Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for processing e-commerce information are presented. A business entity may transfer e-commerce agreements through an electronic marketplace. The business entity retrieves dependency information about a commercial transaction from an e-commerce agreement. The business entity incorporates the dependency information, e.g., dates, costs, deliveries, etc., as dependency relationships within a project model that represents a project for a product or service for sale by the first business entity. User input is received for manipulating a cost dependency relationship within the project model while constraining the user input to ensure that another type of dependency relationship is not incompatible with modifications to the cost dependency relationship.

Abstract: A statistical inventory management system may optimize inventory investment using historical usage and/or consumption of an inventory component by determining one or more target inventory levels (e.g., replenishment levels). Historical usage data may be summed for a plurality of at least partially non-overlapping time periods that may be each equal in duration to a supplier lead-time period for the component to create lead-time usage data. The lead-time usage data may be utilized to more accurately determine future inventory levels (e.g., target inventory levels) because the lead-time usage data may have a reduced variance compared to, for example, day-to-day usage. The inventory management system may be employable by a computing system having a display module (e.g., GUI) that allows a user to receive at least one graphical representation indicative of at least one target inventory level of at least one inventory component (e.g., by selectively interacting with the display module).

Abstract: A system and method is provided for retrieving disparate design data in connection with the design of a device, a service, or a system. A user design application enables users to store disparate data according to predefined links in a central data source. The user design application also enables users to query the central data source to retrieve relevant disparate design data based on the predefined relationships.

Abstract: A method for deploying a product through multiple phases includes defining work streams for deploying the product, where each work stream is defined for a set of components of a client environment. For each work stream and for each phase, a set of predefined tasks are identified for the phase, a computer processor gathers for the phase a set of instruments specific to the work stream for performing the set of predefined tasks, and the set of instruments are stored in a data repository of a deployment framework. The set of predefined tasks for the phase is common amongst the work streams.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for management of multiple approvals is described. A project is identified, the project including one or more items and having an associated project workflow requiring approval of one or more portions of the project by one or more approvers. An update to a project item is identified. An approver is identified, wherein approval by the approver of one or more of the item and an update to the item is required by the project workflow. The approver is associated with the project based upon, at least in part, the approval by the approver of one or more of the item and the update to the item being required by the project workflow. An order of approval for the project is determined based upon, at least in part, identifying the approver and the update to the item.

Abstract: In a method for in service support for a vehicle fleet wherein the improvement comprises providing Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Conditioned Based Maintenance (CBM), Fleet Management (FM), Vehicle/Component Asset Tracking, Stores/Consumable Inventory, and maintenance management.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods that coordinate an external conversation process between entities with an internal workflow of one of the entities. More particularly, it relates to devices and methods that are compliant with an inter-enterprise conversation process standard for routing electronic commerce documents between enterprises. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

Abstract: The risk of losing sales of an item in a retail store due to the item not being on the retail store's shelves for customers to purchase is reduced. An item an item at a retail store may be identified as being at risk based at least in part on a sales volatility of the item and on a frequency of the item selling beyond its sales floor capacity within a day. A minimum number of facings for the item in the retail store may be determined based at least in part on an average daily capacity of the item, an average number of facings for the item, and a specified amount of daily sales of the item. The determined minimum number of facings for the item in the retail store may be reported.

Abstract: A system and method for automating the creation, optimization and deployment of multimedia, interactive, mentoring communication modules (“MIPs”) is provided. Simplified interfaces allow superiors to generate MIPs and asynchronously deploy them to subordinates' mobile devices or personal computers. The completed MIP are automatically coded for optimal performance on specific mobile operating systems to which they are deployed. Automatic notifications are sent to registered subordinates upon deployment of a completed MIP. User configurable and system updatable management portals and subordinate portals are automatically generated to provide a user interface to enable mentoring interactions between the superior and subordinates. The MIPs allow custom tailoring of educational and developmental exercises. Performance of the exercises can be monitored by a superior for each of a plurality of subordinates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for are described herein for transforming project management application representations into business process models. An aspect provides for receiving at least one portion of a project management application representation; and generating at least one business process by applying at least one transformation pattern to the at least one project management representation. Other embodiments and aspects are also provided herein.

Abstract: An intelligent enterprise architecture (LEA) for an enterprise is defined. One or more IEA entry points are selected. IEA entry points represent a starting point for defining the IEA, which is an architectural development process for defining an enterprise computing architecture within a smart computing system. One or more business drivers for pain points in the enterprise are associated with a selected IEA entry point. A business value model is generated and utilized to focus a scope of the business drivers for the selected IEA entry point. An optimal IEA that satisfies the business drivers to ameliorate the pain points in the enterprise is then defined.

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: An interactive voice and data response system that directs input to a voice, text, and web-capable software-based router, which is able to intelligently respond to the input by drawing on a combination of human agents, advanced speech recognition and expert systems, connected to the router via a TCP/IP network. The digitized input is broken down into components so that the customer interaction is managed as a series of small tasks performed by a pool of human agents, rather than one ongoing conversation between the customer and a single agent. The router manages the interactions and keeps pace with a real-time conversation. The system utilizes both speech recognition and human intelligence for purposes of interpreting customer utterances or customer text, where the role of the human agent(s) is to input the intent of caller utterances, and where the computer system—not the human agent—determines which response to provide given the customer's stated intent (as interpreted/captured by the human agents).

Abstract: A workflow management system and method that includes approval of workflow changes. A workflow management system is disclosed that includes: a mapping system for mapping tier types to workflows; a modification system for changing tier types, wherein a tier type change causes a new workflow to replace an original workflow; a workflow snapshot system for taking a snapshot of the original workflow when the tier type change occurs; and an approval system for approving tier type changes.

Abstract: A network clearinghouse may be provided that brings together organizations (subjects) requiring outsourcing of a service and service providers (operators). The clearinghouse manages the bidding and awarding of contracts, by collecting and authorizing requests for proposals (RFPs), sending bid invitations to operators that meet the requirements of the subject, sending a notification that the contract has been awarded, and collecting payment from the subject and paying the operator.

Abstract: A method of rapid workflow process modeling, which is established according to a triangulation principle. The method integrates issues of management, operation and technology including information technology that are three fundamentals of a triangulation principle to characterize challenges and opportunities for process improvement of any organization including military units, governmental agencies and public and private business sectors. Specifically, the method is comprised of seven steps such as the As-Is process mapping, problem statements, impact statements, solution statements, benefit statements, To-Be process mapping and cost benefit analysis for generating a quantitative projection of the business cost reduction. Application of the method is able to comprehensively and effectively address challenges and opportunities for all aspects of the organizational process improvement.

Abstract: A task repository can include content including at least one of defined tasks and pre-packaged services that are usable in responding to queries formed based on a work breakdown structure into which a set of customer requirements including data characterizing deliverables associated with a service-based project are converted. A set of results returned in response to the query can include one or more of associated defined task units and pre-packaged services for a search term associated with each discrete work element in the work breakdown structure such that a completed representation of the project can be formed.

Abstract: A portable terminal having an audio pickup means that acquires sound, an absolute position detection unit that detects the absolute position of the portable terminal, a relative position detection unit that detects the relative position of the portable terminal, and a speech recognition and synthesis unit that recognizes the audio acquired by the audio pickup means as speech, is achieved with a simple configuration. A portable terminal (1) that exchanges data with a server (2) has disposed to the portable terminal an audio pickup means that acquires sound, an absolute position detection unit (1-1) that detects the absolute position of the portable terminal, a relative position detection unit (1-2) that detects the relative position of the portable terminal, and a speech recognition and synthesis unit (1-3) that recognizes the audio acquired by the audio pickup means as speech.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing software. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating the distributed development of software components includes providing a skill rating for software developers, communicating specifications for a software component to a subset of the developers, receiving submissions from the developers, scoring the submissions, and selecting one submission to be included in a software repository. In another embodiment, a method for compensating a software developer includes soliciting software developers for the submission of computer software components, receiving software components in response to the solicitation from the developers, evaluating the received software components, selecting one or more of the submissions for potential distribution to the public, and allotting the proceeds from the distribution to the developers.

Abstract: A file monitoring system tracks progress of data processing of a data file. Various applications and systems transmit status updates at one or more stages of processing to the file monitoring system. The file monitoring system monitors the status updates and generates reports displaying the status of the date file at the predetermined processing states. Reports include end to end status, files received and files delivered.

Abstract: Project management systems and methods utilizing project components that are stored in a components library and which provide for the input of quality compliance parameters, the empirical analysis of real time project execution information, and the feedback of real-time project execution information to the components library.

Abstract: A knowledge base is built for a case management system. A case content comprising all incoming documents of the case and all collaborative activities associated with the case is built. Text analytics are performed on the case content. An identification of all the knowledge workers working on the case is linked to the case content. The case content, the text analytics and the identification of all knowledge workers working on the case are then stored in a memory.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for managing a merger or an acquisition. A plurality of statistics are tracked relating to a merger or an acquisition for reporting purposes. Further, a plurality of decisions are stored relating to the merger or acquisition. Such decisions may be accessed by a plurality of users involved in the merger or acquisition. In addition, a plurality of items associated with the merger or acquisition are inputted into a database. Each item is associated with at least one of the users. The users may be search for the items in the database.

Abstract: A method for contacting people involves identifying, prior to an exploration and production (E&P) tool session, a first person accessing a first portion of the historic information in a subterranean formation field data set, adding, prior to the E&P tool session, the first person to a people-in-context list by at least storing an identifier of the first person with a reference to the first portion of the historic information, presenting, during the E&P tool session to a user controlling the E&P tool session, a selection menu based on the people-in-context list, receiving, during the E&P tool session, a first selection from the user, wherein the first selection identifies the first person from the selection menu, and establishing, in response to the first selection from the user, a first communication session between the user and the first person in the people-in-context list.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a service session using a call include: initiating a first call between a caller and a callee according to a callee address record; establishing a voice communication session during the call; modifying the caller address record; and initiating a second call between the caller and the callee according to the modified callee address record. A behavior of the second call differs from a behavior of the first call. In one embodiment, the callee address record is modified according to a modification request. In one embodiment, the callee address record includes at least one session initiation entry. The session initiation entry includes a session address attribute with information for establishing the communication session, a session communication method with a protocol used for the communication session, and a session data attribute with data information for sending over the communication session based on the session address attribute.

Abstract: A web-based workflow automation system for developing event-based workflows is provided. The workflow automation system enables users with little or no programming knowledge to easily create and schedule event based workflows utilizing a web based interface. The workflow automation system provides a unified platform for project and workflow creation, execution, and testing.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic data. An electronic device may be used to collect traffic data. The system has a processor, a communication subsystem and a memory for storing traffic data. The processor is configured to receive traffic data from the electronic device through a communications network, store the received traffic data in a database, and generate for display on a graphical interface screen a data management portal providing a web service to view traffic data collection project jobs, view project traffic data and sell project traffic data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognizing surface characteristics of metallurgical products, especially continuously cast products and rolled products. According to said method, a defined section of the product surface (12, 12?) is irradiated by at least two radiation sources of different wavelengths, from different directions, and the irradiated surface section is optoelectronically detected. Three light sources (21, 22, 23) are oriented towards the product surface (12, 12?), as radiation sources, under the same angle (a), the positions thereof being in three planes (E1, E2, E3) forming a 120 DEG angle and being perpendicular to the product surface (12, 12?). In this way, instructive information about metallurgical products can be determined and stored in a very short space of time such that the products can be determined in a perfectly identified manner for the reprocessing, in terms of the surface quality or surface structure thereof.

Abstract: A collaboration server hosts software for collaborative composition and editing of a media project with project collaborators using different media editing applications each having their own native data format. Project collaborators, such as video editors, sound editors, effects and graphics artists, and producers access a shared project workspace which contains a snapshot of the current state of the media project in a canonical format, as well as source media files, native application metadata, and change notes. Each editing application includes a module enabling it to read the canonical snapshot representation, and also to flatten its native data model representation into the canonical representation for writing to the shared project workspace. A collaboration server hosts the shared project space, and includes a workflow manager for issuing change notifications and handling versions, and an application server for the shared project user interface.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include receiving a task including structured data and unstructured data, processing the task to generate a current task object, the current task object comprising a plurality of task attributes, retrieving a previous task object, for each task attribute of the plurality of task attributes, calculating a task attribute similarity value based on a corresponding task attribute of the previous task object, determining whether a rule is applicable to a task similarity calculation, weighting each of the plurality of task attribute similarity values using a plurality of weight values, wherein a first weight value applied to a first task similarity value is different than a second weight value applied to a second task similarity calculation when determining that the rule is applicable to the task similarity calculation, calculating a task similarity value, and providing the task similarity value to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: The PLErify Tool is a major step in simplifying what was once a tedious process in helping professionals be self-reliant in curating, mashing and spreading digital content. The PLErify Tool also removes the barriers to understanding and harnessing the enormous power of being creative yet be completely in control of information sacred to their professions. Not only does the PLErify environment allows professionals to have complete ownership of what they create, it also allows this group of professionals to develop the skill of refining their ability to select tools that best allow them to express themselves so critical to making decisions on what to disseminate and, at what level of confidentiality vis a vis the course objectives deemed most comfortable to both the disseminator and the audience. This aspect is so important to preserving and keeping specifics to an appropriate level particularly where level of confidentiality and self expression sometimes collide.

Abstract: A project and document management system with automatic metadata encoding is enclosed. In the system, a data repository is provided, and a number of computing devices are connected to the data repository through a communication network to store their data in the data repository. On each computing device, an activity frame automatically associates sets of metadata with data generated by application programs. The application frame may take the form of a virtual workspace or set of workspaces, each workspace associated with its own set of metadata, such that everything a user does, receives, or acts on while in that workspace is associated with the workspace's set of metadata. Virtual workspaces may have hierarchical or other relationships, and related workspaces may inherit or share parts of their sets of metadata. Dashboards and analytics may be used to indicate the status of single workspaces or related workspaces addressing particular tasks.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a digital material management method including a verification step of automatically verifying, in manufacturing of a product in which digital materials are used, digital materials that should be used and digital materials that are actually used in the product. According to the digital material management method of the present invention, whether the entire digital materials that should be used in the product manufactured using the digital materials are arranged and used is automatically checked, and the result is displayed. Therefore, the use of the digital materials that should be used in the product can be automatically checked. The efficiency is improved, and the power can be saved.

Abstract: Systems and method for interpreting a data selection on a touch screen may include providing an interface on the touch screen with a plurality of lanes, each lane associated with an attribute, and each attribute associated with a plurality of values. Icons may fill each lane, with each icon configured to display one of the values of the attribute of the lane. The interface may also have a first lane where a first icon is not displayed. It may be determined that a finger gesture input from the touch screen with a direction is associated with the first lane, and in response, the icons in the first lane may be moved in that direction to display the first icon. A finger tap input from the touch screen corresponding to the first icon may enlarge a size of the first icon on the touch screen to substantially fill the first lane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for attending a meeting. The method involves determining the presence of a meeting notice for a meeting in meeting software, where the meeting notice comprises a start time, a end time, a name of an attendee, and information to connect to the meeting. The method also involves obtaining information about the meeting from the meeting notice to populate a meeting template, determining that the meeting is a not-in-person meeting, and populating the meeting template to obtain a meeting record for the meeting. The method also involves connecting over a voice communication channel to the meeting at the start time using the information in the meeting record for the meeting and terminating the meeting at the end time of the meeting.

Abstract: Embodiments modify project plans to create customized project plans for a user. A project plan having one or more project content items is created according to a pre-defined schema. The user customizes the project plan by adding, removing, and/or substituting project content items or properties (e.g., adjust the timing for accomplishing tasks). The customized project plan is analyzed to identify the project content items that correspond to user data stores available on a computing device. The user data stores include, for example, calendar appointments, tasks, and shopping lists. The project content items are integrated with the user data stores, such as by creating calendar entries, adding tasks, and adding items to the shopping lists. A manifest is defined to describe and record the integrated project content items and the corresponding user data stores.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collaborative task management are described. The apparatus may include a user interface module that provides a graphical user interface to a user, a form engine coupled to the user interface module to receive form data from a task data store, a scheduling engine that schedules task assignments, and the task data store that stores information related to one or more tasks. The method may include receiving from a user a request to update a task assignment, displaying to the user a task assignment form, receiving an indication to process the form, updating a task data store with information from the form. The method may alternately include receiving task information from a plurality of users, prioritizing task assignments using that information, generating one or more work queues, providing a work queue to a user, receiving an update to a task assignment, and re-generating the work queue.

Abstract: A method for tracking progress of a construction project comprising storing digital representations of construction drawings and storing information about material costs and amounts of labor needed to build each condition assembly in the drawing. Once the construction project begins, the method allows for a user to enter real time information about status of completion of work on each labor cost code for a selected area and the amount of labor and materials used to achieve that. The program then calculates the percentage of progress of work on each labor cost code, determines whether the labor cost code is on a projected budget and presents the results in color coded format on the drawing and/or on the list of labor cost codes.

Abstract: The content of an operating instruction to each worker in a manufacturing process is controlled in the following way based on a manufacturing direction to the worker and on manufacturing achievement, work proficiency, and the like of the worker for the manufacturing direction. A deviation between a manufacturing direction and manufacturing achievement is calculated. Manufacturing direction parameters acting as factors of the calculated deviation are specified for each product to be manufactured. The above information is stored in a deviation factor database. For a new manufacturing direction, manufacturing direction parameters therein are checked against the deviation factor database to determine alarm information to be given to a worker on a manufacturing line, and the determined alarm information is outputted.

Abstract: A statistical inventory management system may optimize inventory investment using historical usage and/or consumption of an inventory component by determining one or more target inventory levels (e.g., replenishment levels). Historical usage data may be summed for a plurality of at least partially non-overlapping time periods that may be each equal in duration to a supplier lead-time period for the component to create lead-time usage data. The lead-time usage data may be utilized to more accurately determine future inventory levels (e.g., target inventory levels) because the lead-time usage data may have a reduced variance compared to, for example, day-to-day usage. The inventory management system may be employable by a computing system having a display module (e.g., GUI) that allows a user to receive at least one graphical representation indicative of at least one target inventory level of at least one inventory component (e.g., by selectively interacting with the display module).

Abstract: A system for discovering relationships among users of a plurality of electronic social networking and messaging platforms includes a memory for storing computer executable instructions and a processor for retrieving and executing the computer executable instructions. When the instructions are executed, the processor instantiates an application that identifies characteristics and interests of the user and compiles a vector representing the characteristics and interests of the user. The vector is compared with other vectors representing identities and interests of other individuals, and based on the comparison, a subset of the other individuals having a relationship to the user based on one or more of the other individuals identities and interests is identified. A graphical representation of an actionable list of the subset of individuals is presented to the user such that the user may select one of the individuals from the list for subsequent communication.

Abstract: A method for analyzing project efficiency is provided. For a plurality of projects, a weight is assigned to each of a set of deliverables. The weight is associated with each of the deliverables for each of the plurality of projects. A status of each deliverable of a set of deliverables is determined for a project, where the status indicates that the deliverable has at least been started. A weight associated with each deliverable is used to generate an earned value. The earned value and an actual cost of the project are used to calculate an efficiency.

Abstract: A system may receive a request to process an address. The system may insert, in a job queue, a first description of a first job for creating a first address when the request is to create a new address. The system may perform subtasks of the first job for creating the first address in a database in accordance with the first description and remove the first job description from the job queue.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing software. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating the distributed development of software components includes providing a skill rating for software developers, communicating specifications for a software component to a subset of the developers, receiving submissions from the developers, scoring the submissions, and selecting one submission to be included in a software repository. In another embodiment, a method for compensating a software developer includes soliciting software developers for the submission of computer software components, receiving software components in response to the solicitation from the developers, evaluating the received software components, selecting one or more of the submissions for potential distribution to the public, and allotting the proceeds from the distribution to the developers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for utilizing computer networks to facilitate the creation, management, and equity valuation of decentralized collaborative projects. The crowd source project management system provides methods for participants to start, join, communicate, contribute, and derive an equity share in user defined activities. Methods of the system automate and facilitate the use of project management and planning methodologies on notoriously difficult to coordinate open and peer-to-peer projects. By means of an abstracted point system the valuation and capitalization of crowd sourced projects can be derived for both individual contributors and the entire endeavor.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for editing a production schedule. The system includes: a storage unit storing master data; a receiving unit receiving the master data; a duplicating unit generating editing data; an editing operation unit generating preliminarily-edited data based on an editing command; an identification unit identifying an item edited in the preliminarily-edited data with respect to the master data; a determination unit determining whether the inputted editing command is valid or invalid, wherein tag information is appended to an item being the same as the edited item; and an updating unit generating the preliminarily-edited data in which the editing command determined to be valid is reflected and to which the tag information is appended and updating the master data by using the generated preliminarily-edited data. A method and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A computerized system, method and process allows telecommunications carriers to find, evaluate and select locations for equipment through direct access to end users, while providing citizens the opportunity to offer the use of their dwelling or other assets to carriers. The system and method further provides a computerized mechanism for (a) creating an inventory and marketplace for available properties for use in telecommunications networks, (b) providing quality and/or performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data in the clearinghouse, and (c) providing localized content over wireless networks using the clearinghouse.

Abstract: An event processing mechanism is provided as a system interface between software applications that contain events that need to be processed, a BRF program that executes event rules, and workflow processes that capture the processing of the events. A social service eventing program enables centralized and streamlined event processing by receiving event information from software applications, assigning appropriate event rules based on the received information and applicable business or regulatory rules, prioritizing event rules, setting and communicating applicable event rules to parameterized rules to be executed by a BRF program.

Abstract: Automated System for Commissioning Verification, Progress Tracking and Punchlist Resolution of Oil and Gas Production Facilities is disclosed. This invention eliminates the need for manual generation of hardcopy inspection reports and engineering documents by providing field inspectors mobile devices for real-time access to the document control system. The invention also provides immediate notification to all Users when a revised document has been uploaded into the document control system. The invention provides automated and real-time progress updates, and eliminates delays from manually coding and scanning documents. Punchlist deficiencies and corresponding digital images are entered in the field for immediate viewing by onsite and offsite management, engineers and vendors via internet access, allowing for immediate direction or approvals. Material procurement requirements are entered in the field for immediate viewing and action by procurement personnel.

Abstract: An interactive voice and data response system that directs input to a voice, text, and web-capable software-based router, which is able to intelligently respond to the input by drawing on a combination of human agents, advanced speech recognition and expert systems, connected to the router via a TCP/IP network. The digitized input is broken down into components so that the customer interaction is managed as a series of small tasks performed by a pool of human agents, rather than one ongoing conversation between the customer and a single agent. The router manages the interactions and keeps pace with a real-time conversation. The system utilizes both speech recognition and human intelligence for purposes of interpreting customer utterances or customer text, where the role of the human agent(s) is to input the intent of caller utterances, and where the computer system—not the human agent—determines which response to provide given the customer's stated intent (as interpreted/captured by the human agents).