Abstract: An automated management system for managing data, outage repair, load switching, job workflow and crew dispatching, crew workflow, installation, maintenance and restoration of utility services by integrating geographic information systems (GIS) data with many other data sources so as to gather, transform, manipulate, analyze, and produce desired information for continuously supplying utility and relevant services. The data sources include customer information systems (CIS) and billing data, interactive voice recognition (IVR) call management data, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), mobile crew management (MCM) data, automatic meter reading (AMR) data, automated vehicle location (AVL) data, engineering analysis data supported by 3rd party software packages (such as load monitoring and balancing), etc. In particular, the system allows an on-site engineer to retrieve data (ex. field maps, work orders, codes) or enter, via a portable device, inspection data (ex.

Abstract: A computer implemented Availability Checking Tool wherein tool users work within a common work environment, from common enterprise data, and considering assets and demands across multiple order management systems and manufacturing facilities within boundaries established by manufacturing specifications, process flows and business policies. Tool users can easily maintain a synergistic relationship between orders from multiple demand sources or ordering systems. A demand configurator receives demand information from each demand source and coordinates product requests in accordance with customer request rules and priorities. A supply configurator receives manufacturing and planning data from a planning source and manipulates the received manufacturing and planning data to create new supply data. A material resource engine provides material supply information from the new supply data, the received demand information following product supply rules and priorities.

Abstract: A method of scheduling meetings within a calendaring system can include receiving a meeting request specifying a meeting time, at least one participant, and a supplemental meeting service to be scheduled concurrently with the meeting. A determination can be made that a supplemental meeting system is not available. Accordingly, participants can be notified of the meeting time and that supplemental meeting service information has not been determined. The method also can include attempting to obtain the supplemental meeting service information from the supplemental meeting system until a predetermined time prior to the meeting time. If the supplemental meeting service information is obtained before the predetermined time prior to the meeting time, the participants can be notified of the supplemental meeting service information.

Abstract: An overall plan for providing maintenance and technical services for businesses and plants, as broadly defined, includes generic procedures for the services written as a manual of standard practices. A knowledge base or experience database of data and people is utilized, and both hardware and software tools are selected and used in providing the services.

Abstract: Computer implemented method and system for improving demand forecasting by estimating the hidden demand at an occurrence of a sellout using a single parameter probability distribution with a parameter assuming a forecasted mean demand value derived from a statistical seasonal causal time series forecasting model of count data on a new data set of sales values excluding truncated sales values at occurrences of sellouts. The present invention also provides for new more accurate performance evaluation techniques together with new performance metrics for evaluating an actual draw and for comparing a recommended draw to an actual draw.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying entities having expertise in one or more subjects. Among other features, the method includes querying a database for documents (e.g., articles, papers, periodicals) relevant to a subject; and calculating a first score for each relevant document. The method also identifies entities affiliated with one or more relevant documents; and calculates a second score for each entity based on the one or more first scores of the one or more relevant documents affiliated with the entity. A step of ranking expertise of the entities based on the respective second scores of the entities is included.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for network-based sales force automation are provided that meet objectives of increasing sales and marketing efficiency and efficiency of technical and customer support by providing multi-dimensional displays of transactional information to users. Transactional information of deals, contacts, accounts, and leads is provided over the Internet using a Web browser. The information of related transactions is electronically linked, and the transactional information is electronically searchable using custom profiles. The transactional information is accessed and shared among host organization members according to a hierarchy and predefined territories. A Radar Screen Opportunity Display (RSOD) may be selected on which deal objects are displayed that represent the stages in a sales pipeline of corresponding deals.

Abstract: A method for designating dates in an interactive travel calendar including the steps of providing an interface for users to specify event ranges, each event range having a start date that chronologically precedes an end date, receiving a signal designating a first date associated with an event, receiving a signal designating a second date associated with an event, setting the first date or the second date as a start date for an event range based upon a chronological relationship between the first date and the second date, with the start date being the date earlier chronologically among the first and second date and the end date being the date chronologically later among the first and second date, and presenting information reflecting the event range.

Abstract: A method of forecasting unscheduled component demand for a plurality of components in a fleet of assemblies includes establishing a set of models to be used for forecasting unscheduled component demand, selecting a best model for each component, and determining a date at which a cumulative probability of unscheduled component demand reaches a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automated management system for monitoring and controlling distribution and storage of money tills, and linking tracking of employee productivity to time in receipt of a till. The system comprises a cabinet, a control panel, and a personal computer. The cabinet is mounted through a wall to provide an interface having a front side accessible from a first area and a rear side accessible from a second area, such as a cash room. The interior cabinet space is divided into till compartments that are selectively accessible from both the front and rear of the cabinet. Tills are loaded and removed from the rear by cash room personnel and from the front by cashiers. The system is operable to anticipate, based upon work schedules, needed till types or amounts; compile and maintain useful associated records, including employee productivity; and link to other systems to further improve efficiency.

Abstract: A method is provided for scheduling an appointment by a service provider and for load leveling by the service provider. In the context of a vehicle collision repair service provider, the instant invention permits the service provider to balance the intake and outflow of new repair jobs to improve the work flowing through the service provider's facility. Through the instant invention, job drop-off slots and job delivery slots are allocated throughout a production period based upon production goals and capacities for the service provider. The program determines a first available drop-off slot for a specific job and presents the slot as a possible schedule option for scheduling the appointment. Load leveling between multiple facilities of a service provider is accomplished by allowing one facility to access the schedule database of an other facility and schedule appointments.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for creating a supplier-rating matrix for rating services of a supplier. The method includes defining a plurality of job attributes each including a plurality of sub-attributes, each sub-attribute representing a range of job attribute values and defining a job attribute vector associated with the supplier, the job attribute vector including a plurality of dimensions each corresponding to a sub-attribute. The method further includes defining a plurality of performance metrics and defining a performance vector associated with the supplier, the performance vector including a plurality of dimensions each corresponding to a performance metric. The method further includes defining a initial values for the job attribute vector and the performance vector and generating a supplier rating matrix for the supplier by mathematically combining the job attribute vector and the performance vector.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating regulatory certification of an aircraft system. The invention provides automated completion and submission of all the designee forms, including: 8110-1 Test Inspection Authorizations (TIA); 8100-1 Conformity Inspection Records; 8130-9 Statements of Conformity; and 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tags. In an exemplary method, one or more components that require certification activity are entered. Based on the entered one or more components, appropriate parties to supply certification activity based on the entered one or more components are automatically identified, and one of the identified parties to perform the certification activity is assigned. If desired, the performed certification activity is received from the assigned party. The performed certification activity is complied into a report, and an interactive display of the compiled report is generated for review.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allow a customer service representative (CSR) to conduct personalized interaction based on the value of the customer to the organization. A customer seeking to interact with a CSR is first presented with a list of available interaction options. The list of available interaction options is based on the customer's value to the organization such that the more valuable a customer is, the more options that will be made available to him or her for the interaction. The present invention determines a customer's value to an organization by monitoring a customer's purchase history with respect to the organization over a period of time and computing a customer value based on the frequency and amount of the customer's purchases. A customer service representative is further able to personalize the interaction based on previous interactions between the customer and the customer interaction center by accessing a contact history database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating new communications services are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is a method for developing an application strategy, which can be used to develop a new communications service of the invention. The method includes the steps of analyzing limitations of an existing communications network, interpreting market forces associated with the communications network, understanding customer needs in using the communications network, and defining an application strategy to meet the customer needs. The method includes an analysis of interactions among communications networks, communications applications, and communications devices. Preferably, two or more communications networks are included to provide the communications service.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a business comprising generating a matrix for analysis and planning that utilizes trend changes in the Average Selling Price (ASP) of End-User Products (EUP) and the trend changes in the OEM price of specific components used in the EUP to provide quantifiable “fact based” analysis, quantification, planning, and measurable actions for developing profitable business plans and tracking their progress against the business objectives.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automating a sales force is described. More particularly, a sales force automation program is provided having a leads module, a commissions module and a forecasting module. Record objects, generated within a module, are automatically routed for processing. Such record objects are routed from one computer to another via the Internet. A server with the sales force automation program is coupled to a sales database for providing information from and to client computers accessing the sales force automation program.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for comparing suppliers includes sending survey questions for receipt by supplier computer systems. Programming instructions are also sent for receipt and execution by the supplier computer systems, The programming instructions are for causing the supplier computer systems to return supplier survey answers to a server. The answers are included in responding documents and are defined in a certain format as data elements included in the responding documents. The data elements are then parsed from the responding documents responsive to predetermined programming instructions and evaluated the data elements responsive to a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A systemic logic method is used to convert objective and subjective data into meaningful business information. A graphical representation is created to allow the rapid and efficient comparison of the data generated, enabling the business analyst or decision maker to make and/or support decisions. The invention may used to identify strengths, vulnerabilities or opportunities for a business.