Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) based methods and systems for predicting opportunities for special pricing agreements (SPA) are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a user input indicating a stock keeping unit (SKU) and a customer name, and accessing an SPA database to determine (i) a customer type, (ii) a customer address, and (iii) any historical SPAs corresponding to the customer. The example method further includes predicting, by utilizing a machine learning (ML) model, a set of SPA opportunities that each have a respective cost and a respective confidence interval and that satisfy a confidence interval threshold. The example method further includes determining a first SPA opportunity corresponding to a highest respective confidence interval, and a second SPA opportunity corresponding to a lowest cost of each SPA opportunity in the set of SPA opportunities; and transmitting a notification of the first and second SPA opportunities for display to a user.

Abstract: A product management computer system that can include one or more processors, and a computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, which when executed by the processors, can cause the processors to: receive data representing a target product of interest to a user of the system, wherein the target product is described by a plurality of variable-value attributes associated; process the received data through a machine-learning-produced algorithm and generating data representing a first set of substitute product candidates for the target product and wherein each substitute product candidate has a corresponding match-score that represents a degree of determined similarity between that substitute product candidate and the target product; transform the generated data that represents the first set of substitute product candidates into data representing a refined set of substitute product candidates by processing the generated data utilizing a constraint-based algorithm; and output data representing

Abstract: A product management computer system that can include one or more processors, and a computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, which when executed by the processors, can cause the processors to: receive data representing a target product of interest to a user of the system, wherein the target product is described by a plurality of variable-value attributes associated; process the received data through a machine-learning-produced algorithm and generating data representing a first set of substitute product candidates for the target product and wherein each substitute product candidate has a corresponding match-score that represents a degree of determined similarity between that substitute product candidate and the target product; transform the generated data that represents the first set of substitute product candidates into data representing a refined set of substitute product candidates by processing the generated data utilizing a constraint-based algorithm; and output data representing

Abstract: A computer implemented method for identifying substitute products for a target product via a distributor's product management computer system, the method includes: receiving, at a distributor's product management computer system, data representing a target product of interest to a user of the system, wherein the target product is described by a plurality of variable-value attributes associated therewith; processing the received data through a machine-learning-produced algorithm and thereby generating data representing a first set of substitute product candidates for the target product and wherein each substitute product candidate has a corresponding match-score that represents a degree of determined similarity between that substitute product candidate and the target product; transforming the generated data that represents the first set of substitute product candidates into data representing a refined set of substitute product candidates by processing the generated data utilizing a constraint-based algorithm;

Abstract: A computer method for identifying product in a distributor's inventory system that fulfills a product request made via a natural language query. the natural language query is received as a product request including multiple words in sequential order. The words are vectorized into word-vectors that are concatenated and used to generate a query embedding. The query embedding is processed utilizing a trained product category classifier that predicts which product category the requested product belongs. Forward and backward sequence vectors are generated from the sequentially ordered words of the query that are concatenated and processed using a trained model specific to the predicted product category. The sequence vectors represent positional relationships between the words of the natural language query. Thereafter, the system identifies product attribute(s) embodied in the natural language query that each correspond to a predetermined key-characteristic of the category.

Abstract: A communications cable (11) is provided with a pliant sleeve (12, 21, 31) to allow it to be more easily inserted into a conduit. One form of the sleeve (12) has hook (14) and loop (15) connected to each other so that the sleeve (12) can engage the cable (11). Another form of the sleeve (21) is spring-loaded to engage the cable (11). In a third form of the sleeve (31) has an adhesive (33) which attaches the sleeve (31) to the cable (11).

Abstract: A communications cable (11) is provided with a pliant sleeve (12, 21, 31) to allow it to be more easily inserted into a conduit. One form of the sleeve (12) has hook (14) and loop (15) connected to each other so that the sleeve (12) can engage the cable (11). Another form of the sleeve (21) is spring-loaded to engage the cable (11). In a third form of the sleeve (31) has an adhesive (33) which attaches the sleeve (31) to the cable (11).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-compartment innerduct includes the steps of positioning a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced, strips of adhesive on a longitudinally extending sheet of fabric material, connecting adjacent of the strips together to form compartments, and attaching the compartments together.

Abstract: An apparatus (10 which is to be inserted into a longitudinally extending conduit includes at least one longitudinally extending compartment (11) formed by attached the ends of a sheet of material (12) together. Another sheet of material (15) has one end attached to the compartment (11) and has compatible fastening elements (16, 17) on its opposed ends. A cable (19) may be positioned adjacent to the sheet of material (15) and it is folded around the cable (19) to form an additional compartment (18). The apparatus (10) may then be inserted into a conduit.

Abstract: Space in a conduit having at least one cable therein which is surrounded by a duct is recovered by longitudinally cutting the duct and removing the duct from around the cable. The duct may be pulled out of the conduit and past a blade to affect the cutting, or a blade may be pulled through the conduit to cut the duct while still in the conduit.

Abstract: A fabric wrapped cable is formed by positioning adhesive on opposed layers of fabric. A cable is positioned between those layers and the layers are attached by attaching the adhesive of one layer to the adhesive of the other layer. In forming the wrapped cable in such a manner, the cable is provided with at least one wing.

Abstract: A rodder assembly to be moved through an underground conduit includes a tube adapted to receive fluid under pressure. In some embodiments the rodder assembly includes at least one rigid rod, and a nozzle is attached to the tube to discharge fluid from the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus to be introduced into a conduit includes a cable and a fabric sleeve which extends longitudinally along the cable. The sleeve is secured around the cable by complimentary connectors which extend outwardly from the edges of the sleeve. The connectors can take the form of many configurations including a hook and slot, a ball and socket, a hook and loop, and zipper teeth, among others.

Abstract: A communications cable (11) is provided with a pliant sleeve (12, 21, 31) to allow it to be more easily inserted into a conduit. One form of the sleeve (12) has hook (14) and loop (15) connected to each other so that the sleeve (12) can engage the cable (11). Another form of the sleeve (21) is spring-loaded to engage the cable (11). In a third form of the sleeve (31) has an adhesive (33) which attaches the sleeve (31) to the cable (11).

Abstract: Space in a conduit having at least one cable therein which is surrounded by a duct is recovered by longitudinally cutting the duct and removing the duct from around the cable. The duct may be pulled out of the conduit and past a blade to affect the cutting, or a blade may be pulled through the conduit to cut the duct while still in the conduit.

Abstract: A device to be inserted into a conduit includes at least one tube intended to receive optic fibers or micro fiber optic cables therein. A jacket surrounds the tube. In an embodiment where there are a plurality of tubes, they are loosely aligned within the jacket. In another embodiment, opposed surfaces of the jacket are attached to each other to form compartments for each tube. In still another embodiment, the jacket holds the tubes generally in a bundle. The jacket of a tube may also be attached to one or more innerducts, each of which can receive a fiber optic cable. Alternatively, an innerduct may be attached to two jackets each of which carry a tube therein.

Abstract: A communications cable (11) is provided with a pliant sleeve (12, 21, 31) to allow it to be more easily inserted into a conduit (50). One form of the sleeve (12) has hook (14) and loop (15) connected to each other so that the sleeve (12) can engage the cable (11). Another form of the sleeve (21) is spring-loaded to engage the cable (11). In a third form of the sleeve (31) has an adhesive (33) which attaches the sleeve (31) to the cable (11). Whatever form the sleeve cable takes, when in the conduit (50), the conduit (50) is divided for the ease of insertion of a second sleeved cable and it is not necessary to install a separate conduit divider into the conduit.

Abstract: A adapter security system adapted to be attached to a cable is taught. The adapter security system includes a wire, at least one adapter that is carried by the wire, and a clamping assembly that is adapted to attach the wire to the cable. The adapter security system provides a means of securing adapters at the location of a presentation while also providing convenient access for the user to the adapters.

Abstract: A adapter security system adapted to be attached to a cable is taught. The adapter security system includes a wire, at least one adapter that is carried by the wire, and a clamping assembly that is adapted to attach the wire to the cable. The adapter security system provides a means of securing adapters at the location of a presentation while also providing convenient access for the user to the adapters.

Abstract: Space in a conduit having at least one cable therein which is surrounded by a duct is recovered by longitudinally cutting the duct and removing the duct from around the cable. The duct may be pulled out of the conduit and past a blade to affect the cutting, or a blade may be pulled through the conduit to cut the duct while still in the conduit.