Abstract: Methods and systems for updating a task list from an action item documentation view are provided. In one embodiment, a method of the present invention may include receiving an indication that a task view indicator has been selected from the action item documentation view and displaying the task list with a focus on one or more tasks that correspond with the task view indicator selected. The task list displayed may include all tasks due for a particular patient, whether or not information regarding the task may be input in the action item documentation view.

Abstract: It is difficult for managers or other operators to decide how best to modify an available pool of resources used for their workflows. Methods for achieving this by improving the robustness of workflows are described. The more robust a workflow, the better its ability to withstand detrimental changes to its associated pool of resources. It is recognized here that the size of the solution space for the problem of allocating resources to tasks in a workflow provides a useful indicator of robustness of a workflow. In general, the greater the size of the solution space the more robust the workflow. A constraint optimization problem is specified for the problem of how best to modify resource characteristics of a pool of resources in order to maximize a size of a solution space. The solution space is that for the problem of allocating resources from the pool to tasks in a workflow.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to allocating inventory across a plurality of locations in a supply chain. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a total time-phased inventory and target safety stock level for each of the items at each location based on the baseline inventory as determined from expected demand and lead times for each item at each location, a target service level, a demand uncertainty level, a lead time uncertainty level, carrying costs in the supply chain and user constraints on budget, capacity and inventory.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of a viral marketing program develops a plurality of trials of a viral marketing program having a business objective with each trial having a plurality of attributes at least one of which differs from an attribute of the other of the plurality of trials, exposes a first plurality of users to a first trial and a second plurality of users to a second trial, collects data indicative of the users response to the trial to which they were exposed that is reflective of the likelihood of the trial obtaining the business objective, compares the data to identify a trial more likely to achieve the business objective than a non-identified trial and continues to utilize the identified trial in the viral marketing program while ceasing use of a non-identified trial.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for allocating system costs of an infrastructure of a computer center includes the steps of: determining total pro rata temporis costs of individual system resources of the infrastructure for a billing period; dividing the total pro rata temporis costs of individual system resources into individual performances by a key; dividing the individual performances into individual performance shares for one service each, such that the division corresponds to a percentage share of the individual performance actually used by one service each; adding up for one service each for one system resource each the individual performance shares, thereby providing performance share sums; and adding up the performance share sums, which have been formed each for the same service but different system resources.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between task requesters who have tasks available to be performed and task performer users who are available to perform tasks, such as interactions that enable improvement of unsatisfactory task performance results from human task performer users. In some situations, after a task performer user has generated initial results from performance of a task supplied by a task requester, the task requester indicates that the initial results are only partially satisfactory (e.g., only partially satisfy one or more criteria for the task performance results), and may result in only a partial payment rather than a full payment amount associated with fully satisfactory performance of the task. The task requester may also supply information to provide one or more opportunities to the task performer user to supply additional improved supplemental results (e.g., so as to receive the full payment amount).

Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of aligning an agent's compensation with an organization's goals, incentivizing an agent to improve their performance, and managing an agent. In one embodiment, the present invention includes defining a performance metric that relates to a goal of an organization. Performance levels are then defined for the performance metric. The performance levels are associated with performance values that an agent must meet to have their performance classified within a performance level. The method also includes providing a compensation rule that defines which of the performance levels an agent must achieve to change their current compensation. The performance of an agent with respect to the performance metric is then monitored to generate an agent performance, which is compared to the previously established achievement values to determine an agent's performance level.

Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring performance of employees, contractors and other agents employed to perform tasks on behalf of a company, business organization or other entity. In an embodiment, the present invention involves defining performance metrics that relate to achievement values. The achievement values are associated with defined performance levels. Performance statistics that relate to an agents performance are collected and compared to the achievement values to characterize an agent's performance within one of the performance levels. The performance level achieved by an agent and the compensation of the agent are graphically displayed, and in some embodiments used to determine compensation adjustments.

Abstract: A customer care architecture integrates a full range of customer care and dunning billing features in a customer care system. The customer care architecture defines and implements multiple workflows which support dunning action requests while centralizing customer account control at the customer care system in an end-to-end telecommunications system framework. The customer care architecture thereby supports interaction, communication, and synchronization with existing and established dunning accounting systems.

Abstract: A method (and system) of providing optimization repeatability in an on-demand computing environment removes variability in an optimization model instance and can be exemplarily implemented in a service architecture. The method and system receives a plurality of physical data instances, which are different representations of the same logical data model, and transforms the plurality of physical data instances into a normalized physical data instance, which can be combined with an optimization model to form a unique optimization model instance, thereby providing repeatability in solving optimization problems.

Abstract: Work items are collected from one or more work item providers for presentation to a workflow participant. A work item provider is typically a workflow management system (“WFMS”), but other providers of work items might exist that generate work items and may or may not have their own local worklist. Multiple independent WFMS's of multiple types might provide work items to a universal worklist (“UWL”) service that integrates the work items from all of the providers. Additional integration might be provided between the UWL and work item providers, such as for controlling work item execution with a sub-workflow through an ad-hoc workflow engine. Additional integration provides for custom attributes. Each work item has a type that is used to determine handling for that work item. A universal work list service includes storage for work items, wherein a work item represents a task generated as part of a process flow.

Abstract: A method is provided for meeting anticipated parts demands, by controlling substitute part inventory coverage based on percentage requirements. The method is characterized by substitution sets determined as a ratio of the current PN level. In one embodiment, current parts of specified type and substitute parts functionally equivalent to the current parts are respectively kept in inventory. This embodiment includes specifying a maximum percentage of demand for the current parts that is allowed to be filled using substitute parts. The number of additional parts needed to cover a demand is determined, when the demand specifies a total number of current parts exceeding the number thereof in inventory. A number of substitute parts is then assigned from inventory to cover the demand, up to a number that does not exceed the specified maximum percentage of the specified total number.

Abstract: Determining an inventory target for a node of a supply chain includes calculating a demand stock for satisfying a demand over supply lead time at the node of the supply chain, and calculating a demand variability stock for satisfying a demand variability of the demand over supply lead time at the node. A demand bias of the demand at the node is established. An inventory target for the node is determined based on the demand stock and the demand variability stock in accordance with the demand bias.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for achieving consideration of preemptive priorities within a supply chain optimization model. More specifically, the invention provides a method of allocating resources to a hierarchy of demand priorities in a linear programming production planning system. In particular, the invention aggregates the demand priorities into different priority groups and allocates the resources to the highest priority group of demand priorities using a first linear programming model. Next, the invention allocates remaining resources to the next highest priority group of demand priorities using a second linear programming model. The second linear programming model uses results from the first linear programming model. The invention continues this process by iteratively repeating the process of allocating remaining resources to the remaining groups of demand priorities, in order of priority.

Abstract: A method of preparing a presentation instrument includes receiving, at a host computer system, an electronic transmission from an external customer. The external customer is an entity other than the operator of the host computer system. Transactions using the presentation instrument are processed by an entity other than the operator of the host computer system. The electronic transmission comprises information to define a decision rule. The method also includes receiving an electronic transmission from the external customer that comprises a decision information. The method further includes applying the decision rule to the decision information and, based on the application of the decision rule to the decision information, sending control signals to plastics production equipment that cause the presentation instrument to be prepared. The method also includes sending control signals to mail processing equipment to package the presentation instrument for transmission to a customer.

Abstract: A system for periodic and real-time processing of accounts. The system operates in a bulk mode and an error mode. A bulk component concurrently processes a set of eligible accounts with a set of dependent tasks, and a removal component removes one or more accounts from the eligible accounts if an error is associated therewith. In bulk mode, each task fetches only the required set of accounts/subscriptions/payment instruments for processing. In error mode (retry/reprocess mode), if an account encounters an error for a task in the bulk mode, the account drops is removed from bulk mode and becomes ineligible for fetching in any future bulk-mode task processing. Error-mode processing tests and processes all tasks sequentially for an errored account until the account state is in par with the accounts being processed by bulk mode. Then the account is removed from error mode processing and is picked up appropriately by bulk-mode processing.

Abstract: The present invention includes a business management tool that is configured to receive and process both first and second data sources for planning, performance and forecasting purposes. The business management tool of the present invention is further configured to utilize essential data including key performance indicators. The foregoing data sets are inputting into an integrated planning, performance and forecasting methodology that integrates historical data and forecasting data to form a closed loop system for managing a business. Lastly, the business management tool of the present invention is adapted to advise managers of those conditions and variables that subject the business to the most risk with regard to revenue planning and forecasting.

Abstract: In one embodiment, determining order lead time for a supply chain includes generating probability distribution for expected order lead time options, where each probability distribution for expected order lead time option is associated with a category. A category that corresponds to a supply chain is identified. The supply chain has nodes, including a starting node and an ending node that supplies a customer, and designates a path from the starting node to the ending node. A probability distribution for expected order lead time option associated with the identified category is selected as a probability distribution for expected order lead time for the supply chain. The probability distribution for expected order lead time describes ending node demand for the ending node versus order lead time.

Abstract: Generating a price schedule involves generating a graph having paths that include states with values. The graph is generated by determining the values of a successor state from the values of a predecessor state. An optimal path is selected, and a price schedule is determined from the optimal path. Computing an elasticity curve involves having a demand model, values for demand model, and filter sets that restrict the values. Elasticity curves are determined by filtering the values using filter sets, and calculating the elasticity curve using the demand model. A best-fitting elasticity curve is selected. Adjusting a demand forecast value includes estimating an inventory and a demand at a number of locations. An expected number of unrealized sales at each location is calculated. An sales forecast value is determined according to the expected number.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for providing multiple views of a business process definition includes storing a model of a business process, and providing different view points of the model to different classes of users.