Abstract: A method of predicting expected performance of a processing center system is provided. The method includes receiving performance information from a performance monitoring system associated with the processing center system. A computer model of the processing center system is developed based on the performance information. The method further includes generating predictions based on the computer model, and analyzing the predictions to generate performance scenarios for the processing center system.

Abstract: A plurality of questions are displayed. Responses to the plurality of questions are received, wherein a response to a question included in the plurality of questions includes an indication of a likelihood of occurrence of an answer to the question. A value for a quality measure is determined, based on the responses to the plurality of questions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for forecasting demand for objects, such as products, parts, etc. in a managed supply chain. In one embodiment, a method for forecasting demand is provided that comprises the step of determining a forecast profile including a forecast model and a forecast parameter to be assigned to a set of data forming the basis of the forecast. The determining step may include the steps of performing at least one forecast test on the set of data to identify the significance of a forecast model in the set of data, and determining iteratively the value of a forecast parameter, wherein the forecast parameter is determined based on the outcome of performing the at least one forecasting test. Further, the method may include the step of automatically assigning the determined forecast profile to the set of data.

Abstract: A method for reporting one or more results that occur based on a price change includes receiving price planning input including at least one price change from at least one of an automated pricing engine and a manual pricing engine. The method further includes generating at least one result that will occur based on the price planning input and reporting the at least one result along with the at least one price change.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for optimizing allocation of resources across stories for a release within an Agile development environment. The method includes receiving (i) resource information representing a plurality of resources available for allocation to the stories, (ii) one or more story definitions, each story definition comprising a unique identifier and one or more story-level constraints corresponding to a story, (iii) release information, (iv) iteration information, and (iv) one or more optimization criteria. The method also includes generating a plurality of story-level allocation scenarios and determining one or more optimized story-level allocation scenarios from the plurality of story-level allocation scenarios. Each story-level allocation scenario satisfies the one or more story-level constraints associated with each story definition.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments describe an automatic, adaptive system and method for efficiently and effectively scheduling advertising spots in commercial break locations across various networks, zones, channels, dates, times, and specific products, for example. The disclosed embodiments make use of fixed and relative factors, that may be user-defined, which assign a “cost” to one or more particular breaks which thereby allow for quick and accurate scheduling of spots. The “costs” may represent a value, or desirability, of a break for the advertiser and may be a function of both the fixed and relative factors. The fixed and relative factors may be configurable and may change for different advertising clients, different contract lines, different networks, different spot placement, etc. The placement of spots may be accomplished through the use of an ordered list which may be generated based on a number of inputs that may be user-selected.

Abstract: A project management system manages project schedule data using separate current and historical task schedule data structures. In general, current schedule data is stored separately from historical schedule data, so that the current schedule data may be retrieved separately from the historical task schedule data. The project management system may also maintain unscheduled tasks as “to-do lists.” Tasks may be added to a member's schedule without specifying any planned dates and the tasks are added to the database. The tasks have an associated revision number of 0 to indicate that the tasks were added, but not yet scheduled. The tasks are displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules. The tasks may then be displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules in a manner that allows a user to readily determine that the tasks are “to-do list” tasks.

Abstract: A method for resource management and planning includes receiving manufacturing information associated with multiple distributed enterprise facilities; generating manufacturing plans based at least in part on the manufacturing information; receiving feedback regarding execution of the manufacturing plans; identifying at least one of the manufacturing plans describing manufacturing activities planned to occur within a fixed time period in the future; modifying the identified manufacturing plan based on the feedback; and communicating the modified manufacturing plan to the distributed enterprise facilities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a process for managing information technology (IT) infrastructure of an enterprise includes: (1) capturing and storing IT infrastructure information regarding the IT infrastructure of the enterprise; (2) defining a plurality of roles within the enterprise, each role specifying a particular job function within the enterprise; (3) associating items of IT infrastructure with roles within the enterprise such that each role is associated with one or more predetermined items of IT infrastructure; (4) assigning roles to one or more employees of the enterprise such that each of the one or more employees is associated with one or more roles and is assigned the one or more predetermined items of IT infrastructure associated with each of these one or more roles; (5) automatically modeling a change in the IT infrastructure for one or more impacted employees; and (6) automatically initiating deployment of one or more IT infrastructure assets for the one or more impacted employees by organizing delivery

Abstract: A method of sharing a calendar between a plurality of users, the calendar being capable of holding one or more events. The method comprises providing the calendar to each of said plurality of users; allowing any of said plurality of users to add to the calendar any of a new event, a change to an event and a message relating to an event; and providing any new event, change to an event or message added by a user to the other users. A change to an event may comprise a change to at least one of a start time of the event, an end time of the event, a description of the event, a status of the event, whether the event is to be repeated and the persons attending the event.

Abstract: A validation matrix computation system automatically computes a validation matrix to analyze performance and efficiency of a global logistics process. The present system comprises identifying metrics and automatically computing the metrics to derive a validation matrix from the metrics. The system comprises a metric capture module installed at all participant locations in the global logistics process. The metric capture module captures, from logs generated at a node, metrics that measure performance at the node. The system generates the validation matrix from the captured metrics and uses the validation matrix to evaluate performance. The metrics comprise quantitative and qualitative metrics; quantitative metrics are automatically computed by correlating logs generated at the nodes and qualitative metrics are computed using surveys completed by participants in the global logistics process.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for monitoring service tickets for information technology (IT) service providers to ensure that levels of service regarding resolving problems identified by a customer are met is provided. In one embodiment, a monitoring server inspects a service ticket in a database to determine a deadline for when a problem associated with the service ticket must be resolved. The server then determines a deadline approaching alert time. This deadline approaching alert time is a time at which a help desk user must be notified that the deadline for resolving the problem must be met is approaching. The server then alerts the help desk user that the deadline for resolving the problem is approaching when the deadline approaching alert time is reached.

Abstract: The invention provides a user with substantial flexibility in requesting and generating analysis projects on transaction and/or consumer data that is stored in one or more databases. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method for retailers and other authorized users, such as suppliers, to access and perform sophisticated, highly specialized analysis on transaction and/or consumer data, such as retail sales and consumer data, from a remote location using an internet connected computer. The transaction and/or consumer data that is accessed can be a compilation of retail transaction data (collected from EPOS systems, for example) and/or consumer data (which has been collected from frequent-shopper or loyalty cards used by consumers when they shop, for example). Projects are generated as spreadsheet based interactive reports, which are easy to manipulate for further analysis and presentations.

Abstract: A system manages mobile workers and includes a plurality of clients and a server. A database includes a plurality of target objects that are classified corresponding to facilities assets to be worked on by a mobile worker and attributes of each target object, including any tasks to be performed on target objects. A rule engine maps from a problem space for partitioned jobs and mobile workers to a solution to schedule jobs and mobile workers in selected different regions. The rule engine is operative to control the scheduling algorithm using heuristics comprising at least one of a tabu search, iterated local search, guided local search, and variable neighborhood search to focus a search space to regions for moving the schedules of high utility.

Abstract: A system for managing information of a case relating to possible lack of compliance of enterprise transactions with one or more predetermined compliance policies of an enterprise. An exceptions database stores information corresponding to exceptions indicative of a violation of an enterprise compliance policy. An input receives exceptions from a rules engine that determines a violation of an enterprise compliance policy based on information stored in one or more enterprise systems; the exceptions are stored in the exceptions database. A user interface is provided for assigning a case number to at least one exception, assigning an owner to the exceptions, collecting additional information relating to a case, and other functions. The system further provides a display of information relating to the exception, the entities involved in the exception, and the case to a user.

Abstract: Techniques for statistically estimating a rating or other “figure of merit” for a user are disclosed. According to one such technique, a first quantity of submissions that were submitted by a user is determined. A second quantity of submissions that (a) were submitted by the user and (b) obtained a particular rating from a rating mechanism also is determined. A user rating for the user is determined based at least in part on the first quantity, the second quantity, and a factor that is independent of both the first quantity and the second quantity—such as the probability that an answer submitted by any answerer in a population will obtain the particular rating from the rating mechanism. The influence that the second quantity has on the user rating relative to the influence that the factor has on the user rating may depend at least in part on the first quantity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to presence of individuals within commercial establishments, relating to usage of publications by those individuals, and relating to exposure to products by those individuals. Participants in one or more studies carry a portable monitor having a commercial establishment presence detection monitor, a publication usage monitor, and/or a product exposure monitor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for on-demand repair planning includes modeling for a repair location: a good parts buffer; a first buffer for unserviceable parts determined to be serviceable without repair; and a second buffer for unserviceable parts determined to be repairable. A forecasted demand, for a specified quantity of serviceable parts, is accessed. Parts available in the first buffer to help satisfy the forecasted demand is estimated. If a part is available, an operation plan is generated for a use-as-is operation. If the forecasted demand is not fully satisfied, a quantity of parts available in the second buffer to help satisfy the forecasted demand is estimated and, if one or more parts are available: the latest time at which a repair operation can begin is estimated; a repair order is planned; and an operation plan is generated for the repair operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distribution-transition estimation of key performance indicator (KPI).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for accurately and anonymously profiling Web users and for selectively delivering content such as advertisements to users based on their profiles. The system uses behavioral information preferably collected at the users' point of connection to the Internet to anonymously profile their interests and demographics. It accurately matches and delivers content to the users to which they will likely be most receptive. Advertisers can use the system to launch effective advertising campaigns delivering selected Web content to chosen target audiences. The system uses feedback from users to determine the effectiveness of an advertising campaign and allows dynamic modification of the advertising campaign by, e.g., altering the target audience, to optimize results.