Abstract: The invention is a method and a system for analyzing a process in terms of the elements that are the drivers of the process. The invention evaluates a process in terms of one or more scheduling drivers and process drivers, measures the metrics around the drivers and relates the measured values to key performance indicators of the drivers and the overall process. The metrics of the drivers can be correlated to past performance to determine if the attributes of the drivers being measures should be changed. The invention is appropriate for evaluating the processes of an business organization where the processes can be defined by one of the five process flows of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention allocates the supply of critical components and manufacturing capacity by optimizing critical material planning decisions and dynamically allocating constrained materials using advanced substitution logic that considers alternate suppliers and supports product life cycle from design through end-of-life. The present invention may utilize unique synchronized allocations and matched sets logic. The synchronized allocations ensure that all materials necessary for production are available in the appropriate time-phased allocation before beginning production to minimize wasted production capacity and materials. The supply system may include various combination of components, including a Supply Planner, a Resource Optimizer, a Constraint Based Master Planner, a Product Change Analyzer, a Comparer, a Resource Requirements Planner, a Finite Resource Planner, a Customer Promiser, and an Interactive Master Scheduler.

Abstract: A method for automatically planning is provided, comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of tasks that a user needs to perform, each task having an earliest start time, a latest stop time, a duration for completing the event and a reward value for completing the event, the tasks including a fixed task having the duration being equal to the time period between the earliest start time and the latest stop time and a floating task having a duration that is less than the time period between the earliest start time and the latest stop time, arranging said fixed task into a plan for the user based on the earliest start time, duration and reward of the fixed task, determining an actual start time for the floating task within the time period between the earliest start time and the latest stop time based on the earliest start time and duration of the fixed task, and arranging said floating task into the plan for the user based on the selected actual start time and the reward of the floating task.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method for defining a personal profile for an individual collects work pattern data associated with the individual, correlates the work pattern data with work pattern characteristics of a plurality of predefined work pattern groups, and identifies a personal profile for the individual based on the correlation, the personal profile including the classification of the individual as a member of one of the work pattern groups. Based on the personal profile, a knowledge management solution for the individual may be recommended, inclusive of knowledge products and services.

Abstract: A process for managing the showing and usage of real estate up for sale. The process allows buyers to schedule a showing or in person viewing of real estate directly through an Internet web site. The buyer will be able to view the schedule of multiple properties in their area giving them the ability to plan their house hunting expeditions. Sellers of real estate may block out times when they do not want their property shown directly from their own computers. Agents will have complete visibility of the seller's availability time thereby increasing availability to schedule. Sellers will also be able to view when agents have scheduled a showing for their property and gain access to historical records of their property showings. Agents will be able to list properties for showings and make appointments for their clients to view other agents' properties with a click of a mouse. The central scheduling focus will be around the property.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating or presenting marketing initiatives in a sales manager system. A user inputs offer parameters for a new initiative. The offer parameters includes an initiative time period and an initiative description. After the parameters have been entered, customer selection criteria is associated with those parameters. The effectiveness of the new initiative is determined using stored statistics associated with past initiatives, after which, the new initiative is complete and is stored in a database.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating quality service though the use of anonymous shoppers. The method and system provide executives and managers of retail operations with an essentially objective evaluation of the performance of its business operations through the use of data obtained by anonymous shoppers. The method formulates essentially objective evaluation parameters for a business operation and composes essentially objective questions based on parameters. Anonymous shoppers are trained to monitor quality service and provide essentially objective responses. Key areas of quality service are evaluated by responses to questions. Numerical ratings are assigned to the responses using a weighted point system; these ratings are combined for each key area of business operation. The resulting numerical ratings are further combined for a single overall rating. The numerical ratings are entered into a computer to generate one or more managerial reports.

Abstract: A data management system for use in a consumer product development process comprises a computing device with a memory having a plurality of data bases including at least one database for each of a plurality of business units involved in the product development process. An application program, for execution in the computing device, interfaces with at least one user to retrieve initial product information, to thereby produce a first product record in one of the plurality of databases. A sharing engine interacts with each of said databases to generate product records for each database using product information from said first product record, wherein each of said product records is organized by requirements from the database for which said product record is generated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for assessing the overall risk in at least part of an information technology system includes inputting into a risk assessment database a plurality of identified risks in a system; associating the risks to at least one severity band in a risk echelon; assigning a value to each risk; multiplying each risk value by a coefficient factor; and summing the factored risk values to determine the overall risk. The method preferably includes modifying the security implementation of the information technology system and determining the modified overall risk. The system preferably includes an automated vulnerability detection scanner to gather risk information, which is stored on a database and used in calculating the overall risk.

Abstract: A method for developing new products for introduction into the marketplace comprises providing a plurality of pools with each pool serving as a repository for new product concepts, ideas, or partially developed products. A predetermined number of new product concepts are registered into each pool according to predetermined subject matter associated therewith. One concept is selected from each pool for further development. Each selected concept is engineered to optimize its intended utility function and a degree of proprietary protection is then acquired therefor. Having obtained proprietary protection for the selected concept, the concept is marketed to potential manufacturers for the purpose of obtaining a license therewith. A licensee obtains the rights to manufacture and distribute the product in exchange for royalties on sales thereof. Royalties on sales are distributed first to the submitter of the selected concept and, in smaller proportions, to the other pool submitters and pool manager.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the evaluation and measurement of the performance of public relations, advertising and sales events to a particular user in order to provide value added relevance to marketing information. The invention provides a computer based means consolidating in an easily accessed format, information that has relevance to the marketing process of a particular brand or product and the performance measurement of a plurality of public relations events.

Abstract: A toll-paying device for use in a vehicle passing through a lane having a tollhouse in a toll collection system. In response to a driver inserting an IC card which at least stores a card ID in the card slot of the device, a traveling status of the vehicle is detected to indicate an immobile or running state. In case of a running state of the vehicle, the driver is prohibited from entering a code such as a card ID or password. If the vehicle is stopped, the code entry is permitted. In an embodiment, the codes of IC cards that have been validated are registered in the toll-paying device so that if the driver uses one of the registered IC card, he or she is permitted to omit the code entry for the IC card. Techniques for preventing the driver from leaving his or her IC card in the keyhole of the vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contact (call) center technique matches the best available contact center agent with contacts requiring particular services. As contacts arrive, skills required for each service or contact are correlated with skills possessed by agents, and the best available agent is assigned to process the contact.

Abstract: A virtual human interface application for conducting surveys comprises a system and method which include a script file which may include survey question data, response pattern data, advertising data, entertainment data, lobbying data and/or processing instructions. The system and method include an image generator providing a representation of a character communicating data from the script file, and also include script and response processing modules to seek and/or clarify responses from a user as well as to advertise to the user, persuade the user, encourage or reward the user, possibly based on patterns detected in the user's responses. The system and method automate the distribution of survey questions, the collection of survey data and processing and formatting of survey results.

Abstract: A wireless network covering a large local geographic area is used to link a large number of payment terminals provided in the same area. Each payment terminal is located near a plurality of parking spaces, either at the curbside or in municipal lots. Parking data is gathered from motorists at the payment terminals, the parking data including vehicle identification data or parking space identification data. The parking data is sent from the payment terminals to the wireless network in response to payment made at the payment terminals. A plurality of portable terminals are provided for use by parking wardens inspecting the parking spaces of the local geographic area. The wireless network is used to transmit the parking data substantially upon receipt from the payment terminals to the portable terminals in the local geographic area.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved volume or share decomposition are described. A request for sales volume or share information for a particular product is sent to a database. The sales volume or share information received from the database is decomposed and casual factors are provided. In addition, the sales volume or share information, the additional decomposed sales volume or share information and the causal factors are displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing method for conducting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business by way of an electronic commerce terminal. An electronic commerce terminal can be referred to as a pervasive computing device. In addition, the present invention relates to a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring and effectuating e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business and controlling vending equipment and applications. The system can effectuate electronic commerce and interactive advertising at the point of sale. Vending equipment includes copiers, phones (public, private, cellular), facsimile machines, printers, data-ports, laptop print stations, notebook computers, palmtop computers (PALM PILOT), microfiche devices, projectors, scanners, cameras, modems, communication access, personal data assistants (PDA's), pagers, and other vending machines, personal computers (PC), PC terminals (NET PC), and network computers (NC).

Abstract: A workflow management system and method is described. The illustrated embodiment is a contact management system, more particularly adapted for employment in a debt collection context. Methods and systems are described for allowing a debt collector to associate debtors with different categories, either manually or automatically in response to predetermined condition. Thus, the system can efficiently manage the status of debtors by associating each debtor with a particular category. As part of this system, the debtor accounts are moved from one category to another, and from one individual to another, as the collection process is undertaken. The system maintains each debtor account within a predetermined category, and then displays each of the categories to a collector on a graphical display. The graphical display uses rectangular bars for representing each category, and indicates within the rectangular bars how many contacts belong to the category.

Abstract: Methods of managing workflow information in an account-based system are described. The illustrated embodiments include a contact management system, and some embodiments are adapted for employment in a debt collection context. In addition, methods and systems are described for allowing a debt collector to associate debtors with different categories, either manually or automatically in response to predetermined condition. Thus, the system and method provide for efficiently managing the status of debtors by associating each debtor with a particular category. In certain embodiments, the debtor accounts are moved from one category to another, and from one individual to another, as the collection process is undertaken. The system and method maintain each debtor account within a predetermined category, display each of the categories to a collector on a graphical display, and display a list of debtor accounts within the category in response to the collector pressing a function key corresponding to a category.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying irregular sales activity. The method includes the steps of extracting data related to a first predetermined criteria from at least one of a predetermined set of files based on a first guideline; generating a first criteria specific report based on the first predetermined criteria; extracting data related to a second predetermined criteria from at least one of the predetermined set of files based on a second guideline; generating a second criteria specific report based on the second predetermined criteria; and generating an intermediate report including information from the criteria specific reports and generating an irregular activity report. The first criteria specific report includes data related to the first predetermined criteria associated with one or more entities of at least one predetermined entity type. The second criteria specific report includes data related to the second predetermined criteria associated with the one or more entities.