Abstract: In a hierarchical multiple-node supply chain, a commodity is sold a first time at a first end of the supply chain and is resold multiple times across the supply chain before being sold a final time at a second end of the supply chain opposite the first end. A user who is a buyer and/or a seller within the supply chain is interacted with by exchanging text messages with a mobile phone device of the user to provide the user with a current price of the commodity for a type of the user within the supply chain, and to receive from the user an actual price of the commodity in a current transaction in which the user was involved. The type of the user includes a node within the supply chain to which the user corresponds.

Abstract: A system and method of generating for display on a computer device, a resource utilization and efficiency value of a residence or business comprises: monitoring at least one energy using device associated with the residence or business for obtaining operating data; analyzing the operating data obtained during a predetermined interval of time for obtaining a value of energy used by the at least one energy using device; calculating an efficiency value from the value of energy used during the predetermined interval of time; and using the efficiency value to create a computer generated image that represents the calculated efficiency value for a predetermined interval of time for display on the computer device.