Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for modeling consequences of events on performance indicators. A causality model is provided to define relationships between events and the consequences associated with each one of the events to modify a value of at least one of the performance indicators associated with each one of the events. An algorithm included in the causality model is executable to compute an impact of the consequences on the value. A causality model management system is provided to manage the causality model, including storing, execution of the algorithm, interfacing with other systems, and simulating what-if scenarios of the events and the performance indicators.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for decision making under uncertainty. A causality framework is provided to define relationships between an alternative (Ai) of a set of alternatives and at least one performance indicator of a set of performance indicators. A k-concurrent lottery (Li) associated with the alternative (Ai) is conducted, the alternative (Ai) having consequences over k ones of the set of performance indicators. The k-concurrent lottery (Li) is homogenized over the set of performance indicators if the k ones is less than a number of the set of performance indicators. An expected utility of the k-concurrent lottery (Li) for each one of the set of alternatives is computed. One alternative is selected from the set of alternatives, the selection occurring in accordance with a selection criteria based on the expected utility.

Abstract: A configuration management database (CMDB) comprising a plurality of statements, where in the statements comprise a first item identifying a resource, a second item identifying an object, and a third item identifying a relationship between the resource and the object, and wherein the statements are made in a markup language.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to prioritizing services based on business objectives is described. According to one embodiment, a probability of a service violation occurring within a predetermined time period is determined based on a service level jeopardy threshold being exceeded. The probability of a service violation corresponds to an incident. An alignment of the service level violation with a business objective is computed based on the probability of the service level violation. The incident is prioritized based on the alignment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for modeling consequences of events on performance indicators. A causality model is provided to define relationships between events and the consequences associated with each one of the events to modify a value of at least one of the performance indicators associated with each one of the events. An algorithm included in the causality model is executable to compute an impact of the consequences on the value. A causality model management system is provided to manage the causality model, including storing, execution of the algorithm, interfacing with other systems, and simulating what-if scenarios of the events and the performance indicators.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for decision making under uncertainty. A causality framework is provided to define relationships between an alternative (Ai) of a set of alternatives and at least one performance indicator of a set of performance indicators. A k-concurrent lottery (Li) associated with the alternative (Ai) is conducted, the alternative (Ai) having consequences over k ones of the set of performance indicators. The k-concurrent lottery (Li) is homogenized over the set of performance indicators if the k ones is less than a number of the set of performance indicators. An expected utility of the k-concurrent lottery (Li) for each one of the set of alternatives is computed. One alternative is selected from the set of alternatives, the selection occurring in accordance with a selection criteria based on the expected utility.

Abstract: An automatic process outputs a activity failure indicator indicating the likelihood of project failure, a delay indicator indicating the likelihood of project delay, a human resource shortage indicator indicating the likelihood of a lack of human resources and an infrastructure shortage indicator indicating the likelihood of a shortage of infrastructure resources.

Abstract: A configuration management database (CMDB) comprising a plurality of statements, where in the statements comprise a first item identifying a resource, a second item identifying an object, and a third item identifying a relationship between the resource and the object, and wherein the statements are made in a markup language.

Abstract: It is often difficult to reliably monitor contract performance and receive timely information as to whether a party is actually going to carry out their contractual obligations. Accordingly the invention provides an apparatus and methods for communicating the changes in states of the contractual commitments of contracting parties according to an agreed commitment model and using agreed messaging protocols. There is a storage facility for the commitment data which is accessible by an encoding engine, in addition to a commitment state store that forms a part of the commitment model and stores the known commitment state of parties. The encoding engine encodes commitment data according to the commitment model and data received by an external information source, before passing the message to a messaging module for formatting and sending out to the other contracting party.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an apparatus and method may receive parameters of an information technology (IT) infrastructure and formulate one or more IT recovery plans based on the parameters. The apparatus and method may further calculate a projected utility for one or more of the IT recovery plans based on one or more contractual agreements.

Abstract: International business requires contractual relations to be established across jurisdictions. Different jurisdictions have different laws, customs, languages and obligations concerning contractual relations. Thus a standard contract can rarely be used across different jurisdictions. Using a contract template and processing this with a mapping database using a conversion engine, enables substantially automated localisation of a contract template to be achieved. This significantly reduces the cost and effort to enter a new market.

Abstract: It is often difficult to reliably monitor contract performance and receive timely information as to whether a party is actually going to carry out their contractual obligations. Accordingly the invention provides an apparatus and methods for communicating the changes in states of the contractual commitments of contracting parties according to an agreed commitment model and using agreed messaging protocols. There is a storage facility for the commitment data which is accessible by an encoding engine, in addition to a commitment state store that forms a part of the commitment model and stores the known commitment state of parties. The encoding engine encodes commitment data according to the commitment model and data received by an external information source, before passing the message to a messaging module for formatting and sending out to the other contracting party.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for facilitating management of a plurality of inter-related contracts, which apparatus comprises:

Abstract: At present, there does not seem to be an expedient and reliable automated way of constructing contracts as existing automated systems only allow the searching and cross-referencing of documents. They do not cater for the process of constructing a contract. Accordingly the invention provides an apparatus and automated method of drafting contracts in a structured model-based manner, re-using existing information. A drafting tool assigns appropriate values to descriptors as defined by a chosen formal contract model. A formatter downloads a layout model and tools from a modeller for creating a structured textual contract on the basis of a contract image stored in an image repository. Reference tags generated by an encoder are used for associating the descriptors of the formal contract to the descriptors of the structured textual contract. The encoder then assembles the required contract according to the descriptors using the drafting tool.

Abstract: The invention provides electronic document interpretation apparatus for providing explanatory text to assist in the interpretation of an electronic formal legal document with narrative language text, said apparatus comprising a database of explanatory and/or commentary text in records associated with textual elements of the said document, and a first processor operable to allow a user to read and/or write selected ones of said records whilst reading or writing the legal document. Also provided is an electronic formal legal document comprising a textual element and a tag associated with the said textual element, the said tag providing a link to reproducible explanatory or commentary text relating to the said textual element.

Abstract: It is often difficult to reliably monitor contract performance and receive timely information as to whether a client is actually going to carry out its contractual obligations. Accordingly the invention proposes a method and apparatus for binding business protocols to abstract actions defined in an e-contract. This allows one to separate the creation of business protocols from their regulation. Consequently, e-contracts are published independently from business processes. The binding is achieved by following a binding protocol where an agreement is reached as to how contract actions will be represented concretely by business processes and, in addition, an advisal protocol is defined which allows participants to declare that a stream of messages of a business protocol corresponds to contract action. This allows a third party to monitor the interaction without having to understand the business protocol agreed between primary participants and perform an auxiliary function such as data storage.

Abstract: International business requires contractual relations to be established across jurisdictions. Different jurisdictions have different laws, customs, languages and obligations concerning contractual relations. Thus a standard contract can rarely be used across different jurisdictions. Using a contract template and processing this with a mapping database using a conversion engine, enables substantially automated localisation of a contract template to be achieved. This significantly reduces the cost and effort to enter a new market.