Abstract: A method for determining the total cost incurred per user of information technology (IT) in a distributed computing environment includes obtaining base costs and ongoing costs of an IT system and applying those costs to a series of metrics. The metrics are compared against benchmarks to evaluate and assess where cost efficiencies can be achieved.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improved reporting of supplier performance. A system receives and processes data to enable reporting of on-time performance relative to a plurality of order start points and a plurality of order end points. Buyers and suppliers report on-time performance for system processing using the delivery start points and end points collected in the normal course of their business operations. System users may obtain supplier on-time performance reports indicating the on-time performance of suppliers relative to the plurality of start point/end point pairs reflected in the collected data. A system and method is also provided for improved reporting of reject performance. A system stores collected information predictive of whether an order reject was supplier caused or buyer caused. The predicted cause of order rejects is reflected in supplier reject performance as reported to system users.

Abstract: Method and apparatus suitable for demand forecasting. The invention can enable sales forecasting “by item, by size, by location”. The invention features combining a demand profile and a demand model into a single encompassing model which is capable of projecting demand for an identified set of merchandise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to support the coordination of geographically distributed activities, e.g. printing and, in particular, a method for mixed human and computer-supported distributed scheduling of a task according to scheduling decisions within a plurality of workplaces. The workplaces are connected to each other and to a shared negotiation facility via a computer network. The method involves expressing a first scheduling decision by manual modification in a scheduling board within a first of said workplaces, recording said first scheduling decision and creating computer-readable first scheduling decision data. These first scheduling decision data are transferred via the computer network to the shared negotiation facility, where said task is negotiated by combining the first scheduling decision data with second scheduling decision data received from at least a second of said workplaces. Negotiation results are transferred to at least said first workplace.

Abstract: Techniques for evaluating the closeness of fit between various parties and counterparties utilizing bilateral and multilateral decision-making are disclosed. For each party, questions intended to reveal the preferences of the party are presented to the party and/or a co-evaluator for the party, and a preference profile is derived for the party based upon the responses to the questions. For each counterparty, questions intended to reveal the preferences of the counterparty are presented to the counterparty and/or a co-evaluator for the counterparty, and a preference profile is derived for the counterparty. The preference profiles of the parties and counterparties are analyzed to determine, for each potential pairing of party and counterparty, those providing a relatively close fit.

Abstract: A method and system for ascribing a reputation of an entity as a rater of other entities is provided. A first rating indicative of a rating of a rated entity by the first entity, and one or more second ratings, each second rating indicative of a rating of the rated entity provided by another entity, are provided. The second ratings are combined to produce a first combined rating. The first rating is compared to the first combined rating to produce a first rating predictability of the first rating, the first rating predictability being a negative function of a magnitude of a difference between the first rating and the first combined rating. A resulting rater reputation is generated based at least in part on the first rating predictability.

Abstract: A personalized ratee reputation of a first entity from the perspective of a second entity is determined. The second entity is connected by one or more rating paths to the first entity. A breadth-first search is performed, beginning at the second entity, to determine, from the one or more rating paths, one or more first rating paths that have a first length equal to a shortest length between the first entity and the second entity. For each determined first rating path, a third entity on the first rating path that has a level equal to one less than the first length is identified. For each identified third entity, a first rating of the first entity provided by the third entity determined, and the first ratings are combined. The personalized ratee reputation is then produced by weighting the combined first ratings by an amount according to the first length.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a ratee reputation of an entity based at least in part on the rater reputation of one or more of the entities that have rated the rated entity. A ratee reputation of a first entity is determined. A first rating of the first entity by a second entity is received. One or more rater reputations including a first rater reputation of the second entity as a qualitative rater of other entities are accessed, and a ratee reputation of the first entity is generated by combining the one or more rater reputations and the first rating.

Abstract: A schedule management system includes a schedule data table which stores the schedule data including an identifier of a schedule owner, the time zone, activity and the state of the schedule. A definition data table stores the definition data for determining the relation between the registration and display of the schedule and the schedule and the state in he schedule data. A schedule data registration unit accepts a schedule reservation request, determines whether the schedule registration is permitted or not based on the schedule state of the schedule data existing in the schedule data table and the definition data, and when the schedule registration is permitted, registers the reservation schedule in the schedule data table. A schedule data approval unit accepts a request from the schedule owner for approving/disapproving the schedule and rewrites the schedule state of the corresponding schedule data in the schedule data table.

Abstract: A system, method, and various software products provide for consistent identification of web users across multiple web sites, servers and domains, monitoring and capture of data describing the users' web activities, categorization of the web activity data, aggregation of the data into time dependent models describing interest of users and groups over time. Categorization is made with respect to a category tree which may be standardized or customized for each web site. User groups may be defined based on membership rules for category interest information and demographics. Individual user profiles are then created for users automatically based on satisfaction of the user group membership rules. As new data is collected on a user over time, the category interest information extracted from the user's web activity is updated to form a current model of the user's interests relative to the various categories. This information is also used to automatically update group membership and user profile information.

Abstract: A method of dynamically scheduling a workforce includes obtaining workforce requirements, attributes and employee preferences, determining a workforce schedule based on the workforce requirements and attributes, determining a schedule value based on workforce requirements and employee preferences, and iteratively modifying the workforce schedule, determining a schedule value based on workforce requirements and preferences for the modified workforce schedule, and comparing schedule values to determine a best workforce schedule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microbilling system that integrates with existing billing systems and existing devices. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the devices store digital certificates with short-lived expiration dates and specifying transaction limits, preferably using a trust management system. A provisioning agent periodically (e.g., once a day) issues the certificates over a secure channel to the devices. When conducting a purchase transaction, the devices exchange certificates via a communication channel (that need not be secure) and the purchasing device issues a digitally signed electronic check which is periodically deposited over an advantageously secure channel with a clearing service. The present invention enables microbilling transactions by embedding liability in the certificates.

Abstract: A time-phased forecasting and replenishment system (20) for retail organizations which can be used for inventory management and financial management. One or more computers (28) create time-phased plans for one or more retail facilities, such as various types of retail stores (23) and/or various types of suppliers (24). The system calculates projected sales for each product at each facility and calculates projected replenishment shipments between facilities and suppliers a specified number of weeks into the future. The calculated forecasts and replenishments are done in ways that account for the unique needs of retail organizations, and allow efficient processing and storage of the large data volumes typical in many retail organizations.