Abstract: A method and system for classifying small collections of hi-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a system and a computer program for managing services of human resources. The method comprises the steps of modeling human resources delivery services from a services provider to a client company to determine outputs from inputs and constraints; and constructing an objective function representative of services resources at said services provider. The method also comprises the steps of determining optimum levels of human resources based on said modeling, said constraints, and said objective function; and allocating said human resources based upon said optimum levels. Preferably, said optimum levels of resources are determined over tiers, sites and time periods. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a system and a method for resource allocation on BTO projects. This preferred system includes an optimization model, along with its inputs and outputs. This system may be used to address dynamic client needs before and during BTO projects.

Abstract: A method of managing capacity in a business process on demand for providing a service to a service requester. The method comprises the steps of providing a business process having one or more service inputs, at least one service output, at least one capacity constraint having a capacity level and a queue located ahead of the capacity constraint having an upper queue threshold and a lower queue threshold. The method further comprises gathering with a performance monitoring subsystem a set of business process data, and adjusting with a capacity management subsystem the capacity level of the capacity constraint in response to the set of business process data gathered by the performance monitoring subsystem.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and computer program for managing multiple projects. The method comprises the steps of defining a plurality of projects requiring resources, each of said projects having a project manager; and managing said resources with resource buffers and replenishment times. Said replenishment times are incorporated by said project manager, into resource view plans for said plurality of projects. The preferred embodiment of the invention employs a technique called Replenishment to manage resources when Critical Chain (CC) is used on diverse projects. This embodiment of the invention overcomes problems with the Strategic Resource approach by (1) not requiring identification of a common strategic resource, (2) providing heuristics to determine how much spare capacity to provide for each resource type, and (3) allowing projects to be started or completed on demand.

Abstract: In order to apply and incorporate Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) concepts into a service enterprise environment, the present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable medium that expands DBR through the use of simulation of service activities. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method includes the steps of: creating a DBR for Services (DBRS) model of a service process; simulating the service process by populating the DBRS model with user-selected values for a constraint drum, a pre-constraint buffer, a service level rope, and a constraint rope, and determining if the service process will be in compliance with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) based on a DBRS simulation of the service process.

Abstract: A method of social interaction between communication device users across a network (14, 16), the method including: at a first communication device (18, 20), selecting a user communication group of a communication group type corresponding to one of: (a) a known user; (b) a group of users with a previously established relationship; or (c) a group of users with no previously established relationship; and communicating with users in the selected communication group.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for optimizing managed business processes, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for optimizing vendor payroll services. A method for allocating outsourced business processes among a plurality of performing entities includes defining a hierarchy of goals from a subset of data input to an optimization tool embodied in a computer infrastructure, wherein the data includes constraints, and iteratively running the optimization tool based on the data and the hierarchy. The method also includes relaxing at least one of the constraints to generate a solution that satisfies the data and the hierarchy, and outputting the solution.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code includes storing collected data representative of service recipient attributes in multiple countries and storing collected data representative of at least one shared service center's (SSC's) attributes. Additionally, the method includes performing a feasibility analysis to determine if one or more SSCs are feasible to provide an indication of one or more feasible SSCs.

Abstract: A method includes collecting quantifying data to quantify each activity of a process, consolidating the quantifying data into a process record in a central location, and creating a process view from the process record. The process view includes at least an indication of a timing and duration of each activity of the process.

Abstract: A system and method of managing business process calendars. A method of managing a process includes defining at least one process to be performed by a first entity for at least one second entity, and associating a first subset of a plurality of tasks of the at least one process with the first entity. The method further includes associating a second subset of the plurality of tasks with the at least one second entity, and creating a process calendar based upon the at least one process and the plurality of tasks. The method additionally includes displaying the process calendar.

Abstract: A system for classifying small collections of high-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: A technique for classifying small collections of high-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying small collections of hi-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: In order to apply and incorporate Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) concepts into a service enterprise environment, the present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable medium that expands DBR through the use of simulation of service activities. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method includes the steps of: creating a DBR for Services (DBRS) model of a service process; simulating the service process by populating the DBRS model with user-selected values for a constraint drum, a pre-constraint buffer, a service level rope, and a constraint rope, and determining if the service process will be in compliance with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) based on a DBRS simulation of the service process.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for analyzing contact studies for a call service center is presented. The method includes the steps of: acquiring data instances of a Collector tool from all persons monitoring contacts at a call service center during a given study period; retrieving a study design from a Planner tool to verify that acquired data instances conform to the study design; selecting data parameters for the acquired data instances, wherein the data parameters describe multiple features of the acquired data; automatically selecting an appropriate chart format that is appropriate for measurement units used by the data parameters; and creating a chart using the appropriate chart format and the data parameters. The steps in the method may all be automatically performed by an Analyzer logic.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying small collections of high-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying small collections of high value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying small collections of high-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium that includes: inputting a Throughput (T), an Investment (I) and an Operating Expense (OE) into a Throughput Accounting logic to create performance measures, resource measures, decision support measures and control measures; storing the performance measures, resource measures, decision support measures and control measures in a database; and inputting queries and contents of the database into a decision support logic to create a supported decisions output.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying small collections of hi-value entities with missing data. The invention includes: collecting measurement variables for a set of entity cases for which classifications are known; calibrating standard weights for each measurement variable based on historical data; computing compensating weights for each entity case that has missing data, computing case scores for each of one or more dimensions as a sum-product of compensating weights and variables associated with each dimension; executing an iterative process that finds a specific combination of compensation weights that best classify the entity cases in terms of distinct scores; and applying a resulting model, which is determined by the specific combination of compensation weights, to classify other entity cases for which the classifications are unknown.