Abstract: A method and system for objectively determining potential success of a new project and similarity of the new project to historical projects. By defining a master set of processes, practices, and/or personnel available to be utilized by the new project, relationships may objectively be determined between the new and historical projects. Statistical information developed by the historical projects may be utilized to indicate potential success of the new project.

Abstract: A digraph including a plurality of ordinary nodes, at least one of a composition node and a decomposition node, and a plurality of arcs interconnecting any of said nodes.

Abstract: A computer implemented, interactive method and system for assisting real estate agents and their clients in managing and closing a real estate transaction. The invention includes the computer system's generation of a Gantt Chart which automatically tracks the entire real estate transaction, simultaneously providing each agent with the same visual presentation, on their own computer display device, of a description and status of each task to be performed by both agents in order to close the purchase and sale of a property. The Gantt Chart displays each task in a column on each agent's display device and adjacent to each task is a horizontal schedule bar which may contain at least one status indicator which indicates the status of its associated task. A document access indicator is also displayed as an icon adjacent to each task which involves the preparation and delivery of a real estate document.

Abstract: Sales associated with service providers are increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by service providers to act quickly in order to enhance sales. Both service providers and consumers setup a personalized profile in a database, and the system uses a matching process to match related service providers to the consumers' preferences.

Abstract: An enterprise strategy management system includes a first software module adapted to formulate a strategy description based on an assessment of environmental data, a second software module adapted to align the strategy description with available enterprise resources and deploy strategy implementation responsibilities, and a third software module adapted to measure the execution of the strategy and identify opportunities to optimize strategic performance. The first, second and third software modules are adapted to implement a continuous strategy management cycle, and may be executed in any order. In one embodiment, the first software module is an STRATEGY FORMULATION module, the second software module is an STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module and the third module is an STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module. The STRATEGY FORMULATION module includes software components for assessing environmental data, formulating and analyzing strategic alternatives and determining and approving a final, multi-level strategy description.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for scheduling an event or meeting consisting of a plurality of persons which is determined by optimizing one or more variables. In the preferred embodiment, one or more requests for a meeting are pooled. A selected variable is optimized and an event is scheduled on the optimized variable. As additional meeting requests are pooled which conflict with the initial optimized event, the selected variable is again optimized and the event is dynamically rescheduled based on the optimized variable.

Abstract: A work management apparatus generates a temporary shift table in which scheduled work times of employees are temporarily set, based on an employee information file and work management file stored in a file memory. The work management apparatus sends the generated temporary shift table to a plurality of portable terminals over a network. When receiving, over the network, response information sent from the plurality of portable terminals in response to the sent temporary shift table, the work management apparatus generates a settled shift table in which scheduled work times of employees are settled, based on the received response information. The work management apparatus automatically sends the generated settled shift table to the plurality of portable terminals over the network.

Abstract: An optimization technique is provided which automatically reduces the number of globals in a program to the minimum required. The optimization technique identifies those elements which are placed in a program as global elements, but which do not need to be global elements. The optimization technique parses all files in a program, identifies all global elements, and removes any global elements that are not used outside of a particular file within the program by converting these global elements to local elements or by disregarding those elements.

Abstract: Sociometric analysis of a group of individuals is performed using a single software application on a digital computer. The software creates a sociometric questionnaire in response to questions selected by a user. The questionnaire comprises at least one sociometric question, and typically several such questions. Each question includes a plurality of potential nominations corresponding to the individuals in the group, and solicits at least one nomination from the plurality. The software facilitates the inputting of responses to the sociometric questionnaire by displaying a replica of the questionnaire. The responses are accepted and analyzed, and each individual is classified into one of a plurality of sociometric classifications. Probability and strength scores related to the classification are calculated and reported. Reciprocal nominations and self-nominations are reported.

Abstract: A system and method for providing project management tools to support construction, renovations, maintenance and other projects. The system automates the creation, processing and approval cycles of the numerous documents involved with each project. The system provides standardized work processes through processing templates. The system provides automated control and management of the process. The system allows project initiation and funding approval by clients throughout the corporation via a desktop browser coupled to a corporate Intranet. A software application embodying the present invention and its underlying technology are appropriate for a paper intensive area. It reduces the approval cycle of projects. It automates the creation, processing and approval cycle of documents by routing documents electronically for on-line approval.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for modeling product volume penetration. A system embodiment includes a remote client operably connected to a server, having a number of client files, and an input device. A set of computer executable instructions are operable on the system for projecting product penetration of a product in a client file at a selectable point in time from a product launch or other starting point, based on a set of purchase data for the product. The set of computer executable instructions are operable for receiving the set of purchase data and graphically displaying the set of purchase data as a volume of product sales versus a number of time increments from the starting point. The set of computer executable instructions are further operable for mapping a curvilinear function to the graphically displayed set of purchase data by applying a function expressed as f(t)=s×tB.

Abstract: When the process plan made for execution is corrected based on the process correction condition, the variation amount in each of processes based on the process correction condition is calculated as the probability distribution using the probability distribution data generated by obtaining the probability distribution from the variation-amount prediction value of each of the processes. Thereby, the influence degree on other processes when the process is corrected can be estimated not simply as the propagation of the variation fixed value but so as to be more suited to the actual circumstances in accordance with the attribute information and the past variation patterns of the process.

Abstract: This invention provides techniques, systems and apparatus for assessing risk associated with a project or a portfolio of projects. An example embodiment having a processor and a memory, includes storing operational values which corresponds to a different project. Each operational value is representative of a project operational parameter. A risk vector is generated for each project based on the set of operational parameters. The risk vectors are partitioned into groups of similar risk vectors having a set of membership rules. Probabilities that a new project belongs to respective groups are generated. A risk value indicative of the risk associated with the new project is generated based on the probabilities generated. In some embodiments, the technique also assesses portfolio risk and utilizes an optimization algorithm to estimate acceptable or desirable margins to charge for each project in a portfolio of projects.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to calculate expected capacity utilization information by zone for a respective delivery agent within the zone then to display delivery agent shipping capacity information via a communications network. The present invention further provides a zone capacity calculation and display system that is intuitive and easy for the user to understand. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, capacity data may be illustrated for a respective delivery agent on a monthly basis. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the capacity data of a respective delivery agent may be illustrated for a respective zone on a daily basis.

Abstract: A supply chain transaction network. The network includes a customer agent server hosting a collection of intelligent customer agents for interfacing with and extracting information from one or more of a condition monitoring system, a computer maintenance management system and a procurement system and a distributor agent server hosting a collection of intelligent distributor agents for interfacing and communicating with one or more of a supply chain planning system, an inventory management system, a logistic management system, an order management system, an intelligent order fulfillment system, and an equipment knowledge base. An agent network manager and broker routes messages between the distributor agent server and the customer agent server to effect a movement of items within the supply chain.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for determining the most profitable distribution policy for a single period inventory system subject to a stochastic metric constraint that utilizes an optimization application, and including a Decision Support Tool for facilitating user determination of a distribution policy for a single period inventory system.

Abstract: A method, meeting scheduler and computer program product are provided for automated meeting scheduling using delegates, representatives, quorums, and teams. Meeting settings and invitees data are stored for a meeting. The meeting settings and invitees data includes invitee attendance type, delegates, representatives, quorums, and teams data. A solution time block for automated meeting scheduling including at least a subset of a plurality of selected invitees is identified utilizing the invitee attendance type, delegates, representatives, quorums, and teams data. A selection score is calculated for each potential time block for automated meeting scheduling utilizing the stored meeting settings and invitees data including the invitee attendance type, delegates, representatives, quorums, and teams data. The solution time block for automated meeting scheduling including a subset of a plurality of selected invitees is identified utilizing the calculated selection score.

Abstract: A business process is defined as a sequence of process steps where each process step is performed by an assigned user. A workflow route to support the business process provides a sequence of steps where each step corresponds to a business process step and has an associated user to execute the step. The user can be a set of users or an automated program. A workflow system can implement the business process by executing the corresponding route. A route is defined before the route is executed. However, the routes for some business processes cannot be completely defined before start of execution because of organizational boundaries, complexity of business process, number of choices, etc. The execution of a route can be adapted to a business process through use of a step in the route where the user associated with the step can specify subsequent steps and associated users for execution in the route.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for managing a task of a project in an integrated development environment. The task typically includes a plurality of events. In one aspect, the method includes receiving a set of data from a project management tool, the set of data including an identifier corresponding to the task. A process of the task associated with the identifier is then managed.

Abstract: A method and system for air carrier contract management and optimization is disclosed. In particular, the present invention receives and tracks client travel data and air carrier contract data, analyzes this data and configures the data structure to be used in a goal programming algorithm to determine an optimum travel carrier solution.