Abstract: A method of and system for managing on-demand service offerings in a service delivery chain. The method comprises the steps of a service provider announcing upfront capacity pricing, an on-demand premium structure, and an on-demand exercise structure; a service distributor committing to upfront capacity and to units of on-demand options; and the service provider provisioning a number of resources to the collection of service distributors. Preferably, the upfront capacity pricing includes three components. A first component is a price structure for capacity or resources to be purchased for immediate use, a second component is an on-demand premium structure, and a third component is an on-demand usage fee structure.

Abstract: A method of and system for managing on-demand service offerings in a service delivery chain. The method comprises the steps of a service provider announcing upfront capacity pricing, an on-demand premium structure, and an on-demand exercise structure; a service distributor committing to upfront capacity and to units of on-demand options; and the service provider provisioning a number of resources to the collection of service distributors. Preferably, the upfront capacity pricing includes three components. A first component is a price structure for capacity or resources to be purchased for immediate use, a second component is an on-demand premium structure, and a third component is an on-demand usage fee structure.

Abstract: A method of and system for managing on-demand service offerings in a service delivery chain. The method comprises the steps of a service provider announcing upfront capacity pricing, an on-demand premium structure, and an on-demand exercise structure; a service distributor committing to upfront capacity and to units of on-demand options; and the service provider provisioning a number of resources to the collection of service distributors. Preferably, the upfront capacity pricing includes three components. A first component is a price structure for capacity or resources to be purchased for immediate use, a second component is an on-demand premium structure, and a third component is an on-demand usage fee structure.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for managing supply chain risk are provided. The apparatus, system and method identify which components are most critical to the assembly of the final product, in terms of placing the largest amount of revenue or profit at risk. The impact on profit and revenue of the failure to effectively deliver one or more of these critical products along one or more of the dimensions of quantity, time, space, or quality, is then quantified. The revenue and profit distribution from the supply chain is characterized given a projected distribution supply uncertainty, taking into consideration that input products are only useful if all of the BOM components are present. The revenue at risk is then determined. From the set of possible final products that can be produced, the portfolio of final products with the best risk-return characteristics are determined. Efficient hedges may then be developed.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting or otherwise facilitating a transaction or request involving a product. A transaction or request involving a product is decomposed or broken down into two or more secondary transactions or requests involving the product. Thus, for an initial transaction, a set of two or more secondary transactions is established that take place instead of the initial transaction. A transaction may involve the purchase or sale of a product at one or more marketplaces. If an initial transaction or request can or is to be conducted within a given period, then some or all of the secondary transactions also may occur within the given time period. Some or all of the secondary transactions or requests may be conducted at the same marketplace or at different marketplaces.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for facilitating the sale of an item in an auction involving a plurality of participants includes identifying a bid for the item, the bid made by one of the participants. A desired configuration associated with the bid is then identified. The bid is modified to reflect the desired configuration. A status of the auction is updated based on the modified bid.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting a two-sided auction include defining a plurality of transformation functions available for use in the auction. A bid for an item offered in the auction is received, and at least one transformation function is identified, based at least in part on the bid or the buyer or the seller. The selected transformation function is applied to the bid to produce a transformed bid, and a state of the auction is updated based on the transformed bid. An offer for an item offered in the auction is received, and at least one transformation function is identified, based at least in part on the offer or the seller. The selected transformation function is applied to the offer to produce a transformed offer, and a state of the auction is updated based on the transformed offer.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for establishing customized financing terms includes identifying a bid for an item, identifying a financing function associated with a participant, and applying the financing function to the bid to generate a transformed bid reflecting customized financing terms.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for personalized dynamic pricing in an auction involving a plurality of participants is provided. A bid for an item is identified. A transformation function associated with the bid is then identified and applied to the bid to produce a transformed bid. According to one embodiment, a state of the auction is updated based on the transformed bid. Status data representing the state of the auction may then be generated and presented to one or more participants in the auction.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting a buy-side auction includes defining a plurality of transformation functions available for use in the auction. An offer to sell the item requested in the auction is received from a seller, and at least one transformation function is identified, based at least in part on the offer or the seller. The selected transformation function is applied to the offer to produce a transformed offer, and a state of the auction is updated based on the transformed offer.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting a sell-side auction process includes defining a plurality of transformation functions available for use in the auction. A bid for the item offered in the auction is received, and at least one transformation function is identified, based at least in part on the bid or the buyer. The selected transformation function is applied to the bid to produce a transformed bid, and a state of the auction is updated based on the transformed bid.

Abstract: An auction is conducted by receiving, from a participant, a request for an item. An auction for the item is identified and a bid for the item is received from the participant. The received bid is forwarded to an auction for the item. In some embodiments, a transformation function associated with the participant is identified and applied to the bid to produce a transformed bid. The transformation function reflects different information about participants, the items, or the auctions (e.g, participants from different industries or from different countries).

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for managing supply chain risk are provided. The apparatus, system and method identify which components are most critical to the assembly of the final product, in terms of placing the largest amount of revenue or profit at risk. The impact on profit and revenue of the failure to effectively deliver one or more of these critical products along one or more of the dimensions of quantity, time, space, or quality, is then quantified. The revenue and profit distribution from the supply chain is characterized given a projected distribution supply uncertainty, taking into consideration that input products are only useful if all of the BOM components are present. The revenue at risk is then determined. From the set of possible final products that can be produced, the portfolio of final products with the best risk-return characteristics are determined. Efficient hedges may then be developed.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting a transaction where one or more rules may be applied when an entity is conducting the transaction. Rules may vary by entity, product, transaction and/or the marketplace where the transaction is being conducted.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for conducting or otherwise facilitating a transaction or request involving a product. A transaction or request involving a product is decomposed or broken down into two or more secondary transactions or requests involving the product. Thus, for an initial transaction, a set of two or more secondary transactions is established that take place instead of the initial transaction. A transaction may involve the purchase or sale of a product at one or more marketplaces. If an initial transaction or request can or is to be conducted within a given period, then some or all of the secondary transactions also may occur within the given time period. Some or all of the secondary transactions or requests may be conducted at the same marketplace or at different marketplaces.