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: A method and system which tracks productivity including summarization of “tasks performed” for productivity analysis. The tracking capabilities of the system uses a positioning system and includes a complete reconstruction (graphically if desired by overlaying the positional movements on a 2 or 3 dimensional map of the location) of a series of movements over a period of time. The system gathers the exact time and position information of an employee over a period of each work day and the task being worked on at any given moment of time. This data can be analyzed to determine, for example, non-productive movements, and provide a better foundation of information for productivity payroll including the relative “difficulty” of a task.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a system and method of encouraging customers to review purchased items. Customers are provided with review requests a predetermined amount of time after the customer has purchased an item or had the item delivered. The predetermined amount of time is related to an estimated time it will take the customer to evaluate the item. The reviews may include textual reviews that are presented to other customers and/or item ratings that are used to generate personal recommendations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating or presenting marketing initiatives in a sales manager system. A user inputs offer parameters for a new initiative. The offer parameters includes an initiative time period and an initiative description. After the parameters have been entered, customer selection criteria is associated with those parameters. The effectiveness of the new initiative is determined using stored statistics associated with past initiatives, after which, the new initiative is complete and is stored in a database.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided including a computer with memory including stored therein a first list of employees each having a criteria of eligibility data associated therewith and a second list of work area functions each having a criteria of eligibility data associated therewith; a computer usable code having a computer readable program code medium embodied therein for controlling the transfer of a shift change in a place of employment, the computer readable program code medium in said article of manufacture including computer-readable program code for causing the computer to ascertain an identity of an owner of a shift, computer-readable program code for causing the computer to ascertain an identity of a recipient of a shift, and computer-readable program code for causing the computer to approve the transferring of a shift of the owner to the recipient only if the eligibility data of the recipient matches that of the work area function associated with the shift of the owner.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating quality service though the use of anonymous shoppers. The method and system provide executives and managers of retail operations with an essentially objective evaluation of the performance of its business operations through the use of data obtained by anonymous shoppers. The method formulates essentially objective evaluation parameters for a business operation and composes essentially objective questions based on parameters. Anonymous shoppers are trained to monitor quality service and provide essentially objective responses. Key areas of quality service are evaluated by responses to questions. Numerical ratings are assigned to the responses using a weighted point system; these ratings are combined for each key area of business operation. The resulting numerical ratings are further combined for a single overall rating. The numerical ratings are entered into a computer to generate one or more managerial reports.

Abstract: A data structure and software systems for modeling a business are disclosed. The data structure is formed of a constellation of data structures termed Business Execution and Analysis Models (BEAMs). Each of these BEAMs is formed of one or more hierarchies and/or dimensions that express a collection of business scenarios. Each hierarchy has a name and includes two or more levels. A lineage relationship exists between the levels in the hierarchy, wherein the hierarchy has a tree-like structure. One or more cross-link relationships may be provided between levels of two hierarchies, wherein each cross-link relationship defines a business rule or a business constraint. Each BEAM may include one or more dimensions which have one or more cross-link relationships between the hierarchies. One or more business perspectives may be provided, wherein the business perspective is a template of a multidimensional query into the data.

Abstract: A closed loop system is presented for selecting samples for labeling so that they can be used to generate classifiers. The sampling is done in phases. In each phase a subset of samples are chosen using information collected in previous phases and the classification model that has been generated up to that point. The total number of samples and the number of phases can be chosen by the user.

Abstract: An automated management system for monitoring and controlling distribution and storage of money tills, and linking tracking of employee productivity to time in receipt of a till. The system comprises a cabinet, a control panel, and a personal computer. The cabinet is mounted through a wall to provide an interface having a front side accessible from a first area and a rear side accessible from a second area, such as a cash room. The interior cabinet space is divided into till compartments that are accessible from both the front and rear of the cabinet. Tills are loaded and removed from the rear by cash room personnel and from the front by cashiers. The system is operable to anticipate, based upon work schedules, needed till types or amounts; compile and maintain useful associated records, including employee productivity and link to other systems to further improve efficiency.

Abstract: A data management system for use in a consumer product development process comprises a computing device with a memory having a plurality of data bases including at least one database for each of a plurality of business units involved in the product development process. An application program, for execution in the computing device, interfaces with at least one user to retrieve initial product information, to thereby produce a first product record in one of the plurality of databases. A sharing engine interacts with each of said databases to generate product records for each database using product information from said first product record, wherein each of said product records is organized by requirements from the database for which said product record is generated.

Abstract: The invention also includes methods of issuing an account authorization to a UET card, a method of transferring transactional and account information between a UET card and a personal computer or a mainframe computer, a method of using the UET card as a remote terminal for a mainframe computer, and a method of conducting an electronic transaction.

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 financial transaction processing system is disclosed, wherein substantial processing efficiencies are provided with, additionally, a substantial decrease in the size of the executable code. Each transaction processed by the transaction processing system is described by a transaction data descriptor that includes a series of subtransaction data descriptions of actions that can be performed independently of one another. Thus, complex transaction processing logic is substantially removed from the executable code, and instead such transaction data descriptors are processed interpretatively. Moreover, the independence of the subtransactions allows the subtransactions of a transaction to be processed in parallel when performed on a multiprocessor computer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for assessing the overall risk in at least part of an information technology system includes inputting into a risk assessment database a plurality of identified risks in a system; associating the risks to at least one severity band in a risk echelon; assigning a value to each risk; multiplying each risk value by a coefficient factor; and summing the factored risk values to determine the overall risk. The method preferably includes modifying the security implementation of the information technology system and determining the modified overall risk. The system preferably includes an automated vulnerability detection scanner to gather risk information, which is stored on a database and used in calculating the overall risk.

Abstract: A method and system for purchasing assets on behalf of customers who use financial transaction media such as credit cards, ATM/CAT cards, and electronic commerce managed by a financial institution. As the customer uses his financial transaction medium to purchase goods and services, he generates a sum of purchases. This sum is converted into incentive points that are added to incentive points previously earned. When the customer has enough incentive points, the method or system purchases an asset, such as a stock, on the customer's behalf, using the incentive points. The utilization of this method or system may be over a short-time promotional period, or it may commemorate a special occasion, or it may be used as part of a compensation package for an employee of a corporation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for implementing an off shore/off site activity in an organization, with most optimal skills transfer process. The said process includes the steps of assessing the suitability of outsourcing and whether the activity should be carried out on-site, locally or remotely, based on pre-determined parameters and decision ratios, planning the process including the minimum groundwork required before the actual process can begin, identifying the various milestones in the process and the deliverables in each milestones monitoring the progress of the migration process and the ways and means to take corrective action, and, evaluating the results of the development.

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 logistics method is disclosed that provides logistics computer programming for controlling a plurality of transports to supply a plurality of delivery locations from one or more bases. Each of the bases and delivery locations are in communication with a central database, preferably an Internet server database, that contains updated logistics information. The central database is preferably automatically updated at selectable intervals as to transport location, destination, fuel level, speed, and heading. Manifests may be originated at the respective delivery location or at an associated base and are stored in the central database. Each material on the manifest is associated with information such as the authorized vendor, a description, storage preferences, units, hazardous designations and additional information if the material is hazardous.

Abstract: A computer display for analyzing and comparing financial investments. The display includes an investment display section containing an investment table. The investment table includes a plurality of investment cells configured to represent a group of investment parameters. The investment cells may contain at least one cell bar having a size proportional to one of the investment parameters. The investment cells may contain a dynamic indicator color, wherein the indicator color changes according to the value of one of the investment parameters. The investment cells may further contain a text descriptive of at least one of the investment parameters.

Abstract: A method for recruiting personnel for a business entity including a plurality of distinct business units each having individual hiring requirements, wherein at least some of the distinct business units' hiring requirements compete for common applicants, the method including the steps of: entering information related to a plurality of hiring needs, each of the plurality of hiring needs being respectively associated with one of the plurality of distinct business units, and information related to a plurality of candidates into a database, respectively; automatically cross-referencing the information related to the plurality of hiring needs with the information related to the plurality of candidates to identify candidates selected the plurality of candidates who satisfy entered information indicative of hiring needs; and, determining which of the identified candidates should be offered a job associated with the hiring needs; wherein, when it is determined that one of the identified candidates should be offered mo