Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for determining the probability that an item will be available at a particular location at an expected time of transaction for the item. Variances for both reported and unreported sales rates of the item may be calculated. Probability distributions may be generated for these sales rates and a convolution performed to obtain the probability that the item will be available at the expected time of transaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for processing a job in a workflow environment. A signal is generated when status for the job is changed from a first status to a second status. A work process associated with the second status is notified that one job had its status changed to the second status in response to the signal. The work process processes the job that had its status changed from the first status to the second status and modifies the status of the job after completing the processing of the job.

Abstract: A flexible interface and a method for employing the same are provided for interconnecting a client program with a workflow server running a workflow management system having workflow-type functionality. The interface includes a set of predefined protocol user interface pages including at least one control page. At least one first workflow platform-dependent object is provided for accessing the workflow functionality. At least one second workflow platform-independent object is provided for providing data to the first workflow platform-dependent object. At least one server program is provided that is callable by the control page to access the workflow functionality by invoking at least one of the first workflow platform-dependent object and the second workflow platform-independent object to promote data translation and exchange between the client program and the workflow management system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a user-driven system, apparatus, and method for generating and sharing knowledge over a computer network. More particularly, this invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for permitting users of a computer network to procure on-line consulting services.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of tracking a vehicle during a vehicle-related multi-step process. A vehicle identifier is received for uniquely identifying a vehicle. A daily time target for each day of the repair process is preselected. A delay is then identified during a repair step if the time allocated to the vehicle is less than the preselected daily time target. A length of time for the delay is stored. Also, a reason for a delay is determined for why the vehicle was delayed during at least one of the multi-step processes. A proficiency of the repair process can then be reported such that a repair facility can assess areas of improvement.

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 method of analyzing a workload schedule compared to available resources is provided. Projects comprising a process with at least one task pro identified. A work time for each task is determined, including a greatest hands-on work time task. An effort equivalence (EE) for each task is determined by normalizing each task work time to the greatest hands-on work time. The projects are arranged so each task is at least partially performed in one interval. An apportionment of EE's is determined, as well as a total EE (TEE) for each interval. Each TEE is compared to a historical maximum EE volume (HMEEV) to evaluate the workload schedule compared to the available resources. Where a TEE exceeds the HMEEV, the projects are modified to reapportion the TEE's for a more efficient utilization of available resources compared to the workload schedule. A related method, system, and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing shopper behavior of a shopper within a shopping environment is provided. The method typically determining the position of a product within the shopping environment, tracking a shopper path of a shopper through the shopping environment, via a wireless tracking system, and calculating a product-shopper proximity measure based at least in part on a physical distance of a shopper traveling along the shopping path from the position of the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate integration of one corporate entity into another corporate entity are described herein. In one embodiment, a method in a computer for generating an acquisition integration project plan includes displaying a plurality of pre-defined integration events based upon at least one user selected integration area, each pre-defined integration event being associated with a phase in an acquisition process, displaying at least one user selected, pre-defined integration event for each user selected integration area, displaying at least one of a name of a person responsible, a due date, a completion percentage, and a commentary for each user selected, pre-defined integration event, and storing the user selected, pre-defined integration events and corresponding integration areas as an acquisition integration project plan.

Abstract: A supply chain network where customers, suppliers, logistics providers, carriers, and financial institutions are all connected to a centralized supply chain server. The server receives forecasts from the customers detailing the orders that the customers desire. These forecasts are analyzed by the supply chain server to ensure that they conform to contractual agreements and do not contain errors. The forecasts are also used to warn the suppliers of future demands so that the suppliers can anticipate demands and plan inventory accordingly. Once supplier demand issues are resolved, the forecasts are sent to the suppliers in groups so that the suppliers prepare a smaller number of large orders. The supply chain server also controls the processes involved in distributing the product from the suppliers to the customers including the generation and payment of invoices. A form of financing the customers' purchases, made possible by the supply chain architecture, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for management of an integrated communications provider comprising a means of automatically retrieving customer service records and preparing sales proposals therefrom. The invention further comprises components for pre-ordering management functions, circuit management, design management, service management, and gateway to incumbent local exchange carriers and trading partners. The system incorporates features that automate comparisons between existing services and proposal services, alarming of failures of confirmations, optimizing on-net and off-net services, creation of cutover reports and issuance of service requests to local exchange carriers and trading partners.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of marketing campaigns are disclosed. A targeting engine is used for analyzing data input and generating data output. The method includes the steps of using historical data to determine a target group based upon a plurality of embedded models and directing the marketing campaign towards the target groups flagged by the models.

Abstract: A method of allocating resources includes scheduling jobs from among a plurality of resources of a work-producing system. The work producing system is a pharmacy. The method includes the steps of sorting, in a predetermined order, available resources to be utilized in the pharmacy by a last task assignment, a number of tasks performable, rate per task, and/or cost per hour, and determining one or more queues responsive to the sorting. The method also includes the step of normalizing the queue by dividing a current task queue by an average rate of the available resources for each task in the current task queue. The method also includes the step of assigning the available resources to one or more tasks with a predetermined normalized queue, subject to at least one task constraint.

Abstract: An improved method for certifying that a manufacturing facility is capable of producing quality products of a particular type is disclosed. The improved method may comprise auditing the manufacturing facility against a process standard and issuing a certification to the process standard if the manufacturing facility passes the audit. This improved method is particularly suited to manufacturing facilities producing printed circuit assemblies and/or printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system to determine a market need before any monies are spent to produce and commercialize an artist. A method and system for determining the market demand for an artist comprising: receiving user input to determine which artist to select from a pool of artists; determining the market demand for said selected artist based on users contributing to a fund for said artist; and producing selected artists that attain a predefined level of user contributions.

Abstract: A method for measuring and reducing the cost of complexity in producing products or providing a service by comparing selected non-value added steps in the manufacturing or service process with the number of different products or services provided, so as to provide the non-value added cost of the product or service for various selected complexities. The number of products required to be processed or held in inventory for a particular demand, or the number of different specific services required for a particular demand of the service is determined by comparing the number of different product part numbers, or service categories offered, with selected non-value added steps in the respective processes. Mathematical analyses are derived from equations of motion of process improvement including the first derivative of process velocity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for analyzing and prioritizing business aspects of a vehicle-related multi-step process. The method calculates a relative strength of a particular category for the vehicle-related business. The method then assigns a strength indicator for the particular category based upon the calculations. The method also analyzes the performance, projections, and production workforce shift profiles for the vehicle-related business.

Abstract: An improved scheduling system for scheduling, in real time, two or more customer visits (e.g. pickups, deliveries, or service visits) in response to a single request. The single request preferably specifies a date and a time window for a first customer visit, and a periodic schedule according to which the customer visit should reoccur. Accordingly, the system allows a user to use a single request to schedule a series of periodically-reoccurring customer visits. In one embodiment, responsive to the request, the system firmly schedules the first customer visit, and tentatively schedules all other customer visits in the series. Shortly before each tentatively scheduled customer visit is to occur, the system determines whether to make the tentatively scheduled customer visit in view of holidays, capacity, and cost. If so, the system firmly schedules the customer visit. If not, the system notifies the user and allows the user to reschedule the visit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an integrated matching service and calendaring system. Calendar events are utilized as a bridge between an electronic calendaring system and a matching service. A calendar event represents an activity, e.g., job opening, tennis match, bicycle race, etc., the requirements to match the activity, the entity attributes, and any match results. An entity defines criteria and information for a matching activity which is stored as a calendar event in the electronic calendar system. Portions of the criteria and information are stored as attachments to the calendar event. The calendar events representing a matching activity and associated attachments are provided to a matching server which locates suitable matches for the activity based upon the criteria and information of the activity. If a suitable match is located, the matching server notifies the entities involved by listing the corresponding entities as attendees associated with the calendar event.

Abstract: An automatic planning apparatus comprises a WWW server and an application server which are connected to many clients through the Internet. The clients are operated by the users. The application server creates and asks some questions to the user. The user answers the questions. The answers are analyzed to determine the character. Certain initial conditions are input by the user or some other person. The application server automatically creates a schedule for the preparation of an event desired by the users after taking the input initial conditions and the character of the user into consideration.