Abstract: A method and system for selection of a task in proportion to a desired distribution. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention discloses a method and system for selecting a task associated with a visiting customer to a web site over a communication network. The customer is assigned to a segment of a target customer base that most closely resembles the customer's characteristics. A plurality of tasks is associated with the segment and can be expressed as a distribution of tasks performed. A current distribution of tasks is determined. The task which provides a new distribution that is closest to a desired distribution of the plurality of tasks is selected to be performed. In one embodiment, the task to be performed is the offering of an advertising promotion to the customer over the communication network.

Abstract: A tool receives parameters relating to target enterprise objective of an enterprise, the cost of an enterprise resource associated with the enterprise, and an enterprise resource capacity. The tool calculates an amount of an enterprise resource to be assigned in an enterprise based on the received parameters relating to the target enterprise objective, the enterprise resource cost, and the enterprise resource capacity.

Abstract: A method for server consolidation is provided. The method includes collecting performance data of a plurality of source servers in a desired environment, selecting a group of one or more source servers from the plurality of source servers for consolidation, marking each source server in the with one of multiple usability statuses with one of such statuses indicates the marked source server is to be replaced or reused as necessary in the server consolidation, selecting a target platform for a new server, and performing a first server consolidation analysis of the first group based at least on the collected performance data, the initial usability status of each source server in the first group, and the first selected target platform.

Abstract: A method for server consolidation is provided. The method includes collecting performance data of a plurality of source servers in a desired environment, selecting a group of one or more source servers from the plurality of source servers for consolidation, marking each source server in the with one of multiple usability statuses with one of such statuses indicates the marked source server is to be replaced or reused as necessary in the server consolidation, selecting a target platform for a new server, and performing a first server consolidation analysis of the first group based at least on the collected performance data, the initial usability status of each source server in the first group, and the first selected target platform.

Abstract: A method for server consolidation is provided. The method includes accessing performance data of a plurality of source servers, receiving multiple consolidation parameters for a desired target server, receiving selected configurations for a new target server, computing a minimum number of target servers required to consolidate the plurality of source servers based at least on the performance data, the selected configurations for the desired target server, and the multiple consolidation parameters, and deriving a bin-packing solution to the server consolidation based at least on the performance data, the selected configurations for the new target server, and the minimum number for the one or more performance metrics.

Abstract: Methods, machines, systems and machine-readable instructions for producing marketing items are described. In one aspect, a user is prompted to specify campaign parameters, including one or more campaign topics, defining a scope of the campaign. The user is prompted to specify for each of the one or more campaign topics a corresponding set of one or more attributes of intended recipients of the marketing campaign. The one or more specified campaign topics are associated to respective sets of targeted recipients selected from a database of records of potential recipients based on mappings of the respective sets of recipient attributes to the campaign topics and the specified campaign parameters defining the scope of the marketing campaign. For each of the targeted recipients, a respective marketing item containing a respective set of one or more contents matched to the campaign topic associated to the targeted recipient is composed.

Abstract: User input regarding a target system on which a software application is to be deployed is received. A benchmark system from plural candidate benchmark systems is matched to the target system. An estimated performance of the software application on the target system or an estimated utilization of resources of the target system by the software application is computed based on information relating to the matched benchmark system.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a state description associated with a system having a component. The method further comprises automatically obtaining a substantially optimal parameterization for the component based on one or more operant characteristics of the component predicted by a behavior prediction model using combinations of the system's state description and a set of possible parameterizations for the component.

Abstract: A system and method employing an allocation process for determining the number of server machines at each tier of a multiple tiered server system. The allocation process evaluates the number of server machines at each tier sufficient to achieve an average response time of a transaction request to be processed by the server system in response to changes in the average number of transaction requests. The allocation process also identifies shadow pricing enabling analysis of the cost associated with incremental changes in the average response time or other critical system resources.

Abstract: A tool receives parameters relating to target enterprise objective of an enterprise, the cost of an enterprise resource associated with the enterprise, and an enterprise resource capacity. The tool calculates an amount of an enterprise resource to be assigned in an enterprise based on the received parameters relating to the target enterprise objective, the enterprise resource cost, and the enterprise resource capacity.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for planning workforce resources. One method includes defining workforce supply and uncertain workforce demand for plural different service projects using a set of skills that are preferred to complete the plural different service projects; and calculating costs to hire new employees having the set of skills versus costs to train existing employees to have the set of skills.

Abstract: A computer-executable method provides plural constraints representing corresponding objectives of an enterprise, where the objectives are related to members of the enterprise's portfolio. A model is provided for selecting the members of the portfolio, where the model contains the plural constraints. The model is solved to select the members of the portfolio.

Abstract: A method for action selection based upon an objective of an outcome relative to a subject. In one embodiment, a training set is obtained that contains attributes of a subject. In the present embodiment, a best behavioral model for predicting an outcome when a subject has an action applied is calculated. The training set is mapped to the best behavioral model. The mapping provides a base from which a random sub-sample is acquired. In the present embodiment, a random sub-sample of the training set and the best behavioral model is then selected. This random sub-sample reduces the computational requirements when determining an optimized strategy. The optimized strategy provides an optimal action relative to the subject for the objective of the outcome. In one embodiment, the subject is a customer of a business entity, enabled to interact with the customer, and an action is a promotion offered by the business entity.

Abstract: The invention real time electronic service interaction management system and method facilitates presentation of information that increases the probability of desirable target interaction. Desirable target interaction includes metrics associated with campaign objectives (e.g., maximize profits) and constraints (e.g., budget constraints). The system and method automatically develops interaction motivation plans that determine a stimulation action (e.g., information presented to a target). A motivation interaction plan is a procedure utilized to determine a stimulation action to present to a target with specific attributes under certain system attributes. The present invention adaptively optimizes and tests interaction motivation plans to permit automated learning about target individual interaction activities and accordingly modify interaction motivation plans in both real time and over the lifetime of a campaign.

Abstract: A product demand forecasting system includes a profile extractor that generates a demand profile of a new product yet to be introduced based on demand profiles of similar products already introduced. The profile extractor normalizes and averages the demand profiles of the similar products to obtain the demand profile of the new product. The forecasting system also includes a life-cycle demand predictor that generates a total life-cycle demand of the new product based on historical demand data of the similar products. A forecast creator is then coupled to the profile extractor and the demand predictor to generate a life-cycle demand forecast for the new product based on the demand profile and total life-cycle demand of the new product. A method of providing a life-cycle product demand forecast for a new product yet to be introduced is also described.

Abstract: A method to define an optimal integrated action plan for procurement, manufacturing, and marketing is disclosed. In one method embodiment, the present invention accesses materials planning parameters. The present invention further accesses pricing parameters. The present invention then evaluates the materials planning parameters and the pricing parameters in conjunction to define an optimal integrated action plan for marketing and manufacturing. This plan describes procurement amounts, manufacturing amounts, and pricing for end products.

Abstract: A method for action selection based upon an objective of an outcome relative to a subject. In one embodiment, a training set is obtained that contains attributes of a subject. In the present embodiment, a best behavioral model for predicting an outcome when a subject has an action applied is calculated. The training set is mapped to the best behavioral model. The mapping provides a base from which a random sub-sample is acquired. In the present embodiment, a random sub-sample of the training set and the best behavioral model is then selected. This random sub-sample reduces the computational requirements when determining an optimized strategy. The optimized strategy provides an optimal action relative to the subject for the objective of the outcome. In one embodiment, the subject is a customer of a business entity, enabled to interact with the customer, and an action is a promotion offered by the business entity.

Abstract: A method and system for selection of a task in proportion to a desired distribution. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention discloses a method and system for selecting a task associated with a visiting customer to a web site over a communication network. The customer is assigned to a segment of a target customer base that most closely resembles the customer's characteristics. A plurality of tasks is associated with the segment and can be expressed as a distribution of tasks performed. A current distribution of tasks is determined. The task which provides a new distribution that is closest to a desired distribution of the plurality of tasks is selected to be performed. In one embodiment, the task to be performed is the offering of an advertising promotion to the customer over the communication network.

Abstract: The invention real time electronic service interaction management system and method facilitates presentation of information that increases the probability of desirable target interaction. Desirable target interaction includes metrics associated with campaign objectives (e.g., maximize profits) and constraints (e.g., budget constraints). The system and method automatically develops interaction motivation plans that determine a stimulation action (e.g., information presented to a target). A motivation interaction plan is a procedure utilized to determine a stimulation action to present to a target with specific attributes under certain system attributes. The present invention adaptively optimizes and tests interaction motivation plans to permit automated learning about target individual interaction activities and accordingly modify interaction motivation plans in both real time and over the lifetime of a campaign.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting the class membership of a record where information for one or more variables in the record is missing. Multiple classification trees are generated. A first classification tree is computed using a substantially complete set of information for all of the variables. Other classification trees are computed for different subsets of the variables. Variables are selected for inclusion in a subset based on how strongly they influence the prediction of class membership. The first classification tree (based on the substantially complete set of information) is applied to a record with missing information. If missing information is needed by this tree in order to classify the record, another classification tree that is not based on the missing variable is selected. The class membership for a record with information missing is predicted more accurately without substantially increasing the complexity of the prediction.