Abstract: A method for grouping hotels for a travel entity may include identifying a plurality of hotels stayed at in the past by members of a travel entity, identifying a subset of hotels having a particular significance to the travel entity, each hotel being associated with a position indicator, clustering hotels in the subset of hotels using a clustering algorithm, where the position indicator for each hotel serves as the basis for calculating a geographical similarity measure for the clustering algorithm, identifying hotels not used by the travel entity but that are within the boundaries of the clusters, and optionally displaying a visual depiction of a cluster of hotels.

Abstract: A airline travel supplier evaluation tool is provided which will allow companies to efficiently evaluate the value of preferred airline supplier scenarios and improve their negotiating position vis-à-vis their airline suppliers. The user of the software tool may choose which, if any, preferred supplier set is best given the user's preferences for such criteria including but not limited to saving money and/or saving travel time.

Abstract: The invention is directed at systems and methods which allow a user to quantify non-price characteristics of one or more airfares. The invention provides an indicator, such as an index value (or score or rating), associated with specific airfares and average airfare costs so that one can more quickly assess the non-price characteristics of one or more fares. Such an index values are useful to travelers, travel managers and analysts, and by publishers of airfares, such as GDS's (e.g., Sabre), travel agencies (e.g., American Express), internet-based travel booking sites (e.g., Orbitz) and others to supplement the buyer's ability to compare fares before making a purchase decision.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assigning, delivering, and monitoring tasks are discussed that allow the supervisor to view a task type on which a agent below the supervisor in the hierarchy is working, the amount of time that the agent is taking to complete that task, and the target amount of time that are spent to complete such a task. The supervisor can also define the types of tasks that a particular agent can receive and be assigned. This mechanism would allow the supervisor to dynamically manage resources, enabling the supervisor to assign additional resources to short-term anomalies efficiently. In other words, the system allows supervisors to assign tasks to their agent based on agents known skill sets and the skills required to complete the task.

Abstract: A method for comparing average travel costs in intersected markets is disclosed and comprises a method for measuring and comparing average costs incurred by buyers of travel, where the average cost of a specified supplier is derived from multiple markets, and the average cost from other suppliers is derived from the other suppliers' costs in the same markets as those used to derive the specified supplier's average costs.

Abstract: An exerciser for simultaneously strengthening the finger, hand, wrist and forearm, comprising a head section connected to a handle section. The head section has enclosed within its rigid perimeter edge a solid flexible material which, when the exerciser is in use, generates air resistance to twisting and turning movements of the wrist and the forearm. The handle section comprises two moving components positioned in facing opposition to each other on opposites sides of a shaft which is connected to the head section. The moving components are connected to each other and to the shaft by springs which cause the moving components to be spaced apart from the shaft. In use, the handle provides gripping resistance to the fingers and hand of the user. An elastic sleeve surrounds the handle assembly to prevent pinching of the user's hand.

Abstract: A matrix of discrete spaced electrical components (which may be individual components or networks, for example) in fixed array on a substrate wafer, each component being connected to terminal conductor pads on the opposite surface of the substrate by thick film conductor strips that extend along the walls of apertures in the wafer.

Abstract: A matrix of discrete spaced electrical components (which may be individual components or networks, for example) in fixed array on a substrate wafer, each component being connected to terminal conductor pads on the opposite surface of the substrate by thick film conductor strips that extend along the walls of apertures in the wafer.