Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing catalog information that can include tracking and reporting search terms used for catalog items searches. According to one embodiment, a procurement application can maintain a log of unique search phrases which returned no search results. For example, the log can maintain records from a specific time period. A count can be maintained to capture how many times a phrase was used for search within the specific time period, and used to rank the frequency of the search phrases. Search phrases that exceed that time period may be purged. The accumulated counts and associated search terms can be provided to the managers periodically and/or upon request in the form of a summary or other graphical and/or textual report or presentation.

Abstract: Techniques for aiding individuals in managing work activities. In one set of embodiments, information about work activities for an individual is received from a plurality of different business applications. The work activities relate to business transactions facilitated by the plurality of different business applications. Calendar entries are then generated for each work activity based on the received information, and presented in a calendar of the individual. In various embodiments, the calendar entries are generated automatically (i.e., without human intervention). By focusing on the time sequence in which work activities should be addressed, embodiments of the present invention enable individuals to quickly and efficiently prioritize and carry out their pending work activities, thereby improving the operational efficiency of an enterprise.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing catalog information that can include tracking and reporting search terms used for catalog items searches. According to one embodiment, a procurement application can maintain a log of unique search phrases which returned no search results. For example, the log can maintain records from a specific time period. A count can be maintained to capture how many times a phrase was used for search within the specific time period, and used to rank the frequency of the search phrases. Search phrases that exceed that time period may be purged. The accumulated counts and associated search terms can be provided to the managers periodically and/or upon request in the form of a summary or other graphical and/or textual report or presentation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a computer-implemented method for supplier update of a procurement system. The method includes providing a customizable procurement entity to a supplier, receiving a modified procurement entity from the supplier, wherein the modified procurement entity comprises an update made by the supplier to the customizable procurement entity, reviewing and approving the modified procurement entity, and publishing the modified procurement entity to the procurement system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a computer-implemented method for supplier update of a procurement system. The method includes providing a customizable procurement entity to a supplier, receiving a modified procurement entity from the supplier, wherein the modified procurement entity comprises an update made by the supplier to the customizable procurement entity, reviewing and approving the modified procurement entity, and publishing the modified procurement entity to the procurement system.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting shared procurement services in an enterprise application. According to one set of embodiments, associations between procurement service providers and procurement clients are stored, where the associations represent outsourcing relationships between these entities in the operational structure of an enterprise. The associations are then used by the application to facilitate the management of procurement-related content and the processing of procurement transactions. In one embodiment, the associations enable procurement-related content to be created/managed centrally by a procurement service provider and then made accessible to procurement clients serviced by the procurement service provider. In another embodiment, a rules-driven mechanism is provided for routing procurement requisitions from procurement clients to associated procurement service providers for processing.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting shared procurement services in an enterprise application. According to one set of embodiments, associations between procurement service providers and procurement clients are stored, where the associations represent outsourcing relationships between these entities in the operational structure of an enterprise. The associations are then used by the application to facilitate the management of procurement-related content and the processing of procurement transactions. In one embodiment, the associations enable procurement-related content to be created/managed centrally by a procurement service provider and then made accessible to procurement clients serviced by the procurement service provider. In another embodiment, a rules-driven mechanism is provided for routing procurement requisitions from procurement clients to associated procurement service providers for processing.

Abstract: Techniques for aiding individuals in managing work activities. In one set of embodiments, information about work activities for an individual is received from a plurality of different business applications. The work activities relate to business transactions facilitated by the plurality of different business applications. Calendar entries are then generated for each work activity based on the received information, and presented in a calendar of the individual. In various embodiments, the calendar entries are generated automatically (i.e., without human intervention). By focusing on the time sequence in which work activities should be addressed, embodiments of the present invention enable individuals to quickly and efficiently prioritize and carry out their pending work activities, thereby improving the operational efficiency of an enterprise.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and apparatus for determining availability information for a first one of a plurality of products for publication via a wide area network. The availability information is calculated with reference to a delivery date, an available number of units, and a reserved number of units, the delivery date having been specified by a user via the network, the available number of units having been determined with reference to inventory information, and the reserved number of units having been determined with reference to current order information.

Abstract: A technique for effecting electronic commerce using a data network is described. The data network includes a plurality of subsystems which, together, form an integrated system for receiving customer orders for selected items via a data network, fulfilling the customer orders, and delivering the ordered products to the customers. Moreover, according to a specific embodiment, the integrated nature of the system architecture of the present invention allows the on-line merchant to provide a guarantee to the customer that the ordered items will be available to be delivered to the customer at the specified delivery date, time, and location.

Abstract: A technique for effecting electronic commerce using a data network is described. The data network includes a plurality of subsystems which, together, form an integrated system for receiving customer orders for selected items via a data network, fulfilling the customer orders, and delivering the ordered products to the customers. Moreover, according to a specific embodiment, the integrated nature of the system architecture of the present invention allows the on-line merchant to provide a guarantee to the customer that the ordered items will be available to be delivered to the customer at the specified delivery date, time, and location.

Abstract: A technique for effecting electronic commerce using a data network is described. The data network includes a plurality of subsystems which, together, form an integrated system for receiving customer orders for selected items via a data network, fulfilling the customer orders, and delivering the ordered products to the customers. Moreover, according to a specific embodiment, the integrated nature of the system architecture of the present invention allows the on-line merchant to provide a guarantee to the customer that the ordered items will be available to be delivered to the customer at the specified delivery date, time, and location.