Abstract: A benefit management system and method provides a portal-based information management and collaborative business process application. Preferably, the system and method is focused at the benefit broker/consultant and is configured to capture employee benefit management data, such as demographic data and plan data. Further, preferably, one or more users are provided with customized user access to the centralized application for use in performing one or more various benefit plan management functions, such as, for example, marketing, plan design; enrollment; administration; and communication between one or more application users.

Abstract: A benefit management system and method provides a portal-based information management and collaborative business process application. Preferably, the system and method is focused at the benefit broker/consultant and is configured to capture employee benefit management data, such as demographic data and plan data. Further, preferably, one or more users are provided with customized user access to the centralized application for use in performing one or more various benefit plan management functions, such as, for example, marketing, plan design; enrollment; administration; and communication between one or more application users.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for continuously blending a chemical solution for use in semiconductor processing. The method involves the step of: mixing a first chemical stream with a second chemical stream in a controlled manner, to form a stream of a solution having a predetermined formulation. The apparatus allows one to practice the above method. The method and apparatus can accurately provide chemical solutions of desired concentration in a continuous manner. The invention has particular applicability in semiconductor device fabrication.

Abstract: A benefit management system and method provides a portal-based information management and collaborative business process application. Preferably, the system and method is focused at the benefit broker/consultant and is configured to capture employee benefit management data, such as demographic data and plan data. Further, preferably, one or more users are provided with customized user access to the centralized application for use in performing one or more various benefit plan management functions, such as, for example, marketing, plan design; enrollment; administration; and communication between one or more application users.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit including a housing (10,11,13) within which is disposed a rotating cylinder barrel (25) driven by an input shaft (21). The housing means includes an end cap (13) disposed adjacent the end (45) of the cylinder barrel, with a valve plate (39) being disposed intermediate the of the barrel and an interior surface (65) of the end cap (13). The end cap defines a kidney port (59), a high pressure port (63), and a passage (61) interconnecting the kidney port and the high pressure port. In a configuration of the end cap which makes the pump compact, high pressure in the passage can cause deformation of a portion (69) of the end cap. To accommodate such deformation, the valve plate (39) is provided with a relieved area (71) disposed immediately adjacent the deformation portion (69).