Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring information in synchronizing a server and a handheld device are disclosed. The information is binary information that is then compressed using a suitable compression algorithm. The compressed binary data is then text encoded using a suitable text encoding algorithm. The text encoded information is then encoded according to a protocol associated with the connection between the server and the handheld device. For example, the server can perform the compression and encoding operations on database data to be downloaded to the handheld device to reduce the time needed to transfer the information between the server and the handheld device.

Abstract: A method and system for using integration objects with enterprise business applications is disclosed. A method comprises importing external objects having a first format for a first enterprise application into a second enterprise application; using integration objects to transform the first format external objects into second format external objects formatted for the second enterprise application; and using the second format external objects in the second business application.

Abstract: A method and system that enables data to be shared across application systems via a table substitution scheme. Tables are identified in the legacy application system that are candidates for substitution of tables in the core application system containing similar data. Table structure meta data corresponding to these “substituted” tables are then extracted from the legacy system schema, and stored in a repository. In accordance with the meta data, business logic is defined to remap columns in the core tables to corresponding columns in the substituted tables. Accordingly, when the core application system performs data access (e.g., reads, inserts, updates, etc.), it accesses the remapped columns in the substituted tables instead of original columns in the core tables. At the same time, the legacy application system is enabled to concurrently access the substituted tables without require any changes to the business logic of the legacy application system.

Abstract: An end-to-end process modeler comprising a vertically integrated process modeler to provide a design aspect for a non-technical user and an implementation aspect for a technical user, the vertically integrated process modeler designed to create a complete executable process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating slide presentations enable a user (e.g., a sales professional) to generate presentations tailored to a specific presentation target (e.g., a potential customer) with the click of a button. An exemplary method includes: collecting information relating to a number of presentation targets; creating a number of presentation definition templates, each presentation definition template including a number of slide descriptions, certain of the slide descriptions including information placeholders; and generating a slide presentation for the particular presentation target in accordance with the slide descriptions of a selected one of the presentation definition templates, wherein collected information relating to the particular presentation target is substituted for the information place holders in the slide descriptions of the selected one of the presentation definition templates.

Abstract: A method and system to dynamically associate a workstation with a teleset. Data related to the call are transferred to the workstation during the call. Forming the dynamic association between the workstation and the teleset can include determining a hostname for the workstation, searching for the hostname in configuration data, and, if the hostname is found, dynamically associating the workstation with a teleset associated with the hostname. A server can be notified to transfer data associated with a call on the teleset to the workstation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enabling the dynamic generation of user interface components. The dynamically-generated user interface components are based on templates and mappings that can be predefined through interaction with a user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for quickly and easily configuring an application user interface using a flexible generic layout file. For one embodiment, a free-form grid layout is provided that allows an application provider to create a desired number of placeholders, each of a desired size, by positioning objects at desired locations on the free-form grid. In this way the application provider configures the application user interface. For one embodiment, the placeholders are created by dragging selected objects, from a provided set of objects, onto the grid layout. For such an embodiment, a set of parameters that describe the objects on the grid layout (e.g., indicating number, size, and location) is stored to a database. At run-time, the parameters are used to dynamically generate HTML code, which when executed presents the application user interface.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which a search request containing search criteria is received from a first user. The search criteria include at least one search category. Filter search specification associated with the at least one search category is determined. The filter search specification is used to specify a particular type of records in the at least one search criteria to be selected for the search request. A search is performed based upon the filter search specification and the search criteria to identify records that match filter search specification and the search criteria.

Abstract: A method of and system for collecting, storing, and retrieving data in a data base management system. The database management system includes a master database server (4), at least one workgroup server (315), and a plurality of workgroup user clients (310). The workgroup server (315) is interposed between the master database server (4) and said workgroup user clients (310). The method creating a transaction in a local database resident on one of the workgroup user clients (310), entering the transaction into a transaction log resident on the workgroup user client (310), and creating a transaction file corresponding to the transaction in an outbox of said workgroup user client (310). Next, the transaction file is copied to an inbox identified to the workgroup user client (310) and updating the transaction file into a workgroup database (305) resident on the workgroup server (315). The workgroup database (305) includes a transaction log.

Abstract: Flexible and extensible combination user interfaces are described. Combination user interfaces combine task-based and deductive user interfaces in such a manner that complex user interactions can be facilitated using a more meaningful and intuitive user interface than would have been possible using task-based or deductive user interfaces exclusively. The described combination user interfaces are flexible and extensible. They are flexible in that users can work on multiple tasks or switch between tasks without first needing to complete another task. They are extensible in that they can be extended to add, modify, or remove tasks or portions of tasks. User interfaces can be extended by manipulating metadata associated with the user interfaces. The combination user interface can be combined with an Inbox concept to facilitate saving and assigning tasks. The Inbox represents a work queue for a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided in which search indices are configured on a server. The search indices are associated with corresponding business components. The search indices are displayed to a client that is connected to the server via a computer network. The client is configured to perform search using data records stored on a local machine. One or more particular search indices from the server are downloaded onto the client in response to the client's request to download the one or more particular search indices to be used for searching on the local machine.

Abstract: A facility for specifying the distribution of products and generating product distribution lists. The facility receives account definitions, which may include information specifying account hierarchies. One or more product categories may be associated with each account. A distribution code may also be associated with the account's category assignment. The facility may identify or more products associated with the account, and a product distribution code may be associated with each product in the category. Based on the distribution level for each category and the product distribution codes for each product in the category, the facility may identify products for a product distribution list associated with an account.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for implementing caching of view custom options in a framework to support web-based applications. The system comprising a set of server-side objects managed by an object manager (OM) running on a server. The system further comprises a set of browser-side objects running on a browser running on a client. The system also comprises a remote procedure call (RPC) mechanism to enable re-targeting of methods from browser-side objects to server-side objects. The system additionally comprises a notification mechanism to facilitate transmission of notifications from server-side objects to browser-side objects. The system also comprises a cache on the client to store custom options of views, wherein each view is a display panel consisting of a particular arrangement of applets.

Abstract: A software development method and system having a suite of graphical customization tools that enables developers to rapidly configure all aspects of the underlying application software, including the look-and-feel, behavior, and workflow. This is accomplished without modifying application source code, base objects, or SQL. The sophisticated repository management capabilities of the method and system of our invention allows teams of developers to work efficiently on configuring applications. The application upgrader provides an automated process to upgrade the customizations to future product releases thus protecting the investment in customization. The ease, comprehensiveness, scalability, and upgradeability of the customization process help reduce the total lifecycle cost of customizing enterprise applications.

Abstract: A system for providing access to data via a voice interface. In one embodiment, the system includes a voice recognition unit and a speech processing server that work together to enable users to interact with the system using voice commands guided by navigation context sensitive voice prompts, and provide user-requested data in a verbalized format back to the users. Digitized voice waveform data are processed to determine the voice commands of the user. The system also uses a “grammar” that enables users to retrieve data using intuitive natural language speech queries. In response to such a query, a corresponding data query is generated by the system to retrieve one or more data sets corresponding to the query. The user is then enabled to browse the data that are returned through voice command navigation, wherein the system “reads” the data back to the user using text-to-speech (TTS) conversion and system prompts.

Abstract: A facility for preparing content for display is described. The facility includes a publishing subsystem that, when applied to content, publishes the content. The facility further includes a rendering subsystem that is distinct from the publishing subsystem and that, when applied to content, renders the content.

Abstract: A flowchart-based tool can be used to build a logical structure. In the context of a customer relationship management (CRM) system, the logical structure can comprise an ordered set of questions and branching logic that are presented to a customer of the business when the customer contacts the business with an inquiry, such as for a sale or service inquiry or other interaction. An engine can run a session associated with the logical structure, with the session presenting questions, text, graphics, and the like dynamically to customer across a network, such as the Internet and a web site. Branching logic determines the appropriate information to present to the user based on answers to previous questions. The engine allows presentation of the information to the user/customer, by generating hypertext markup language (HTML) files to display the questions or other elements of the logical structure as part of a user interface on a client terminal of the customer.

Abstract: Method and System to update grammar information in a voice access system that provides access to a data system. A user interface (UI) is provided to enable an administrator to select UI object pertaining to a user interface provided by the data system to provide grammar update support for. The data system user interface corresponds to a UI that users would see if using computer client connection to the data system. XSLT style sheets are built based on the UI objects that are selected for grammar update. A grammar update request may then submitted that identifies a navigation context of the data system UI, a style sheet to apply, and an optional last update value. In response to receiving the request, the system retrieves data from the data system pertaining to the navigation context; and filters the data using the identified style sheet and the last update value and provides the filtered data back to the voice access system to update its grammar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enabling the dynamic generation of user interface components. The dynamically-generated user interface components are based on templates and mappings that can be predefined through interaction with a user interface.