Abstract: The present invention provides discrete, depleting chips for allocating computational resources for obtaining desired service level characteristics, wherein discrete chips deplete from a maximum allocated amount but may, in an optional implementation, be allowed to be replenished through the purchase of additional chips. A number of chips are assigned to a requestor/party, known as a business unit (BU), which could be a department, or group providing like-functionality services. In one implementation, the chips themselves could represent base monetary units integrated over time.

Abstract: A system and method for real world biometric analytics through the use of a multimodal analytic wallet. The system includes a biometric wallet comprising a pervasive repository for storing biometric data, the pervasive repository including at least one of a biometric layer, a genomic layer, a health layer, a privacy layer, and a processing layer. The biometric wallet further comprises a biometric analytic interface configured to communicate the biometric data to one or more devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a workload optimization approach that measures workload performance across combinations of hardware (platform, network configuration, storage configuration, etc.) and operating systems, and which provides a workload placement on the platforms where jobs perform most efficiently. This type of placement may be based on performance measurements (e.g., throughput, response, and other such service levels), but it can also be based on other factors such as power consumption or reliability. In a typical embodiment, ideal platforms are identified for handling workloads based on performance measurements and any applicable service level agreement (SLA) terms.

Abstract: A method and system of providing advertising to a moving target vehicle. At least one sensor device coupled to a moving advertising vehicle detecting a parameter associated with the moving target vehicle. The detected parameter is received by a global positioning system (GPS) device. Advertising content data pertaining to a topic associated with identification data is obtained. The topic was determined from matching identification data associated with the detected parameter to advertising correlation data. The identification data was determined from matching the detected parameter to data in a personal database. Vehicle data is determined by the at least one sensor device and/or the GPS device in the advertising vehicle. Display of the advertising content data is initiated on a display device in the advertising vehicle to display the advertising content data to the target vehicle according to at least one display parameter that is based on the vehicle data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach for prioritizing a set of data packets associated with an application running in a networked computing environment. An SLA associated with a particular application and at least one other SLA associated with at least one other application are accessed. A proposed modification to a priority of a set of data packets associated with the particular application is then determined based on a comparison of a current performance of the set of data packets versus a specified performance of the set of data packets as set forth in the SLA. An effect of the proposed modification on a capability of the particular application to meet a set of terms of the SLA, and of the at least one other application to meet terms of the at least one other SLA will be evaluated. It will then be determined whether to implement the proposed modification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information.

Abstract: A computer system displays a first window corresponding to an aspect of a first executing program in a first display area on one or more display devices. The computer system identifies an activity of a second program. The computer system determines whether the activity of the second program meets a threshold of priority. In response to determining that the activity meets the threshold, the computer system manipulates the first window such that the display area can be distributed, at least partially, between the first window and a second window corresponding to the activity of the second program. The computer system displays the second window with the first window within the display area.

Abstract: A system and method to visualize activities through the use of avatars. The system includes a display engine configured to display at least one automated activity as an avatar. The system also includes a management system configured to monitor the progress of the at least one automated activity and alter at least one of an appearance and a movement of the avatar in relation to the progress of the at least one automated activity.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for transmitting configuration item data by a network object within a network. The steps include the network object detecting a change; the network object detecting an amount of traffic within the network; the network object transmitting configuration item data to the network at a level based on the amount of traffic present within the network. If all of the configuration item data was not sent and the network object detects that the amount of network traffic within the network is below a determined amount, the network object transmits remaining configuration item data to the network; and if all configuration item data was sent, returns to the step of the network object detecting a change.

Abstract: This invention outlines a method that distributes the decision-making process according to the application owners' needs, through the use of chip management and brokering technologies in an auction-like environment which allows for very fluid business need changes. This disclosure describes a master framework for a family of disclosures which allows consumers to more efficiently obtain, modify, and utilize computing resources from providers. These elemental biddable resources are obtained through several brokering algorithms and associated winning bid strategies which redefine how applications and businesses can receive the most appropriate service for the least cost, at the most appropriate interval. The resource management framework includes business units, buyer's agents, resource unit brokers, resource unit capacity planners, and resource allocation software, and an optional change and configuration manager.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach for dynamically acquiring computing resources in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment) based on infrastructure/computing resource needs. In a typical embodiment, a set of computing resources (needed to process a set of workloads) external to a first portion of a networked computing environment is identified. Once identified, electronic negotiations with at least one provider of the set of computing resources may be held for utilizing the provider's set of computing resources to process the set of workloads. In general, the negotiations are based on at least one resource registration (setting forth terms for utilizing the set of computing resources such as usage rates, usage limitations, etc.) associated with the at least one provider stored in at least one computer data structure. Responsive to successful completion of the negotiations, the set of computing resources will be associated with the first portion.

Abstract: A method includes establishing an ad-hoc network between a borrower and at least two lenders of bandwidth and establishing one lender of the at least two lenders as a multiplexer to manage data flow over the ad-hoc network between the borrower and lenders of the at least two lenders of bandwidth. The method may include providing a computer infrastructure to perform the steps of the invention. A system is also provided which includes a server having a database containing data associated with one or more lenders and a borrower in an ad-hoc network and at least one hardware and/or software component. The system may further include computer usable medium having readable program code embodied in the medium to perform processes of the invention.

Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product handles trouble tickets in a service unit. Friend members of a social network group to which a proxy Subject Matter Expert (SME) belongs are identified. Areas of expertise, which include expertise in a particular subject, that are held by the friend members of the social network group are identified, and then associated with the proxy SME. A trouble ticket related to the particular subject is received, and a primary SME that personally has a level of expertise to handle the trouble ticket is identified. In response to the primary SME being unavailable, the trouble ticket is transmitted to the proxy SME for handling by one or more of the friend members from the social network group to which the proxy SME belongs.

Abstract: A method and/or computer program product locally manages configuration item (CI) information on CI systems. A request is received for authorized CI information that describes an authorized change to be made to a particular CI system. In response to receiving the request for the authorized CI information, a ticketing system searches a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) stub database for a location of a CI to be changed according to the authorized change to the particular CI system, where the CMDB stub database contains no CIs, and where the CMDB stub database contains a location of CI systems in which CIs are locally stored. One or more processors initiates the authorized change to the particular CI system requested by the request, and updates, by the particular CI system, the CI in the particular CI system to reflect the authorized change to the particular CI system.

Abstract: A system and method for real world biometric analytics through the use of a multimodal analytic wallet. The system includes a biometric wallet comprising a pervasive repository for storing biometric data, the pervasive repository including at least one of a biometric layer, a genomic layer, a health layer, a privacy layer, and a processing layer. The biometric wallet further comprises a biometric analytic interface configured to communicate the biometric data to one or more devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides discrete, depleting chips for allocating computational resources for obtaining desired service level characteristics, wherein discrete chips deplete from a maximum allocated amount but may, in an optional implementation, be allowed to be replenished through the purchase of additional chips. A number of chips are assigned to a requestor/party, known as a business unit (BU), which could be a department, or group providing like-functionality services. In one implementation, the chips themselves could represent base monetary units integrated over time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to repair vulnerabilities (e.g., security vulnerabilities) in images (e.g., application images) in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, an image is checked for vulnerabilities using a database of known images and/or vulnerabilities. If a vulnerability is found, a flexible/elastic firewall is established around the image so as to isolate the vulnerability. Once the firewall has been put in place, the vulnerability can be repaired by a variety of means such as upgrading the image, quarantining the image, discarding the image, and/or generating a new image. Once the image has been repaired, the firewall can be removed.

Abstract: An approach that provides assigning and tracking inter-Cloud operational transactions within a Cloud computing environment in order to meter Cloud resource usage when processing a Cloud service request. In one embodiment, there is a Cloud usage and accounting tool, including a route management component configured to define and manage the physical implementation of delineation points between Clouds. The Cloud usage and accounting tool further includes a workflow control component configured to track inter-Cloud operational transactions as they pass through the delineation points.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for dynamically modifying Quality of Service (QoS) levels for resources (e.g., applications, processes, services, etc.) running in a networked computing environment. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention dynamically adjust transport level networking QoS parameters based on associated service level agreements (SLA) term. In a typical embodiment, a set of service level requirements associated with a resource running in the networked computing environment will first be identified (e.g., in a computer data structure). Then, the set of service level requirements will be mapped to a set of QoS parameters associated with a transport layer of the networked computing environment. A current performance of the resource within the transport layer will then be determined. Once the current performance has been determined, it will be further determined whether the current performance meets the set of service level requirements.

Abstract: The present invention describes an approach for general management of a client desktop with respect to accessing Cloud services. Included are means for dynamically determining, viewing, organizing, and linking desktop objects to associated server side Cloud resources and services. Specifically, the present invention provides a mechanism whereby Cloud services can be automatically represented on a plurality of client systems (for example, laptops, desktops, PDAs, etc) complete with the ability for the underlying provider of those services to be dynamically mapped based on a user's profile. The user will see standard available services regardless of the provider.