Abstract: The inventive subject matter herein is directed toward improved scheduling and planning system that detects a problematic event in a workflow. When the event is detected, the system automatically notifies a set of contacts from a hierarchical contact list. The system then automatically notifies other sets of contacts depending upon the response from the first set of contacts. A cascade of different types of notifications could be triggered from a single detected event as each contact responds and provides information that could be used to trigger additional notifications.

Abstract: In a method for handling a plurality of heuristics for task selection in a genetic algorithm, a task scheduling engine generates a population of tasks associated with an overall objective, identifies multiple jobs associated with an overall objective, compiles the multiple jobs into a genome, and assigns one or more tasks to each job of the multiple jobs. The task scheduling engine also assigns a task heuristic byte defining multiple task heuristics that can be applied to the each job of the genome, randomly assigns a task heuristic from the multiple task heuristics to the each job, and determines a value score for the genome.

Abstract: A device management system contemplates scheduling connected devices and personnel for tasks, monitoring the ability of the devices to perform the scheduled task by checking in with the devices based on their uses and locations, and to modify the functioning of the devices according to the tasks scheduled for the devices and their uses. Additionally, the system can incorporate uncommunicated “dumb” devices into the scheduling of tasks and track and manage those devices.

Abstract: In a method for applying deterministic logic to select resources for resource genomes in a genetic algorithm, a logic engine identifies resources associated with an objective and an overall task population to be completed by one or more of the identified resources. The logic engine then selects a deterministic logical framework from one or more deterministic logical frameworks based on the objective. Following the selection of a deterministic logical framework, the logic engine selects one or more resources from the one or more identified resources based on the selected deterministic logical framework. The logic engine compiles the one or more selected resources into a resource genome, assigns one or more tasks from the task population to the one or more selected resources, and sends instructions to the one or more selected resources to execute the one or more tasks. The logic engine determines a value score for the resource genome.

Abstract: Methods of providing services to individual and methods of manufacturing items are described. Data structures to represent priority values for those individuals or items are also described. By ascribing priority values to a set of items, those items can be grouped based on those priority values. Once grouped based on priority values, the items within each group can be manufactured according to group priority as well as according to the characteristics of each item to be manufactured within that group. The same concept applies to providing services to individuals.

Abstract: Methods of providing services to individual and methods of manufacturing items are described. Data structures to represent priority values for those individuals or items are also described. By ascribing priority values to a set of items, those items can be grouped based on those priority values. Once grouped based on priority values, the items within each group can be manufactured according to group priority as well as according to the characteristics of each item to be manufactured within that group. The same concept applies to providing services to individuals.

Abstract: Methods of providing services to individual and methods of manufacturing items are described. Data structures to represent priority values for those individuals or items are also described. By ascribing priority values to a set of items, those items can be grouped based on those priority values. Once grouped based on priority values, the items within each group can be manufactured according to group priority as well as according to the characteristics of each item to be manufactured within that group. The same concept applies to providing services to individuals.

Abstract: A device management system that is capable of scheduling connected devices and personnel for tasks, monitoring the ability of the devices to perform the scheduled task by checking in with the devices based on their uses and locations, and to modify the functioning of the devices according to the tasks scheduled for the devices and their uses. Additionally, the system can incorporate uncommunicated “dumb” devices into the scheduling of tasks and track and manage those devices.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter herein is directed toward an improved scheduling and planning system in which a workflow scheduling system automatically detects a problematic workflow event. The system then selects a primary human contact and a secondary human contact from a hierarchical selection list and automatically attempts to notify the primary human contact by escalating through the primary human contact's contact methods. When the primary human contact fails to respond within a threshold of time, the system automatically attempts to notify the secondary human contact by escalating through the secondary human contact's contact methods.

Abstract: Demand data is used to modify a previously established cycle for use of a resource, at least in part by bypassing (skipping over) one, two, or perhaps three or more of the steps in the cycle. When done appropriately, the inventive subject matter can improve at least one measure of efficiency. The inventive subject matter has particular applicability to Kanban type schedules. The inventive subject matter also has particular applicability to manufacturing, although it can be used with respect to physical or non-physical products, including services.

Abstract: A task-centered scheduling system is disclosed, whereupon a manager could schedule a task with a number of attributes for resources (such as persons, types of rooms, tools, machinery, ingredients, etc.). The system then matches resources with the task so that the task could be completed. For example, if a manager schedules a task for a person with cleaning skills to clean a dirty room with a mop and a bucket with soap, the scheduler will find an available person with cleaning skills, allocate the mop and bucket to that available person, and send that available person to the dirty room to clean it. The system keeps track of the resources in order to know what resources are available for allocating to a task, and different tasks may have different priorities which could cause lower priority tasks to be rescheduled in favor of higher priority tasks.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter herein is directed toward improved scheduling and planning system in which computer implemented software uses a hierarchical selection list to select at least one of a plurality of unconnected users and contact the selected user(s) as a function of an event. Another aspect of the inventive subject matter includes an improved decision and/or scheduling system that has soft fields for describing resources. Further aspects utilize a hierarchical soft field configuration.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter herein is directed toward improved scheduling and planning system (200) in which computer implemented software uses a hierarchical selection list to select at least one of a plurality of unconnected users and contact the selected user(s) as a function of an event (110). Another aspect of the inventive subject matter includes an improved decision and/or scheduling system (100) that has soft fields for describing resources. Further aspects utilize a hierarchical soft field configuration.