Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for managing mobile workers in an object oriented programming environment is disclosed. A plurality of target objects that correspond to facilities assets to be worked on by a mobile worker are classified within a database of the computer. The attributes of each target object are defined, including a task to be performed on each target object. Mobile workers are scheduled for the tasks to be performed on target objects by running a rule engine to determine the algorithms and heuristics to be used to schedule mobile workers for the tasks to be performed. The scheduled jobs are then output to the mobile workers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for repair planning for a location in a repair network includes modeling: (1) an uninspected buffer for parts received but not yet inspected at the location; (2) a first buffer for parts inspected at the location and repairable at the location; (3) a second buffer for parts inspected at the location and not repairable at the location; (4) a third buffer for parts inspected at the location and not repairable at any location in the repair network; and (5) a fourth buffer for parts inspected at the location and serviceable without repair. The parts in the uninspected buffer are assigned to the first, second, third, and fourth buffers at corresponding rates according to an inspection operation.

Abstract: A system and method for retaining institutional customer contact knowledge and experience is disclosed. The system and method permits multiple users to interact with a centralized database that retains customer contact information. The system and method allows multiple users to send information to the database. The database also makes the customer contact information available to multiple users. In another aspect of the invention, customer contact information can be used to measure the performance of a firm's employees.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of using said data processing system for assessing and managing risk is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the method includes the steps of identifying a set of risk elements; determining an importance for each said risk element; identifying any subrisks associated with said risk elements; identifying one or more control procedures for each said subrisk element; assigning weights to each said control procedure; rating compliance with each said control procedure and calculating an overall weighed compliance score. The method may further include the steps of for each non-fully compliant subrisk, allowing the user to determine whether to accept the risk or generate an action plan addressing the risk. The method may further preferably include calculating future compliance scores based on said action plans. The system further provides for sorting and displaying compliance scores by a number of parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a controller for controlling a system, capable of presentation of a plurality of candidate propositions resulting in a response performance, in order to optimise an objective function of the system. The controller has a means for storing, according to candidate proposition, a representation of the response performance in actual use of respective propositions; means for assessing which candidate proposition is likely to result in the lowest expected regret after the next presentation on the basis of an understanding of the probability distribution of the response performance of all of the plurality of candidate propositions; where regret is a term used for the shortfall in response performance between always presenting a true best candidate proposition and using the candidate proposition actually presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to designating that durations of specific tasks are estimated or tentative. The user can indicate estimated durations by the sheet mode or the dialog mode. Estimated duration characters are symbols of uncertainty, such as “?”, that indicate that the duration entries are not fixed and final, but may need to be adjusted in the future. The user can select an option to not display the estimated duration character even though the estimated field for the task is set. The user can also select an option to have new tasks that are created have estimated duration characters until the user chooses to enter a duration value. The program can also filter the task list to display only tasks that have estimated duration characters.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and system network for lead processing are described. More particularly, a web-based client-server system is described where a sales force automation system is used for updating databases and routing tasks based on user activity. In particular, action item form screen images and lead form screen images may be cast as objects and associated with one another. A lead source is identified with a lead, and activity with respect to whether such a lead results in a registration or a quote is tracked. Moreover, whether such registration or quote results in actual revenue generation is tracked as based on an existing opportunity or a new opportunity. Accordingly, lead source effectiveness for generating new business may be determined based on revenue generation.

Abstract: A system is described for providing performance feedback to a cashier at a POS terminal. The system includes a display for displaying information to a cashier operating the POS terminal. The display displays a performance goal screen at the start of a work session, indicating to the cashier a performance goal for the work session. The POS terminal measures the cashier's performance during the work session and, at the end of the work session, the display displays a performance report screen comparing the cashier's measured performance with the performance goal.

Abstract: Users desire to normalize raw data from meter load profile acquisition systems against some attributes (i.e., properties) of a facility, such as the number of employees. The facility area, and the number of products produced would be additional potential attributes for consideration. Normalization involves dividing a load profile channel such as kiloWatt hours by a determined facility attribute to obtain a new data set, for example, such as “kWh/Employee.” The present modelization allows a user to define a set of attributes and manage their value over time to refine the facility model. Keeping track of the attributes over time provides increased accuracy in the resulting data. The model is managed by a user interface which can be refined over time as the facility evolves. Data comprising sets of attributes over time may persist within the system for later retrieval.

Abstract: A method and structure for coordinating resources to complete a design project prioritizes tasks to create a project plan, automatically notifies resources of task responsibilities and associated due dates based on the project plan through the use of encryption keys, controls access to the design data through the use of the encryption keys assigned to the resources, automatically monitors work being performed on tasks through a computerized network, and automatically notifies a project team leader of task completion status, overdue tasks, and tasks being ignored, based on the monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing demographic data accuracy from third party data vendors is provided. Third party demographic data is compared to self-reported demographic data; hence compared to data presumed to be accurate. Analysis is done on the comparison to determine the accuracy of the data and if bias exists in the results for a particular demographic population or geographic region. Demographic data from many third parties can be analyzed in the same way, and the results can be compared to each other to determine which third party has the most accurate demographic data elements.

Abstract: An ETC (electronic toll collection) system includes an antenna having a predetermined directivity for providing a limited radio-communication service zone. A vehicle sensor operates for detecting a vehicle which reaches a predetermined position in the limited radio-communication service zone. A radio signal is transmitted via the antenna. A decision is made as to whether or not a radio response to the radio signal is received via the antenna. In cases where a radio response to the radio signal is received, it is judged that there is an ETC vehicle incoming. In cases where the vehicle sensor detects a vehicle while a radio response to the radio signal is not received, it is judged that there is a non-ETC vehicle incoming.

Abstract: A method and system for utility resource aggregation and allocation is disclosed. User data on utility resource use for a plurality of utility users is collected. Utility resource demand is modeled for an aggregation of a subset of the plurality of utility users. The aggregation of utility users are dynamically matched with a utility source or aggregated utility source.

Abstract: A product development scheduler uses a distributed, constraint based system for modeling allocation of resources. All resources for all active development projects are provided at a central location, so that resources are not allocated twice across different projects. Real time availability of resources allows accurate modeling, and changes in resource status are reflected by the scheduler. Availability of materials are tracked through the supply chain to ensure true availability for planning purposes.

Abstract: The invention is a method and a system for analyzing a process in terms of the elements that are the drivers of the process. The invention evaluates a process in terms of one or more scheduling drivers and process drivers, measures the metrics around the drivers and relates the measured values to key performance indicators of the drivers and the overall process. The metrics of the drivers can be correlated to past performance to determine if the attributes of the drivers being measures should be changed. The invention is appropriate for evaluating the processes of an business organization where the processes can be defined by one of the five process flows of the invention.

Abstract: A system (100) for demand planning includes memory (116) containing a value representing a demand quantity of at least one end product that a manufacturer (102) is to produce. Production of the demand quantity of the end product includes production of a quantity of at least one intermediate product that is to be further processed to produce the end product. The system (100) also includes one or more processors (114) collectively operable to determine a value representing an additional quantity of the intermediate product that the manufacturer (102) can produce in addition to the quantity of the intermediate product used to produce the end product. The one or more processors (114) are also collectively operable to make the additional quantity value for the intermediate product available for use in generating additional demand for the intermediate product.

Abstract: A data processing system and method of using said data processing system for assessing and managing risk is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the method includes the steps of identifying a set of risk elements; determining an importance for each said risk element; identifying any subrisks associated with said risk elements; identifying one ore more control procedures for each said subrisk element; assigning weights to each said control procedure; rating compliance with each said control procedure and calculating an overall weighed compliance score. The method may further include the steps of for each non-fully compliant subrisk, allowing the user to determine whether to accept the risk or generate an action plan addressing the risk. The method may further preferably include calculating future compliance scores based on said action plans. The system further provides for sorting and displaying compliance scores by a number of parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling delivery and delivery of products to buyers. A Mobile Pickup Station (MPS) server is placed within a computer network and receives product shipping instructions from buyers or third party sellers. The MPS server determines optimal pickup points using buyer commuting information and buyer delivery requests. A MPS, carrying a buyer's products, is dispatched to an optimal pickup point chosen by the buyer. A MPS may be used to both deliver and receive products. In an alternative embodiment, a MPS server finds stores with buyer desired products along the buyer's commuting route.

Abstract: A method of predicting expected performance of a processing center system is provided. The method includes receiving performance information from a performance monitoring system associated with the processing center system. A computer model of the processing center system is developed based on the performance information. The method further includes generating predictions based on the computer model, and analyzing the predictions to generate performance scenarios for the processing center system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for associating a retail performance metric with individual entries within a transaction and/or time type categories. The retail performance metric is determined by recording the time the system waited for and received an input. The retail performance metric type is determined as a function of the input received by the system. A retail performance metric is recorded as a function of the time the system waited for and received an input and includes a reference to the specific event causing the RPM and/or the time type category of the input.