Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for using competency-related information for individuals to provide a variety of benefits is described. In some situations, individuals may propose self-assessments of competencies that they believe that they possess, such as specified skill levels of specified skills. Various techniques to independently approve proposed self-assessed competencies can be provided, such as by defining groups of appropriate reviewers (e.g., supervisors, peers and/or subordinates) for self-assessed competencies and by automatically retrieving and processing validation information from such reviewers upon receipt of a competency self-assessment in order to determine whether to approve the self-assessed competency.

Abstract: A method to convert data between a relational format and an XML document, by creating a set of XML Mapping Definition from metadata; selecting relational data from a relational application database, and converting the relational data to the XML document using the set of XML Mapping Definition.

Abstract: A software estimator tool implements an estimation process. The tool implements a bottom-up estimation process and a top-down estimation process. The bottom-up estimation process calculates an cumulative estimated level of effort for selected stages during the implementation of a custom software product, the custom software product being comprised of pre-written generic software modules. The top-down estimation process uses the cumulative estimated level of effort to estimate a schedule and calculate estimated billable revenue for the implementation project.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a triangulated forecast comprises receiving a sales forecasts from at least three sources, and triangulating the sales forecasts to obtain a triangulated forecast. The method further comprises presenting the resulting triangulated forecast.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention describes a method and system for using related data from external systems employing incompatible character sets to affect a business process. For one embodiment, a first external system uses a first character set. A first data set is received from the first external system, the first data set using the first character set. A second external system uses a second character set. A second data set is received from the second external system, the second data set using the second character set. The first data set and the second data set are converted to use a third character set, the third character set a superset of the first character set and the second character set. The first data set and the second data set, as converted and integrated, are then used to effect one or more business processes. For one embodiment, the third character set is Unicode.

Abstract: A configurator using structure and rules to provide a user interface. According to one embodiment of the invention, a customizable product class is created. The customizable product class includes a set of one or more attributes to define the customizable product class. A component product class is added to the customizable product class, where the component product class is a subclass of the customizable product. A customizable class rule is associated to the customizable product class, the customizable class rule including expressions which provide conditions on component products added to the customizable product. A customizable UI is mapped to the customizable product class, where the customizable UI provides access structure to the configurator.

Abstract: Techniques to facilitate assignment and scheduling of activities. In accordance with a method, a chart showing a calendar of schedule for a number of available resources is provided in a first frame (or window) in a user interface menu, and a number of objects representative of a number of unplanned activities are provided in a second frame. A selection for an unplanned activity in the second frame (or a planned activity in the first frame) is received and, in response, selected ones of a number of objects in the chart are highlighted based on the selected activity. A request to assign the selected activity to a selected resource and to schedule the selected activity for a particular time duration is thereafter received. The requested assignment and scheduling may be accepted or rejected based on the requirements of the selected activity and the capabilities of the selected resource.

Abstract: A method, system, computer system, and computer program product provide a context-sensitive user interface. The context in which the user interface operates is used to predict a media type of a communication channel that can be used for communicating via the user interface. Examples of media types include telephone, web chat, and web collaboration. The communication is facilitated according to the media type predicted. For example, an object of the user interface can be activated to enable communication according to the media type, or the user interface can initiate the communication via the communication channel. The user interface can be used for communicating with multiple communication channels of different media types. The context can include data presented by the user interface, data entered using the user interface, data selected using the user interface, and an action performed using the user interface.

Abstract: Techniques to performing sub-configuration of components of an entity. In one method, the entity is configured via a parent model and each sub-configurable component is configured via one of a number of sub-models. Initially a selection to configure a particular sub-configurable component of the entity is received, and a sub-model for the selected component is identified. One or more values for one or more features of the selected component are received (e.g., from the parent model or via the sub-model) and form a configuration for the component, which is then validated based on the associated sub-model and the received values. Configuration of the entity is also validated based on the parent model and the validated configuration for the selected component. Feedbacks may be provided for each configuration of the parent model and sub-models. The data for the parent model and sub-models may be localized or globalized.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of changing information in a first database and a second database. The method includes receiving new information. The method also includes receiving a first record from the first database, the first record corresponding to the new information. The method further includes receiving a second record from the second database, the second record corresponding to the new information. The method also includes merging the new information, the first record, and the second record into a final record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform a software migration. According to one embodiment of the invention, end-user specific platform information is collected to be used by a set of one or more migration scripts to perform the software migration. The migration scripts are to be executed on an end-user server and generate log files to be used to restart the software migration if an error occurs during the software migration.

Abstract: A data adapter including method and apparatus is presented. In one embodiment, the data adapter is a method. The method includes finding a set of records of a relational database matching an object instance of an object type. The method further includes updating the set of records of the relational database based on a first set of instances of components of the object instance, the instances of components of the first set corresponding to the records of the set of records. The method further includes inserting new records in the relational database corresponding to a second set of instances of components of the object instance, the instances of components of the second set not matching records of the set of records. The method also includes recursively repeating the finding, updating and inserting with respect to child components of the components.

Abstract: A method and system for revising installation software is disclosed. The method includes causing an installation program to configure at least a portion of the installation program using an update. An example of a system of the present invention is an installation architecture. Such an installation architecture includes an installation program. The installation program is configured to update at least a portion of the installation program.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of dispatching information within a system. The method includes receiving a message. The method also includes extracting address information from the message. The method further includes determining a destination from the address information. The method also includes routing the message to the destination.

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 a user interface. Branching logic determines the appropriate information to present to the user interface based on answers to previous questions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for software development in which the development of a base product proceeds concurrently with the internationalization and localization of the base product to produce multiple language versions of the product for polylingual simultaneous shipment to customers wherein one or more of the multiple languages can be uploaded by the customer in a single installation process.

Abstract: A system that enables users to generate and manage forecasts through an integrated software tool. Forecast administrators are enabled to create forecast series data that define a forecast's structure and provide search criteria that is used in generating forecasts. These data also define who may participate in creating forecasts, and their relative position in an organization's hierarchy. Users are also enabled to enter a variety of forecast data that are stored by the system. Various forecast data are then retrieved corresponding to the user, applicable subordinates, and parameters defined by the forecast series. Users may then fine-tune their forecasts and submit their forecasts to their managers. The managers are enabled to adjust and roll up their subordinate's forecasts to produce their own forecasts. This process may be recursively applied while moving up through various layers of management defined by the organization's hierarchy.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing a main database of a server and a local database of a handheld device. A user can use an application residing in the handheld device to make transactions in the local database. During a synchronization operation, the handheld device and server are coupled. The system then determines whether the application should be updated and, if so, causes the server to provide an update. The system also causes the handheld device to provide to the server information related to the transactions made by the user to the local database. The system causes the server to perform transactions on the main database based on the transaction information. The system also causes the server to extract data from the main database. The server can then provide at least some of the extracted data to the handheld device to update the local database.

Abstract: A complex order processing system is implemented in an architecture that allows customer service representatives and customers to access the customer's accounts, service profiles, quotes, and orders. Account information can be entered and updated. Quotes can be generated for various configurations of products and services having different types of charges including one time fees, recurring fixed fees, and usage-based fees. The quotes can be saved, and later updated by the customer or by the system to reflect changes in the configuration of a product or service that is included in the quote. The quote can be converted to an order, and pending orders can be modified. Before allowing modification of a quote or order, the requested future state of a product or service is created by applying the prior active and unprocessed orders to the product or service. The portion of the product or service currently selected is also applied to the product or service, and the user can then reconfigure the product or service.

Abstract: In a system and method for enabling electronic bill presentment and payment and account and billing distribution, one or more intermediaries are provided to coordinate and control account and billing information transfer among multiple supplying entities and multiple recipient entities including billing portals and consolidators. The distributor provides software to the suppliers and recipients including billing portals that includes a user interface to a billable entity associated with a billing portal. The user interface presents account and billing information to the billable entity and enables payment of bills in response to receiving instructions from the billable entity. Billing information can include the combination of summary billing information and detailed billing contact information. The distributor also provides software to billing entities to expedite the gathering of billing information from the billing entities.