Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing market distribution for a business having multiple business representatives. The business is considered to be in competition with one or more competitors, each of which also has multiple representatives. Locations are determined both for the business representatives and for the competitor representatives, and these locations are used to populate one or more databases. A locator identification is assigned to each distinct location and used as a pointer within the databases. The locator identification may be unique to specific street addresses, permitting improved analysis of the market information, particularly analysis derived from the geographical distributions of the business representatives and of the competitor representatives.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing market distribution for a business having multiple business representatives. The business is considered to be in competition with one or more competitors, each of which also has multiple representatives. Locations are determined both for the business representatives and for the competitor representatives, and these locations are used to populate one or more databases. A locator identification is assigned to each distinct location and used as a pointer within the databases. The locator identification may be unique to specific street addresses, permitting improved analysis of the market information, particularly analysis derived from the geographical distributions of the business representatives and of the competitor representatives.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing market distribution for a business having multiple business representatives. The business is considered to be in competition with one or more competitors, each of which also has multiple representatives. Locations are determined both for the business representatives and for the competitor representatives, and these locations are used to populate one or more databases. A locator identification is assigned to each distinct location and used as a pointer within the databases. The locator identification may be unique to specific street addresses, permitting improved analysis of the market information, particularly analysis derived from the geographical distributions of the business representatives and of the competitor representatives.

Abstract: A geographical distribution of business representatives is managed by their assignment to geographical units. The assignments are stored on a storage device and a graphical interface permits changes in accordance with management determinations. The graphical interface includes a map on which an area is traced to define a closed geographical area. Any geographical units within the closed geographical area are identified. After the geographical units are identified, their stored characteristics are modified in response to an instruction from a user.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for authorizing commercial transactions subject to certain transaction criteria. A purchaser of goods and/or services presents a transaction instrument at the time of a transaction. Transaction criteria that have been defined by a third party and that are associated with the transaction instrument are accessed. A determination is then made whether the transaction request is consistent with the transaction criteria.

Abstract: A geographical distribution of business representatives is managed by their assignment to geographical units. The assignments are stored on a storage device and a graphical interface permits changes in accordance with management determinations. The graphical interface includes a map on which an area is traced to define a closed geographical area. Any geographical units within the closed geographical area are identified. After the geographical units are identified, their stored characteristics are modified in response to an instruction from a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing market distribution for a business having multiple business representatives. The business is considered to be in competition with one or more competitors, each of which also has multiple representatives. Locations are determined both for the business representatives and for the competitor representatives, and these locations are used to populate one or more databases. A locator identification is assigned to each distinct location and used as a pointer within the databases. The locator identification may be unique to specific street addresses, permitting improved analysis of the market information, particularly analysis derived from the geographical distributions of the business representatives and of the competitor representatives.

Abstract: A liquid level gauge including an elongate support member, and, a plurality of optical fibres carried by the support member, said fibres extending on the support member generally lengthwise thereof and generally parallel to each other, said fibres being spaced apart from each other circumferentially of the support member and each fibre being divided at a point along the length of the support member by a gap so arranged that the transmission of the light across the gap from one part of a fibre to the other part thereof is determined by the presence or absence in the gap of the liquid being gauged, the gaps of the fibres being spaced lengthwise of the support member.