Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling a sender to easily and automatically track mail. The foregoing is accomplished by first requiring the sender to register the sender's acquisition and possession of a booklet of tracking labels. Sender may indicate to the system the nature of the automated tracking sender wishes (delivery only, failure only, mailing events forwarding, etc.) Sender may override the system for specific mail. Sender is in possession of the labels contained in the booklet which may be wrapped with tamper evidencing material, may register the labels by entering the booklet security code as well as the first sequential label tracking code in a system. The booklet security code is not obtained until the tampering evidencing material is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing trust level of a collection of information having a first input data and a derived data. The method involves obtaining the first input data from a data source, generating the derived data from at least the first input data, determining a derived trust level of the derived data from at least a first input trust level based on the data source, and indicating validity of the derived data based on the derived trust level.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user's contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user's existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for presenting personalized custom product designs to the customers of a second company. Email content promoting customizable products and containing images of product designs is prepared by the product vendor and supplied to a second company. The second company creates and sends an email containing the content to customers of the second company. If a recipient of the email selects one of the product images presented in the email, an identifier of the selected image and information about the email recipient are forwarded to the product vendor. The received recipient information is incorporated into the selected design to create a customized product design, which is displayed to the recipient for review.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to compile profile information for a user of a computer network into a user object. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: collecting profile information implicitly and explicitly from structured data sources; collecting profile information implicitly from unstructured data sources; and importing profile information inherited from collaborative entities with which the user is associated.

Abstract: A method for providing business information comprises receiving a request, a selected industry, and a selected region, then generating report data, and providing a printable industry report. The industry report has charts and a map and is divided into a national market overview section, a market dynamics section, and a company information section. A system for providing business information has an application server, a web server, and a memory, such as a database. The application server fabricates a data product. The web server processes requests from the application server and provides the data product in an industry report. The web server includes charting and mapping components. For rapid retrieval, the database stores a table of company information.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing sales leads. Illustratively, the invention provides a method of assigning sales leads in a network environment, the sales leads relating to persons interested in effecting a purchase, the method comprising: obtaining a lead, the lead including lead information relating to a person interested in effecting a purchase; loading the lead into a lead processing portion; determining if the lead is auto-assignable; assigning the lead to a sales agent; and outputting the lead information over the network environment to a lead distribution portion, so as to be accessible to the sales agent.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing sales leads. Illustratively, the invention provides a method for validating a new sales lead from an agent employed in a sales lead processing entity, the method comprising: inputting new sales lead information representing a new sales lead from an agent using an agent computer interface; transmitting the new sales lead information to a lead processing portion, the lead processing portion having a leads memory portion, the leads memory portion storing existing sales lead information relating to existing sales leads; comparing the new sales lead information with the existing sales lead information; determining if there is a match between the new sales lead information and any of the existing sales lead information; and tagging the new sales lead information as a duplicate lead based on a determination that there is a match between the new sales lead information and any of the existing sales lead information.

Abstract: An information retrieval system for retrieving information relating to a conveyance includes a data collecting unit for collecting data relating to operational aspects of the conveyance. A processor communicates with the data collecting unit for processing collected data to provide formatted data suitable for printing. A printing unit, installed in the conveyance, prints the formatted data to provide information relating to the conveyance.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing sales leads. Illustratively, the invention provides a method for distributing sales leads, the method comprising: inputting a sales lead, having lead information, to a lead processing portion; performing a decisioning process relating to assignment of the sales lead, the decisioning process determining the recipient of the sales lead for working the sales lead, wherein at least a call center is included in the decisioning process as a possible recipient; and outputting information regarding the sales lead from the lead processing portion to the recipient of the sales lead for access and working of the sales lead by the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and distributing centrally-received leads to a plurality of remote dealers are disclosed. The management and distribution of leads may be handled by the centralized methods and systems regardless of the type of lead management software each supported dealer may employ. Also disclosed are systems and methods for collecting and processing information relating to the effectiveness of a dealer's follow-through on leads that it receives, independent of how that dealer processes leads or what type of lead management software the dealer uses. Additional disclosures include systems and methods for transmitting leads and lead follow-up and effectiveness information between a central system that receives leads from a plurality of sources and a dealer via an intermediary.