Abstract: A request for quote (RFQ) engine (10) includes a data and metrics designer (22) that generates, in response to input from a user, a data and metrics model (42) for an RFQ template using a data and metrics meta-model (32). The RFQ engine (10) also includes a state transition designer (24) that generates, in response to input from the user, a state transition model (44) for the RFQ template using a state transition meta-model (34). Furthermore, the RFQ engine (10) includes a workflow designer (26) that generates, in response to input from the user, a user interface workflow (46) for the RFQ template using a workflow meta-model (36). In addition, the RFQ engine includes an execution engine (40) that executes the RFQ template that includes the data and metrics model (42) generated by the data and metrics designer (22), the state transition model (44) generated by the state transition designer (24), and the user interface workflow (46) generated by the workflow designer (26).

Abstract: An electronic commerce protocol stack includes a connectivity layer that receives business data from a first entity. The business data indicates that the destination of the business data is a second entity. The protocol stack also includes a translation layer that receives the business data and that translates the business data as appropriate for the second entity using one or more translation rules. The protocol stack also includes a semantic routing layer that receives the translated business data, determines the semantic meaning of at least a portion of the business data using one or more semantics rules, determines one or more appropriate destinations for the business data based on the semantic meaning, and communicates the business data the determined destinations to the connectivity layer. The connectivity layer communicates the business data to the determined destinations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.

Abstract: An electronic commerce protocol stack includes a connectivity layer that receives business data from a first entity. The business data indicates that the destination of the business data is a second entity. The protocol stack also includes a translation layer that receives the business data and that translates the business data as appropriate for the second entity using one or more translation rules. The protocol stack also includes a semantic routing layer that receives the translated business data, determines the semantic meaning of at least a portion of the business data using one or more semantics rules, determines one or more appropriate destinations for the business data based on the semantic meaning, and communicates the business data the determined destinations to the connectivity layer. The connectivity layer communicates the business data to the determined destinations.

Abstract: Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user.

Abstract: Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user.

Abstract: An electronic commerce protocol stack includes a connectivity layer that receives business data from a first entity. The business data indicates that the destination of the business data is a second entity. The protocol stack also includes a translation layer that receives the business data and that translates the business data as appropriate for the second entity using one or more translation rules. The protocol stack also includes a semantic routing layer that receives the translated business data, determines the semantic meaning of at least a portion of the business data using one or more semantics rules, determines one or more appropriate destinations for the business data based on the semantic meaning, and communicates the business data the determined destinations to the connectivity layer. The connectivity layer communicates the business data to the determined destinations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and user interfaces for gathering and using awareness information with common awareness functionality accessible to multiple applications are disclosed. Such systems, methods, and user interfaces may aggregate awareness information from multiple sources and provide awareness data and other derived information to multiple destinations. In some implementations, such systems and methods may provide additional functionality related to awareness information, such as common user interfaces that display awareness information or mechanisms for determining the relevance of particular pieces of awareness information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.

Abstract: A electronic commerce protocol stack includes a connectivity layer that receives business data from a first entity. The business data indicates that the destination of the business data is a second entity. The protocol stack also includes a translation layer that receives the business data and that translates the business data as appropriate for the second entity using one or more translation rules. The protocol stack also includes a semantic routing layer that receives the translated business data, determines the semantic meaning of at least a portion of the business data using one or more semantics rules, determines one or more appropriate destinations for the business data based on the semantic meaning, and communicates the business data and the determined destinations to the connectivity layer. The connectivity layer communicates the business data to the determined destinations.

Abstract: Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user.

Abstract: Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user.

Abstract: Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and user interfaces for gathering and using awareness information with common awareness functionality accessible to multiple applications are disclosed. Such systems, methods, and user interfaces may aggregate awareness information from multiple sources and provide awareness data and other derived information to multiple destinations. In some implementations, such systems and methods may provide additional functionality related to awareness information, such as common user interfaces that display awareness information or mechanisms for determining the relevance of particular pieces of awareness information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.

Abstract: Data files, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be accessed at a device that collaborates in a mesh. The mesh may include any number or type of devices that collaborate in a network. Data, applications and/or corresponding user interfaces may be stored within a core object that may be shared over the mesh. Information in the core object may be identified with a corresponding user such that a user may use any collaborating device in the mesh to access the information. In one example, the information is stored remotely from a device used to access the information. A remote source may store the desired information or may determine the storage location of the desired information in the mesh and may further provide the desired information to a corresponding user.

Abstract: A request for quote (RFQ) engine (10) includes a data and metrics designer (22) that generates, in response to input from a user, a data and metrics model (42) for an RFQ template using a data and metrics meta-model (32). The RFQ engine (10) also includes a state transition designer (24) that generates, in response to input from the user, a state transition model (44) for the RFQ template using a state transition meta-model (34). Furthermore, the RFQ engine (10) includes a workflow designer (26) that generates, in response to input from the user, a user interface workflow (46) for the RFQ template using a workflow meta-model (36). In addition, the RFQ engine includes an execution engine (40) that executes the RFQ template that includes the data and metrics model (42) generated by the data and metrics designer (22), the state transition model (44) generated by the state transition designer (24), and the user interface workflow (46) generated by the workflow designer (26).

Abstract: A computer implemented process for enterprise collaboration is provided. The process includes storing a set of predefined functions for a work flow to be performed at a plurality of distributed nodes. The process automatically interacts with the work flow at each of the distributed nodes to perform the predefined functions.

Abstract: An electronic marketplace system (10) operates on one or more computers that collectively facilitate marketplace interactions between one or more first participants (12, 14) and a second participant (14, 12). The system (10) receives feedback as to performance of the second participant (14, 12) from the first participants (12, 14) based on their interactions with the second participant (14, 12). The system (10) associates a participant-specific rating with the second participant (14, 12) based on the feedback received from a particular first participant (12, 14), the participant-specific rating of the second participant (14, 12) being specific to the first participant (12, 14), being independent of feedback received from other first participants (12, 14), and being stored in a profile maintained for the first participant (12, 14).