Abstract: A method for adaptively delegating a capability, comprising the steps of providing for the delegation of the capability to a first role; allowing the step of providing for the delegation to be initiated by a principal in a second role; and hierarchically relating the capability, the first role and the second role.

Abstract: A service for pricing items of inventory contained in a searchable database is available for access via the Internet. Where multiple items can satisfy a consumer's request, it is typical for a service to perform an inventory search for items that match a consumer's request. When the inventory is stored in an inventory database, the inventory database is queried for the purpose of retrieving a result set which matches the consumer's request. A separate fare server database containing inventory recently known to be available, located local to the Internet server for fast and efficient access, can also be provided for performing searches related to the consumer's request. Some inventory, even though recently known to have been available, is filtered out before being stored in the fare server database and inventory is removed when outdated, no longer available or purchased.

Abstract: A method in a computer system for paperless business work-flow review and management includes the steps of: creating an interactive document electronically; entering the interactive document into a document entry stage; electronically submitting the interactive document to a first approval level from the document entry stage, when such approval is required by a set of business rules; approving the submitted interactive document; for N levels of approval, iteratively submitting the interactive document electronically to the next approval level, up to level N, when the interactive document is approved at the previous approval level; returning the interactive document to the document entry stage when the interactive document is rejected at any of the first through N approval levels; electronically processing the interactive document at the processing level when the interactive document is approved at all required approval levels; verifying the electronic processing of the interactive document; and archiving the

Abstract: A dynamic approval system, capable of integration with enterprise software systems, where approval requests are generated from within application programs and processed using one or more dynamic approval rules comprising discrete rule steps and step criteria. For each approval request, only those rule steps applicable to the requestor and type of request are processed. Individual rule steps may be reordered, added or skipped, as appropriate, during an approval process. Typical rule steps include at least one request for approval or review. The party receiving the request may be a specific individual, a person holding a specific position, or a person having a relative relationship, such as supervisor, with the requestor.

Abstract: A business-to-business relationship portal (e.g., a web site or the like interface to a network or web-based computer system) facilitates the communications and activities of individuals and entities in collaborative business environments. Preferably, a network-based portal is provided that supports large-scale, e.g., global, needs. The portal preferably provides a community of stakeholders with a set of core capabilities beneficial to support business objectives. The most preferred embodiments of the invention are employed in an exemplary environment pertaining to launch centers for new business, companies or entities, which can be particularly advantageous to a launch center community of stakeholders such as: launch centers; venture capitalists; consulting companies; market units; prospects; marketing and public relations; and/or service providers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing interaction of multiple business process events by nesting the information from prerequisite events into a business process that is dependent on those processes to transact. In one embodiment, a business process comprises a dependent event that is launched by users, completed events or application calls and one or more prerequisite events that are launched by dependent events. The dependent event, rather than the prerequisite event, manages a set of rules used to evaluate nested information, determine if an exception is required and who needs to approve exceptions. Nested information is used by a dependent event to automatically monitor the progress of each prerequisite event. Nesting allows prerequisite events to be free of business rules, so they can be reused by many dependent processes without duplication. A library of prerequisite events can be kept so new business processes can be quickly constructed using already existing events.

Abstract: A system for determining lack of compliance of a transactional entity with an enterprise policy by maintaining an historical record of the entity as changes are made over time. The system allows establishment, codification, and maintenance of enterprise policies, monitors electronic transactions of the enterprise from various data sources, detects exceptions to established policies, reports exceptions to authorized users such as managers and auditors, and/or provides a case management system for tracking exceptions and their underlying transactions. A master data extractor establishes an initial instance of a transactional entity in a monitoring database. A changed data extractor is responsive to changed data for establishing a subsequent instance of the transactional entity in the monitoring database.

Abstract: Techniques for temporarily holding project stages are provided. Resources and configuration information associated with a source stage of project's lifecycle are imaged in a self-contained project package. The package is published to an intermediate holding area. The package is pulled to and initiated within a target stage of the project's lifecycle when release and access criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining creation processes for products in the graphics industry, the product being described by one or more product properties. Starting out from the properties of a product, a network of creation processes (P1, P2, P4) is created, which describes the creation of the product as a function of the resources (1, 1?, 2, 2?, 3, 3?, 4, 5, 6) involved in the creation process, in that the creation processes (P1, P2, P4) upstream of a resource (1, 1?, 2, 2?, 3, 3?, 4, 5, 6) are ascertained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for network-based workflow enabled project management that allows trade gateways to be established between a business entity and one or more trading partners. Embodiments of the invention facilitate, through the use of computer networks-based interfaces, the stages of assessment planning and assessing the readiness of partners, implementing the trade gateways, testing the gateways and migrating the gateways to production. Embodiments of the invention provide efficient on-boarding with a participant collaboration system, a consolidated view of readiness data of participants and activation schedules. A system embodying the invention also provides real-time reports with details of participant readiness assessment, integration plans, individual process implementation schedules for complete on-boarding status, and project management functionality comprising workflow alert capabilities.

Abstract: Improved approaches to notifying others of publications are disclosed. These improved approaches enable notifications to be timely and reliably made. In one embodiment, a notifor requests notification of certain publications be performed in an automated and controlled manner, and then notifications for such certain publications are automatically prepared and electronically transmitted to one or more notifees.

Abstract: A method of integrating business-related content into the execution of a game application is disclosed. A player of the game application is exposed to the business-related content within the context of the game. User actions within the game cause the game application to transparently re-direct the user to a customized corporate web site containing selected information from a business sponsor. Game-related user actions performed while the player is at the customized corporate web site cause the player to be exposed to additional business-related content from the business sponsor. The player may earn benefits while at the customized corporate web site. Some of the player benefits are real-life benefits external to the game application which may be utilized by the player after finishing the game. A record of external benefits is kept by the business sponsor. Other benefits may be immediately available to the player by pausing the game, thereby allowing the player to access the sponsor's reward program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the automatic creation of a process model having a graphical representation. The system includes a planner to determine different plans for addressing a problem, and a graphics engine for displaying the process model for the different plans. Furthermore, the present invention includes a method for forming a process model having the steps of obtaining a planning data from a planning software; accessing a graphical editor; building the information needed to create a process model; and drawing a process model diagram with the graphical editor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an analytical system for generating and accessing arguments is disclosed. Each argument is associated with a conclusion indicating whether a particular situation will likely have a negative or positive result. One embodiment of the analytical system includes a database for storing a plurality of templates, each template including a plurality of questions which may be answered to generate a particular argument having an associated conclusion that is based on those answers. The analytical system also includes an argument server that includes means for a user to select a template that is most relevant to a particular situation, means for receiving answers to one or more of the selected template's questions such that a new argument is generated having a conclusion based on those answers, and means for associating supporting evidence provided by the user with each answer.

Abstract: A system and method of modeling an enterprise and its objectives and its information technology system into a single enterprise framework so that the effect of changes in one can be seen as impacting the other. In its preferred embodiment, a generic framework is customized to reflect changes for the industry and the enterprise and its objectives and uses a LOTUS NOTES database with a front-end navigator to make modifications. The enterprise framework includes a section on governance which provides an architectural framework and a management process for the enterprise framework.

Abstract: A method of managing supplier intelligence is provided. The method includes collecting procurement data from a plurality of data sources. The procurement data includes information regarding a plurality of business divisions of a business entity. The method further includes generating spend formulas for each business division for determining spending associated with each business division. The method further includes generating a set of supplier intelligence business rules that interrelate at least one spend formula associated with a first one of the business divisions with at least one spend formula associated with a second one of the business divisions. The method further includes automatically analyzing a portion of the procurement data based on the supplier intelligence business rules to determine the financial effects of a decision made by the first business division on the second business division.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for service level management, wherein business processes are composed of services. A state of the service is defined by one or more service parameters, and the service parameters depend upon performance of network components that support the service, e.g., component parameters. The state of the service may depend, for example, on a collection of service parameter values for availability, reliability, security, integrity and response time. A service level agreement is a contract between a supplier and a customer that identifies services supported by a network, service parameters for the services, and service levels (e.g., acceptable levels) for each service parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for collecting data in component memory of a printing device replaceable component and utilizing the data in a customer service center. A printing device records data related to the printing device, usage information, environment information, etc. in a memory tag of a replaceable component—such as a toner cartridge—used in the printing device. When the component is returned to the manufacturer for recycling, the information is retrieved from the memory tag and stored in a customer database. When a customer contacts the customer service center, a customer service operator accesses information related to the customer and to the printing device(s) used by that customer. Help screens, or menus, displayed to the operator are customized according to the product(s) owned by the customer and the environment within which the product is used.

Abstract: A computer-based method for representing a project includes accessing a description of the project, generating a graphic display of at least a portion of the project based on the description, and dynamically updating the graphic display in response to a change in the description of the project. A computer program product for representing a project includes instructions that cause a processor to convert a description of the project into display instructions for displaying relative progress of the project relative to, but independently of, an expectation of progress and displaying a relative rate of progress of the project relative to, but independently of, an expectation of a rate of progress. The computer program product is tangibly stored on machine readable media.

Abstract: A supply chain management system facilitates the efficient allocation and shipment of items. At least one customer having a geographical location associated therewith communicates with at least one client. The at least one client generates an order on behalf of the customer, where the order includes item data corresponding to at least one item and location data corresponding to the customer geographical location. A promising engine is in communication with the at least one client and with a plurality of warehouses in the system. The promising engine identifies a shipping warehouse from the plurality of warehouses based in part upon the location data corresponding to the customer geographical location, where the shipping warehouse is the nearest warehouse to the customer geographical location that has an ability to ship the at least one item to the at least one customer within a specified timeframe.