Abstract: Multimedia contacts are forecasted, propagated, and managed for each period in a range. The number of contacts received in a period is forecasted using historical methods and is propagated to succeeding periods based on the business goals, such as how quickly a certain contact type is to be handled. After the contacts have been propagated, a total contacts to handle is determined for each period, and the staffing requirements are calculated therefrom.

Abstract: A method of managing a project including a hierarchy of tasks may include defining and storing tasks. Each of the tasks may include an associated status. A first dependency relationship may be defined between the tasks. Remote retrieval and updating of the status may be enabled. An Issue, a Change Request and/or a Change Order may be remotely defined. The Issue identifies a problem within an identified task whose resolution is to be tracked and is necessary for completion of the identified task, the Change Request identifies step(s) to be taken pending authorization to resolve the Issue and the Change Order identifies authorized step(s) to do so. Remote definition of second dependency relationship(s) may be enabled between the defined Issue, Change Request or Change Order and the identified task to integrate the defined Issue, Change Request or Change Order into the hierarchy without changing the defined first dependencies.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for performing a comparative analysis of vendors of network-related products or services. The present invention includes first determining a current network framework. Thereafter, a graphical depiction of the current network framework is displayed along with a plurality of components thereof. Next, a comparative analysis of at least two vendors of network-related products or services is presented. This is accomplished with indicia coding that highlights various aspects of the vendors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a model for assessing performance of a dynamic collaborative relationship. The present invention provides a method of modeling dynamic relationships by inputting data related to the collaborative relationship into a model, which comprises a plurality of components key to the collaborative relationship. Each of these components is interrelated with the model, and the model generates a value indicative of a condition or performance of the relationship. The relationship value can be analyzed by comparison with baseline values correlated to exemplary collaborative relationships. The present invention further provides methods of developing a model capable of assessing dynamic collaborative relationships.

Abstract: A survey assignment method uses a weighting factor to compensate for members which are temporarily removed from a panel. This weighting factor allows for non-proportionate samples to be made from the panel. Additionally, a non-proportionate selection weighting factor can also be used. By using these weighting factors, a relatively random selection of the members for survey can be done.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of using said data processing system for assessing and managing risk is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the method includes the steps of identifying a set of risk elements; determining an importance for each said risk element; identifying any subrisks associated with said risk elements; identifying one or more control procedures for each said subrisk element; assigning weights to each said control procedure; rating compliance with each said control procedure and calculating an overall weighed compliance score. The method may further include the steps of for each non-fully compliant subrisk, allowing the user to determine whether to accept the risk or generate an action plan addressing the risk. The method may further preferably include calculating future compliance scores based on said action plans. The system further provides for sorting and displaying compliance scores by a number of parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller for controlling a system, capable of presentation of a plurality of candidate propositions resulting in a response performance, in order to optimise an objective function of the system. The controller has a means for storing, according to candidate proposition, a representation of the response performance in actual use of respective propositions; means for assessing which candidate proposition is likely to result in the lowest expected regret after the next presentation on the basis of an understanding of the probability distribution of the response performance of all of the plurality of candidate propositions; where regret is a term used for the shortfall in response performance between always presenting a true best candidate proposition and using the candidate proposition actually presented.

Abstract: Historical information is stored about demand behavior associated with different sizes of styles of items of commerce. A size assortment recommendation is generated based on the stored historical information and on objectives with respect to purchase or allocation decisions about assortments of the different sizes.

Abstract: A scheduling system for choosing the most appropriate heuristic for solving time-dependant scheduling problems. The invention includes a means for selecting the most appropriate heuristic method for generating a schedule from an enumerative (“brute force”) method, a dynamic programming method, and a genetic method. The invention further includes a hashing function that is capable of detecting duplicate solutions generated by the dynamic programming module and a height-balanced binary tree for providing search insertion and deletion operations.

Abstract: A method for determining capacity utilization and predicting the future capacity utilization of a goods delivery system from a supplier to a buyer utilizing a system having at least one delivery agent, at least one store, at least one manufacturer, and a plurality of buyers, wherein the at least one delivery agent, at least one store, and the at least one manufacturer are coupled to a communications network. The method comprises the steps of searching for the available capacity in each one of a plurality of markets wherein each market has at least one delivery zone, calculating the capacity utilization by day for each zone, setting a flag which is indicative of over capacity or undercapacity, determining the probability that the next day will be over capacity based on historical data, and determining the trend-line of capacity utilization based on historical data.

Abstract: A method and system for utility resource aggregation and allocation is disclosed. User data on utility resource use for a plurality of utility users is collected. Utility resource demand is modeled for an aggregation of a subset of the plurality of utility users. The aggregation of utility users are dynamically matched with a utility source or aggregated utility source.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for developing an enterprise planning model in cascaded planning stages. For example, an enterprise planning system receives data that defines an enterprise planning session from a set of analysts in cascaded planning stages. The analysts associated with each subsequent planning stage refine the enterprise planning model defined by analysts associated with previous planning stages. In this manner, the set of analysts may define an enterprise planning model that may allow large, diverse organizations to establish planning standards across dozens or hundreds of business units, while allowing the business units to extend the planning standards to further refine the planning sessions.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of using said data processing system for assessing and managing risk is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the method includes the steps of identifying a set of risk elements; determining an importance for each said risk element; identifying any subrisks associated with said risk elements; identifying one ore more control procedures for each said subrisk element; assigning weights to each said control procedure; rating compliance with each said control procedure and calculating an overall weighed compliance score. The method may further include the steps of for each non-fully compliant subrisk, allowing the user to determine whether to accept the risk or generate an action plan addressing the risk. The method may further preferably include calculating future compliance scores based on said action plans. The system further provides for sorting and displaying compliance scores by a number of parameters.

Abstract: Predefined lists of selected variables are created and interrelated to produce incident reports. The lists are created and modified through the use of formatted computer screens or input forms, and the reports are produced through the use of formatted computer outputs or output formats. The lists include accident-related information such as industry types, occupations, safety teams, attendance codes, types of injuries, body parts affected, types of incidents, site conditions, accident causes and safety reminders. The input forms often correspond directly to the types of lists, so that there is a form through which the list of industry types is created and/or modified, and another form through which the list of occupations is created. In addition, there are input forms that allow creation and/or modification of several lists at one time, particularly when each element in one list is directly associated with one element from another list.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling delivery and delivery of products to buyers. A Mobile Pickup Station (MPS) server is placed within a computer network and receives product shipping instructions from buyers or third party sellers. The MPS server determines optimal pickup points using buyer commuting information and buyer delivery requests. A MPS, carrying a buyer's products, is dispatched to an optimal pickup point chosen by the buyer. A MPS may be used to both deliver and receive products. In an alternative embodiment, a MPS server finds stores with buyer desired products along the buyer's commuting route.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-based system for managing projects. It allows the user to input data concerning a project and associate individuals with the project. The system then determines a deadline for completing a task associated with the project and send out reminders accordingly. The system provides the user a number of options not available on the conventional docketing systems, such as automatically increasing the frequency with which reminders are sent as the deadline approaches, and automatically increasing the number of individuals to whom the reminders are sent as the deadline draws near.

Abstract: A system and method for identification and notification of elevated over-the-counter medication sales is disclosed. Localized alerts of elevated sales of specified over-the-counter medications and graphical views of historical sales intensity by medication category are provided. Intervention instructions to manage responses to factors causing the elevation of sales are provided. The system analyzes sales volume from stores that sell the identified medications to determine if sales volume exceeds expected thresholds. Data from individual products are combined into meaningful categories for tracking, and alerts are sent to users of data anomalies and of intervention messages or tasks requiring attention. Users view a geographic area and define their own notification events and mode.

Abstract: Method and systems using models for evaluating marketing campaign data in the form of database scores, stored procedures, and OLAP multidimensional structures. Models are used to target segments for marketing. The models are mathematical algorithms that map customer and/or account attributes such as, a customer's propensity to attrite, default on payments, and expected profitability. The method includes the steps of evaluating models using OLAP structures based on campaign drivers, that can segment gains charts to discover where a model is under performing and evaluating models performance over time to discover user defined trends.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system to determine a market need before any monies are spent to produce and commercialize an artist. A method and system for determining the market demand for an artist comprising: receiving user input to determine which artist to select from a pool of artists; determining the market demand for said selected artist based on users contributing to a fund for said artist; and producing selected artists that attain a predefined level of user contributions.

Abstract: A product demand forecasting system includes a profile extractor that generates a demand profile of a new product yet to be introduced based on demand profiles of similar products already introduced. The profile extractor normalizes and averages the demand profiles of the similar products to obtain the demand profile of the new product. The forecasting system also includes a life-cycle demand predictor that generates a total life-cycle demand of the new product based on historical demand data of the similar products. A forecast creator is then coupled to the profile extractor and the demand predictor to generate a life-cycle demand forecast for the new product based on the demand profile and total life-cycle demand of the new product. A method of providing a life-cycle product demand forecast for a new product yet to be introduced is also described.