Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for improving the efficiency of a service department when maintaining equipment. The equipment performs self-diagnosis and periodically reports a problem or other event by automatically generating an event code indicating that an event has occurred that requires maintenance of the equipment. The system then automatically posts initial information about the event on a secure message board, such as within the company's website, for access by one or more authorized personnel via a network. The event code is applied to a look-up table pre-programmed with rules identifying authorizations of certain personnel to receive posted information about the event and to contribute to a posting thread. A communications controller then applies the rules to the thread as the event is being resolved by the authorized personnel. Authorized personnel are allowed to dynamically modify the rules after the posting of the initial information.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for improving the efficiency of a service department when maintaining equipment. The equipment performs self-diagnosis and periodically reports a problem or other event by automatically generating an event code indicating that an event has occurred that requires maintenance of the equipment. The system then automatically posts initial information about the event on a secure message board, such as within the company's website, for access by one or more authorized personnel via a network. The event code is applied to a look-up table pre-programmed with rules identifying authorizations of certain personnel to receive posted information about the event and to contribute to a posting thread. A communications controller then applies the rules to the thread as the event is being resolved by the authorized personnel. Authorized personnel are allowed to dynamically modify the rules after the posting of the initial information.

Abstract: A CO2e modeling system is implemented via a host server that is remotely accessible by a large number of clients (organizations) and suppliers of goods and services to the clients. The host server accesses a database containing CO2e emission-related data from a large number of suppliers. The client, when determining their indirect CO2e emissions resulting from their supply chain network, then identifies to the host server, via the web, the various suppliers used by the client and the client's amount of usage of the various suppliers. The host server uses its stored conversion factors and other data from the database to calculate the client's indirect CO2e emissions as a result of the client's usage of the particular suppliers. The server may calculate the total CO2e emissions generated by the entire chain of suppliers that are involved with providing a particular product to the client.

Abstract: An emission management system is implemented via a host server that is accessible to a large number of clients (organizations) using a website. Based on data input by a client relating to actual usage of resources, the client's past CO2e emission over time is calculated by the host server and displayed to the client on the website in the form of a wedge chart, with emissions along the y-axis and time along the x-axis. The server software also extrapolates the past emissions to display baseline predicted future emissions, assuming no reduction strategies are implemented. The client also inputs an emission target level and proposes one or more strategies for reducing the baseline level to achieve the target level. The server converts each strategy to a CO2e emission reduction and layers the different reductions between the baseline level and the target so the client can graphically see the effect of each strategy on achieving the target.

Abstract: A method provides a user with access to resources associated with a life or work event by enabling the user to perform certain operations, including specifying a list of one or more tasks corresponding to the event, specifying one or more resources associated with each task, indicating a task order (including an indication of whether two or more tasks in the task list are to be performed in an order-dependent or in an order-independent manner), and formatting the task list into a presentation format. A system with user interface controls enables a user to perform certain operations, including designating an event, generating a list of tasks associated with the event, and specifying an order for performance of the tasks in the task list that may be followed in processing an instance of the event.

Abstract: A method allows a user to process a life or work event by enabling the user to perform certain operations, including creating at least one event instance based on an event definition that includes a specification of data required from an external source, a list of tasks to be completed, a task order, and one or more resources associated with each task, and processing the event instance by importing the data from the external source and by iteratively allowing the user to select a task in accordance with the task order and to access the resources associated with the selected task. The imported data may be used to pre-populate forms, or as other input within the tasks. If the imported data is processed or used to produce output data, the output data may be exported to an external destination.

Abstract: An emission management system is implemented via a host server that is accessible to a large number of clients (organizations) using a website. Based on data input by a client relating to actual usage of resources, the client's past CO2e emission over time is calculated by the host server and displayed to the client on the website in the form of a wedge chart, with emissions along the y-axis and time along the x-axis. The server software also extrapolates the past emissions to display baseline predicted future emissions, assuming no reduction strategies are implemented. The client also inputs an emission target level and proposes one or more strategies for reducing the baseline level to achieve the target level. The server converts each strategy to a CO2e emission reduction and layers the different reductions between the baseline level and the target so the client can graphically see the effect of each strategy on achieving the target.

Abstract: A centralized modeling system is implemented via a host server that is accessible to a large number of clients (organizations) using a website. In one example, it is assumed a client wishes to reduce its CO2e emissions by reducing its energy consumption by a certain amount per year. The client then enters a budget, and the server or client identifies a list of all the possible initiatives (specific projects) for electricity reduction. The client enters certain relevant information to customize the initiatives. The server may then automatically calculate, using conversion factors, each initiative's cost and estimated electricity and emissions reduction per year, among other metrics. The software allows the client to repeatedly select any combination of the initiatives and then models the resulting total energy savings and CO2e emission reduction, and any budgeted amount remaining. Based on the modeling, the client then decides on the overall strategy using a combination of the initiatives.

Abstract: A centralized emission management system is implemented via a server that is accessible to a large number of entities. An entity uploads information about demographic data and resource consumption data of its organizational units, such as facilities, to determine measures of environmental impact, such as CO2e emissions. When resource consumption of a target organizational unit is not available, the entity can request the server to estimate the resource consumption based on private information about comparable organizational units within the entity or public information about comparable organizational units outside of the entity. The server determines the comparable organizational units based on the demographic data. The entity can select a resource consumption item of a comparable organizational unit from which the server determines an estimated resource consumption of the target organizational unit, generates an audit trail of the estimate, and determines a measure of environmental impact from the estimate.

Abstract: A method is described for generating a single graphic chart that illustrates relative quantities associated with different elements and relationships among the different elements. In one example, a processing system receives raw data, such as data for deriving the CO2e emissions per country. Assume a client wants to graphically illustrate both the relative quantities of emissions per country and the relative quantities of emissions per geographical region. The processing system creates an outer pie chart by arranging arc-sections, representing each country, so that the arc-sections associated with each geographic region are adjacent one another. The processing system then generates an inner pie chart, coaxial with the outer pie chart, illustrating the relative quantities of emissions per geographical region, wherein boundaries of each arc-section in the inner pie chart are aligned with boundaries of an associated grouping of related arc-sections in the outer pie chart.

Abstract: A centralized emission and energy management system is implemented via a server that is accessible to a client organization. In response to a request to recommend best practices for an organizational unit to reduce environmental impact or energy usage, the system selects relevant best practices based on reduction goals and the organizational unit's particular industry. Based on attribute values for the relevant best practices and the organizational unit, the system filters/ranks the relevant best practices to form recommended best practices. The system may transmit a forecast of energy savings, cost impacts, and environmental impacts over an implementation time period for a draft procedure created from a recommended best practice. The system may generate a request for proposal (RFP) including an approved procedure to a vendor. The system may maintain ratings and feedbacks on the approved procedure and the vendor.

Abstract: A CO2e modeling system is implemented via a host server that is remotely accessible by a large number of clients (organizations) and suppliers of goods and services to the clients. The host server accesses a database containing CO2e emission-related data from a large number of suppliers. The client, when determining their indirect CO2e emissions resulting from their supply chain network, then identifies to the host server, via the web, the various suppliers used by the client and the client's amount of usage of the various suppliers. The host server uses its stored conversion factors and other data from the database to calculate the client's indirect CO2e emissions as a result of the client's usage of the particular suppliers. The server may calculate the total CO2e emissions generated by the entire chain of suppliers that are involved with providing a particular product to the client.

Abstract: A project role generation system includes a role generator. The role generator executes a computer-implemented method for defining one or more roles for a project. The role generator generates a skills list for a project based on a comparison between a skills taxonomy and key words from unstructured text associated with the project. The role generator further generates one or more role templates for the project based on a comparison of at least a portion of the generated skills list and one or more predefined roles, wherein each role template includes one or more skills associated with fulfilling a role.

Abstract: A system with user interface controls, a build component, a runtime component, and a workflow engine enables a user to specify an event definition, create an event instance based on the event definition, and process the event instance. The event definition may include a list of tasks corresponding to a life or work event, a specification of resources associated with each task, and a task order. The user may deselect optional tasks, specify participants who are to collaborate in the event, and otherwise personalize the event instance. The user processes the event instance by selecting tasks in accordance with the task order. The system provides access to the resources associated with each task, and allows the user to mark tasks as completed, and to store and monitor the progress of the event instance. Multiple event instances that are created from the same event definition can be processed independently.

Abstract: A project role generation system includes a role generator. The role generator executes a computer-implemented method for defining one or more roles for a project. The role generator generates a skills list for a project based on a comparison between a skills taxonomy and key words from unstructured text associated with the project. The role generator further generates one or more role templates for the project based on a comparison of at least a portion of the generated skills list and one or more predefined roles, wherein each role template includes one or more skills associated with fulfilling a role.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to develop and execute a composite application may include an application framework. An application framework may include an object access layer, a service layer, and a user interface layer. The object access layer may be operable to exchange data with a plurality of enterprise base systems and to present the data to a composite application through a uniform interface. The service layer may be operable to provide services to the composite application, and the user interface layer may be operable to provide user interface patterns that facilitate information exchange between the composite application and a user.

Abstract: A system with user interface controls, a build component, a runtime component, and a workflow engine enables a user to specify an event definition, create an event instance based on the event definition, and process the event instance. The event definition may include a list of tasks corresponding to a life or work event, a specification of resources associated with each task, and a task order. The user may deselect optional tasks, specify participants who are to collaborate in the event, and otherwise personalize the event instance. The user processes the event instance by selecting tasks in accordance with the task order. The system provides access to the resources associated with each task, and allows the user to mark tasks as completed, and to store and monitor the progress of the event instance. Multiple event instances that are created from the same event definition can be processed independently.

Abstract: A method provides a user with access to resources associated with a life or work event by enabling the user to perform certain operations, including specifying a list of one or more tasks corresponding to the event, specifying one or more resources associated with each task, indicating a task order (including an indication of whether two or more tasks in the task list are to be performed in an order-dependent or in an order-independent manner), and formatting the task list into a presentation format. A system with user interface controls enables a user to perform certain operations, including designating an event, generating a list of tasks associated with the event, and specifying an order for performance of the tasks in the task list that may be followed in processing an instance of the event.

Abstract: A method allows a user to process a life or work event by enabling the user to perform certain operations, including creating at least one event instance based on an event definition that includes a list of tasks to be completed, a task order, and one or more resources associated with each task, and processing the event instance by iteratively allowing the user to select a task in accordance with the task order and to access the resources associated with the selected task. The user can also personalize, store, and monitor the status of the event instance. Multiple event instances can be created from the same event definition, and event instances are processed independently of each other. A system with user interface controls enables a user to perform certain operations, including creating at least one event instance based on an event definition and processing the event instance.

Abstract: A method allows a user to process a life or work event by enabling the user to perform certain operations, including creating at least one event instance based on an event definition that includes a specification of data required from an external source, a list of tasks to be completed, a task order, and one or more resources associated with each task, and processing the event instance by importing the data from the external source and by iteratively allowing the user to select a task in accordance with the task order and to access the resources associated with the selected task. The imported data may be used to pre-populate forms, or as other input within the tasks. If the imported data is processed or used to produce output data, the output data may be exported to an external destination.