Abstract: A relationship is established between scheduled events in an electronic calendaring application. A first event is scheduled on the electronic calendaring application and at least a second event is scheduled at a user designated time interval relative to the first event. The at least a second event is automatically changed when the user initiates a change to the first event. The user designated time interval is automatically maintained between the first event and the at least a second event.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for a computer-implemented method which receives user input that specifies values for predetermined questions provided in an environmental questionnaire, identifies environmentally friendly businesses or individuals by analyzing the user input values and determining those businesses or individuals that meet predetermined minimum requirements, and stores a list of the identified businesses or individuals within a database.

Abstract: A facility for providing a workflow report document for a number of instances of a business process is described. In connection with information specifying the display of an arrangement of shapes each representing a constituent action of the business process, the facility provides information specifying the display in connection with shapes of the arrangement of at least one business process measure aggregated across all of the instances of the process.

Abstract: Uncorrelated data from a variety of sources, such as consumer panels or retailer points of sale, are combined with maximal coverage of a universal data set for a population in a manner that permits useful inferences about behaviorial propensities for the population at an individual or household level.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing the level of engagement of components within a defined ecosystem or context includes defining an initial ecosystem or context ‘A’ in structural, functional, operational, and conceptual terms. One or more components are identified in the defined ecosystem or context ‘A’. It is determined whether all identified components account for all of the structural, functional, operational, and conceptual terms of the initial ecosystem or context ‘A’. If so, levels of disengagement and engagement are quantified for each of the identified components. For each of the identified components, one or more gaps are measured between a current component engagement level and a potential component engagement level. A report associated with the one or more identified components and the one or more measured gaps is produced and output. The report includes an organizational structure of the one or more components within a new ecosystem or context ‘B’.

Abstract: A method for a rating system identifies user-selected performance indicators associated with one or more properties. A rating is computed for each of the user-selected performance indicators and for each entity in an entity class by applying at least the user-selected performance indicators to a rating algorithm. The entity class is divided into at least three approximately equal numbers of entity. For each of the performance indicator rating, the method sorts the performance indicator relative to a respective performance indicator of the other entity in the entity class, maps the sorted results to one of the at least three divisions of the entity class, and identifies and presents a portion of the user-selected performance indicators that represent indicators that outperform or underperform the entity class.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for compiling workflows into instructions for a state correlation engine. In general, data characterizing a workflow of a process is received and a network representation of event-condition-action rules representing the workflow is generated. The workflow of the process may be modeled in accordance with a notation similar to the Business Process Modeling Notation. The network representation of event-condition-action rules may include a combination of source nodes representing events, operator nodes representing conditions, and action nodes representing transactions. Events of the source nodes may be represented types of objects of a type language, where a correlation engine is to execute an event-condition-action rule based on an existence of a combination of types of a rule.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a strategic plan via developing and aligning strategy elements that include required business outcomes (RBOs), strategic business objectives (SBOs), and desired business outcomes (DBOs). RBOs are developed and assigned to key result areas (KRAs). RBOs are operational goals required by a higher-level organization, and deliverable via an execution of operational activities of a subordinate organization. KRAs are performance measurement categories included on the subordinate organization's scorecard and the higher-level organization's scorecard. SBOs are developed and assigned to KRAs, resulting in a first alignment of RBOs with SBOs. SBOs are strategic objectives of the subordinate organization. DBOs are developed and assigned to KRAs, resulting in a second alignment of DBOs with SBOs. DBOs are desired results of the subordinate organization. Strategic goals of the higher-level organization are monitored using RBO and DBO statuses and the first and second alignments.

Abstract: A system for managing changes to obviate inefficiencies in business processes involves identifying business activities (36) being performed and categorizing (34) the activities. Using the category designations (34) to reveal non-contributory activities, drivers of the causes of inefficiencies are identified. A second set of activities (46) incorporates outcomes of proposed improvements. Linking (38, 40, 42, 44) between existing (36) and improved (46) activity sets ensures necessary activities are incorporated to achieve the desired outcome. Linkages between the activities within the activity set and the business function that performs them also enables accountability and measures to be assigned.

Abstract: A service management system and method. In one embodiment, the service management system includes: (1) a service description repository configured to contain service descriptions that define services in terms of a set of systems and devices that assume roles based on at least one of capabilities and attributes thereof and (2) a service management engine coupled to the service description repository and configured to employ one of the service descriptions to repair a corresponding one of the services using a predefined relationship among a subscriber, at least one of the systems and devices and optimal values.

Abstract: For each of tasks performed in an operation of manufacturing equipment, a proficiency of a worker with respect to a task to be performed is obtained from a proficiency DB (120) storing proficiencies of workers with respect to the tasks. A guidance base time (314) determined based on a manufacturing schedule is controlled corresponding to the proficiency of the worker, a guidance control time (334) corresponding to the proficiency of the worker is determined, and guidance is outputted at the guidance control time (334). The proficiency of the worker with respect to the task is corrected based on task record information (340) including a task content and a task time of a task performed by the worker and on the guidance control time (334), and the proficiency of the worker with respect to the task stored in the proficiency DB (120) is updated.

Abstract: A method is described for collecting inference execution events from forward-chaining business rule engines and constructing causality network graphs for visual presentation to an end user. Using the causality network graph, the user may navigate logic paths leading to particular conclusions or actions.

Abstract: A method for building an integrated customer analytics solution for an enterprise is provided. The method enables retrieving and processing customer data from data sources available in the enterprise. Further, statistical techniques are generated using the processed data to facilitate analyzing attributes related to the customer. Statistical model outputs are, then, derived using the generated statistical techniques. The statistical model outputs represent metrics corresponding to the analyzed attributes. Furthermore, statistical models are generated corresponding to the statistical model outputs. The statistical models are associated with scores that facilitate to predict likelihood of customer behavior towards products, services and other customer related aspects associated with the enterprise. In addition, reports are generated based on at least one of: the processed data and the one or more statistical model outputs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for surveying equipment, machinery, plants, and other facilities. Facilities data may be overlaid onto a map to generate a graphical mapping. When this graphical mapping is displayed, a selection may be received to create a survey of the facilities. Another selection of a facilities item needing repair may be received, and an action may be associated to the facilities item. An electronic survey file is created that describes the facilities item needing repair.

Abstract: System, process, and computer program product for evaluating a lead are provided. A process for evaluating a lead may include determining whether each incoming lead is duplicative, determining a score for each lead, valuing each lead based on the lead score and outcome data, and determining sales capacity and the motor vehicle dealer's existing need for leads. The process may also include applying business rules to each lead using a processor, where the business rules may include the real-time optimization of sales capacity and lead need of a motor vehicle dealer. The process may further include routing each lead based upon the satisfaction of the business rules.

Abstract: A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations.

Abstract: A method and system of reducing risk in the life cycle of a product, in one aspect, obtain one or more tasks required to achieve an overall task, determine risk impact of each task, the risk impact being an impact of each task on the likelihood of failure for the overall task and compute risk of overall task based on risk impacts of the tasks. The method and system utilize said risk impact of each task to schedule the tasks in such a way so as to reduce said risk of overall task as rapidly as possible.

Abstract: A marketing method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system total population data. A peer group is selected from the total population data. The peer group is associated with a first marketing action. A list of attributes characterizing the peer group is generated. The attributes are associated with the marketing action, demographic data, and additional purchasing habits of the peer group. A target group of individuals of the total population data is selected. The attributes are associated with the individuals of the target group. Scores associated with the individuals of the target group are generated. The individuals of the target group are ranked based on said scores. A ranking list based is generated. The ranking list includes the individuals of the target group in a ranked order. The ranking list is stored.

Abstract: A system and method for upgrading or otherwise improving performance and/or operation of a transmission grid are provided. The system and method involve identifying transmission grid constraint(s), e.g., transmission bottlenecks or other causes of system congestion, and implementing step(s) to alleviate such constraint(s) on terms and conditions that shift initial capital requirements away from grid owners/operators. The capital-shifting mechanisms generally include installation of and/or access to equipment for monitoring and/or measuring grid performance parameter(s) on a predetermined basis, e.g., in real-time, on a daily basis or the like. A processor is provided that is programmed to calculate a payment stream to be paid to the independent party responsible for effectuating the grid performance upgrade based on measurement of performance parameters.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides location-sensitive and time-sensitive calendaring to a wireless device, such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, etc. A user's calendar is maintained with a number of appointments, start times and end times for the appointments, meeting place and a list of attendees for the appointments. When the present time reading is within a predetermined minimum of a meeting start time of an appointment of a calendar user, the location of the user is determined based on the location of the wireless device. The location of the meeting place is also determined. Using historical data (of the user or others), the estimated time of arrival of the user at the meeting place is determined. If the estimated time of arrival is after the meeting start time, then a late message may be sent to the user and/or to the other meeting attendees.