Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic guiding device having a stator and a slide movable along a guiding direction relative to the stator, the stator and the slide being magnetized or magnetizable such that a magnetic field extending through the stator and the slide generates a magnetic supporting force on the slide acting along the guiding direction. To improve the running properties of the slide by avoiding differential slip, jerking and varying friction, according to the invention, the magnetic field extending through the stator and the slide simultaneously generates a magnetic pretensioning force which urges the slide and the stator against each other.

Abstract: A computer system may create version records in a versioned database that stores data from transaction documents. Each version record may include a timestamp that represents a time from which the data stored in the version record is valid. The timestamp may represent the time of creation of particular version of the transaction document. The version records may be accessed to perform a valuation for a specified time.

Abstract: A computer system may create version records in a versioned database that stores data from transaction documents. Each version record may include a timestamp that represents a time from which the data stored in the version record is valid. The timestamp may represent the time of creation of particular version of the transaction document. The version records may be accessed to perform a valuation for a specified time.

Abstract: A message may be used to update computing system of a commodity transaction. The message may include a commodity identifier, a date term, a quantity term, and a price term. The price term may include a formula arrangement or reference to a formula arrangement for calculating a fractional exposure of the entity to the commodity on each date in which an event affecting commodity transaction occurs. Each of these fractional exposures may be calculated for each commodity transaction and stored as separate entries in a data structure. The entries may then be updated, queried, and/or reorganized to generate an exposure position.

Abstract: A message may be used to update computing system of a commodity transaction. The message may include a commodity identifier, a date term, a quantity term, and a price term. The price term may include a formula arrangement or reference to a formula arrangement for calculating a fractional exposure of the entity to the commodity on each date in which an event affecting commodity transaction occurs. Each of these fractional exposures may be calculated for each commodity transaction and stored as separate entries in a data structure. The entries may then be updated, queried, and/or reorganized to generate an exposure position.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention facilitate inventory management by determining an order quantity and a safety stock based on the order quantity that provide a minimum total cost, while satisfying a service level over an entire demand period for a good or service. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a first order quantity, determining a search direction, and determining a second order quantity and a safety stock based on the first order quantity and the search direction, such that the second order quantity and the safety stock provide a minimum total cost.