Abstract: A method and system to monitor steps in a business process or complex tasks are described. The method may include displaying a graphical step monitor in a graphical user interface of an application, using a plurality of graphical elements indicating statuses of a plurality of steps in a sequence of steps in a process. The method may include receiving update information related to one or more steps of the plurality of steps. The method may also include updating the statuses of the steps for which the update information was received and as indicated by the plurality of graphical elements. Furthermore, the method may include displaying a description region including a further plurality of graphical elements and texts, the texts describing the steps, the statuses of which are indicated by the graphical elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is illustrated as including displaying an editing window, the editing window being a Graphical User Interface (GUI) used to design an application interface, associating a User Interface (UI) element with a layout element, and generating metadata, the metadata containing data illustrating the association between the UI element and the layout element. Further, another embodiment is illustrated as including receiving a service request relating to an application, the service request including a first set of rendering data illustrating a display area within which a first GUI relating to the application will be displayed, retrieving metadata, the metadata illustrating layout elements and associated UI elements relating to the first GUI, retrieving display logic associated with the metadata, retrieving business logic associated with the metadata, and generating the first GUI, wherein the first GUI is generated using the metadata, display logic and business logic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is illustrated as including assembling one or more User Interface (UI) elements as a single UI element in the form of a melting group and placing the single UI element into a melting group container, associating the container with a layout element, and generating metadata illustrating data relating to the container and the layout element. Further, this method may include separating the one or more UI elements using an item separation attribute and sizing the one or more UI elements using a sizing attribute, wherein the one or more UI elements include at least one of a container, table, graphic, item list box, explanatory text, textbox, button group, radio button group, or checkbox group. Additionally, the metadata may be formatted using an eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

Abstract: A method and system to provide contextual support data are described. The method may detect an event related to an object associated with an application and presented to a user in a first portion of an interface of the application. In response to detecting of the event, the method may locate support data related to the object, including using contextual information pertaining to the object and to the user. The method may present, in a second portion of the interface, the located support data related to the object. The detecting of the event may include a user interaction with the interface of the application. The contextual support system may include a user interface module, a detection module, a look-up module, a database and a database server. The support data may also be contextual to a person or an attribute of the person.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to improve workflow using worksets. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: providing a data object directed to a particular work role. The data object includes task data for performing the work role, portal environment data for presenting information to a user via a portal, and meta-data descriptive of the work role.

Abstract: A computer running executable code is operative to provide a floor plan for displaying a plurality of data objects. The method includes receiving a user input request for product information and retrieving a plurality of data objects from at least one object database. The object database may be local or remotely connection. The method, as may be implemented on the processing device, further includes recognizing a selected viewable tab of the central display floor plan and generating a visual output display including disposing the one or more data objects in predefined positions. The method includes determining a first object link to a previous output display and including the first object link in the visual output display. Thereby, the floor plan includes displaying the data objects and the dynamic navigation links.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to improve workflow using worksets. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: providing a data object directed to a particular work role. The data object includes task data for performing the work role, portal environment data for presenting information to a user via a portal, and meta-data descriptive of the work role.