant for setting up the merchant account, where a credit card transaction of the merchant is submitted, subsequent to assigning the merchant account ID, to the credit card processor entity for authorization based on the master merchant account, where the credit card transaction is tagged with the merchant account ID.

Abstract: Document processing utilizing extraneous highlight added to the document. Sections or fields of a document including data utilized for document processing are marked or highlighted for processing. For example, a paper or printed document may be manually highlighted by a highlighter pen, or the highlight may be computer generated. An image of the highlighted bill is acquired. Highlighted sections within the image are identified, and bill data within the highlighted fields is extracted and utilized for bill processing.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates interaction between an electronic device and a content provider. During operation, the system obtains a device profile containing a set of properties for the electronic device and a set of classification rules associated with the content provider. Next, the system identifies a device class of the electronic device based on the device profile and the classification rules. Finally, the system provides the device class to the content provider, wherein the content provider selects content to transmit to the electronic device based on the device class.

Abstract: A virtual asset testing environment is provided that is distinct from a production computing environment. A virtual asset creation template associated with a class of virtual assets to be verified is identified, each virtual asset of the class of virtual assets being created using the virtual asset creation template. A designated test virtual asset is generated using the virtual asset creation template that is deployed in the virtual asset testing environment. The designated test virtual asset is then analyzed in the virtual asset testing environment to identify any vulnerabilities in the designated test virtual asset. If a vulnerability is identified in the designated test virtual asset, a remedy to the vulnerability is applied to the virtual asset creation template, and/or virtual assets created by the virtual asset creation template deployed in the production environment.

Abstract: A virtual asset creation template associated with a class of virtual assets is identified and analyzed to identify any vulnerabilities in the virtual asset creation template. If one or more vulnerabilities are identified in the virtual asset creation template, an appropriate remedy for each identified vulnerability identified in the virtual asset creation template is applied. If no vulnerability is identified in the virtual asset creation template, or once each vulnerability identified in the virtual asset creation template is remedied, each virtual asset of the virtual asset class generated using the virtual asset creation template is assigned an initial status of verified virtual asset.