Abstract: The integration of transactional workflows that are distributed across multiple contact centers is described herein. Respective agent interfaces can execute concurrently with applications running at two or more contact centers. These interfaces enable agents at the contact centers to conduct respective interactions with a customer. As the interactions progresses, the agents can enter data related to the interactions via the agent interfaces. The agent interfaces need not be integrated with the applications or the contact center infrastructure, thereby eliminating the expense of performing such integration. Instead, the agents can use both the application and the agent interfaces concurrently while interacting with the customer. Data entered by one agent via the interface can be made available to the other agent, thereby enabling the agents to cooperate with one another, and integrating the respective interactions into a cohesive transactional workflow.

Abstract: A system including a general-purpose decision support and decision making predictive analytics engine that is able to find patterns in many types of digitally represented data. Given data that represents a random collection of points, the system finds these internal patterns employing an inductive principle called structural risk minimization that separates the points with the maximum margin. Internal patterns in the initial data are inductively determined by employing structural risk minimization to separate the points with a maximum margin. A model based on the internal patterns in the data is then generated, and the model is used with new data to generate predictions by evaluating the new data for similarities to the model. The model is implemented to facilitate decision making processes. Special features are provided to validate incoming data, preprocess the data, and monitor the data to improve the integrity of modeling results.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various embodiments for performing a dry-run of a business process model in a design-time environment. A start event and end event of the business process model are identified, defining a path of a flow map including a sequence of a plurality of events, including the start event, the end event, and at least one other event sequenced between the start and ends. The events in the path are stepped-through to simulate each event. An error is identified corresponding to a particular event in the path and the step-through is paused upon identifying the error. A user is then prompted for an input to at least temporarily resolve the at least one error. The stepping-through of the plurality of events is then resumed in response to a resolution input from the user. The dry run ends in response to stepping-through to the end event.

Abstract: Among other things, we describe a reality alternative to our physical reality, named the Expandaverse, that includes multiple digital realities that may be continuously created, broadcast, accessed, and used interactively.

Abstract: Modeling a governance process of optimizing a portfolio of services in a governed SOA and generating, in dependence upon the modeled governance process, one or more automation modules, each automation module including a module of computer program instructions that supports performance of one or more steps of the modeled governance process, where the modeled governance process includes determining whether a collection of service artifacts matches one or more service artifacts stored in a service registry; if no service artifacts stored in the service registry match the collection of service artifacts, initiating creation of a service in accordance with the collection of service artifacts; if one or more service artifacts stored in the service registry match the collection of service artifacts: selecting, in dependence upon predefined action selection criteria, a service administration action to perform; obtaining approval of the selected service administration action; and initiating the selected service admini

Abstract: Modeling a governance process of investigating service reuse in a governed SOA and generating, in dependence upon the modeled governance process, one or more automation modules, each automation module including a module of computer program instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, supports performance of one or more steps of the modeled governance process, where the modeled governance process includes receiving a specification of service requirements, interpreting the service requirements against a registry of deployed services including determining whether a deployed service meets the service requirements, and if a deployed service meets the requirements, initiating a subscription to the deployed service.

Abstract: Modeling the governance process of reviewing service artifacts associated with a service in the SOA and generating, in dependence upon the modeled governance process, one or more automation modules, each automation module including a module of computer program instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, supports performance of one or more steps of the modeled governance process, where the modeled governance process includes preparing one or more service artifacts associated with the service for review, submitting the service artifacts for review, and reviewing the service artifacts.

Abstract: A method of modeling and simulation of complex relationships among entities is disclosed. The method can utilize a model that can graphically illustrate relationships among multiple hierarchical levels of entities, and can graphically illustrate information such as types of entities and areas operated by the entities. Further, the model can be based upon a relational database, and proposed or expected changes to the model can be simulated by changing the information in the relational database. An operation model can include a decision maker level, a business entity level, an entity owner level, and an operation level. These levels can be linked hierarchically, and family relationships can be graphically indicated based upon intestate succession priorities.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically prioritizing a plurality of customer requirements. A request for fulfilling a product-modifying customer requirement is received. Prioritization data associated with the customer requirement is obtained. The prioritization data includes revenue opportunity sizes, time constraints, the request's age, and indications of whether the product requires an operating system included in a predefined strategic operating system list and whether revenue associated with a business opportunity is lost if the request is rejected. Component scores for customer requirement-related variables are determined by evaluating formulas that include the variables. Evaluating the formulas includes applying weights to the variables and substituting the prioritization data for the variables. A priority score for prioritizing the customer requirement relative to other customer requirements is automatically determined by summing the component scores.

Abstract: A system is configured to determine aggregated social media variables that may be used for modeling. The system includes an information identifier module determining keywords and phrases. The system also includes an aggregator receiving information collected from social media applications using the keywords and phrases and determining values for social media variables from the collected information. The aggregator aggregates the social media variables based on the values and weightings of the social media variables.

Abstract: A method and a system directed to semantically annotating business process modeling components of a business process model are described. For example, a definition of a business process modeling component and an association of a domain element with the business process modeling component are received. Then, the definition of the business process modeling component is semantically annotated using the domain element.

Abstract: Under the present invention, components pertaining to a particular business operation of an organization are identified arranged into a component map. Information corresponding to a set of financial and staffing variables for the components is then gathered. During a workshop or the like, votes regarding a differentiation factor and an effectiveness factor of each of the components are received according to a predetermined scale. When vote quality is deemed acceptable (e.g., according to a standard deviation), a series of individual heat maps will be generated from the component map using the votes and the information previously collected. In general, an individual heat map is generated for each of the differentiation factor, the effectiveness factor, and the set of financial and staffing. Thereafter, an integrated heat map can be generated by combining at least two of the individual heat maps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for information technology system change planning are described. In an information technology system change planning method in accordance with an embodiment, a change request is received on a network server (310). Domain objects and dependencies among domain objects are identified to form a model (320). Refinable tasks, atomic tasks, and state transitions are selected from a knowledge base based on the change request and the model (330), including dependencies. A workflow is created for implementing the change request using a processor (340). The workflow can be based on the model and may include a combination of selected refinable tasks, atomic tasks, and state transitions used to implement the change request.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for forming a business entity model. A selection of business components is received from a business function model to be selected business components. Activities are found in an industry reference model to be selected activities corresponding to selected business components. Based on the selected activities, industry reference model is scoped to be a scoped industry reference model, which includes reducing business process models in the industry reference model to selected business process models corresponding to selected activities, reducing data models in the industry reference model to selected data models corresponding to use cases of selected activities, and reducing service operations in the industry reference model to selected service operations corresponding to the selected activities. Selected activities and scoped industry reference model are customized.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for developing business process models that are aligned with business components and business intent, including: defining a plurality of business components, wherein each business component is a logical element of a business enterprise that carries out a particular business function; associating one or more activities with a particular business component, wherein each activity is identified by a unique identifier, and wherein each activity is an atomic operation carried out by the particular business component that the activity is associated with; and defining, in dependence upon the associated one or more activities, a business capability that is carried out by one or more business components.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various embodiments of a system, method, and software for implementing a logically centralized source for collaboration on objectives. In one aspect, the method identifies one or more requirements and requirement statuses associated with a business entity for use in a business object stored within a logically centralized repository, the repository storing a plurality of business objects, identifies one or more solutions and solution statuses associated with the identified requirements for use in the business object, and notifies a party of an update to one of the statuses associated with the identified requirements and solutions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a business process meta-model is defined that represents a business process. The business process meta-model includes control flow elements pertaining to a control flow of the business process, and annotation elements providing details for the control flow elements.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for matching a display advertisement to a user within a large-scale, non-destructive user modeling and experimentation environment using real-time traffic. The method commences by populating a user profile object (containing demographics, history, and behaviors of the user) for use during concurrent operation of a production platform and an experimentation platform. To implement non-destructive testing, the method continues by cloning a portion of the real-time traffic for use by the experimentation platform while concurrently delivering the real-time traffic to the production platform. The production platform and the experimentation platform operate concurrently, scoring matches between the user profile objects and a plurality of display advertisements for selecting among the best-scored advertisements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for prioritizing processes in terms of risk. Specifically, present embodiments provide assessment of process applicability to risk factors and an independent assessment of the relative importance of the risk factors. The two independent assessments, conducted by separate corporate entities, such as line-of-business and risk owners, are subsequently used to determine a process risk score that allows for the processes to be prioritized. The independent nature of the assessments provides for a highly objective, fact-based means of prioritizing processes based on risk.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses and program products configured to provide information technology (IT) system combination strategies are described. An explicit model of business to IT dependency is described and utilized by the systems and methods described to expose trade-offs in different combination alternatives, thus assisting in making proactive choices regarding business combination of disparate IT systems and resources.

Abstract: A business process analysis method, system, and program. The technique includes processing to simplify a log, processing to refine a regular grammar on the basis of the simplified log, and processing to generate a workflow on the basis of the resultant refined regular grammar, each processing being performed through computer processing. The processing includes steps of creating a work graph on the basis of a work log, using the work graph to simplify the work log by deleting redundancies, reading a set of constraints, providing a regular expression, changing the regular expression by applying the set of constraints to it, applying the changed regular expression to the simplified log, and determining if the changed regular expression is appropriate for the simplified log.

Abstract: One or more project profiles, one or more people profiles, one or more work product profiles are created and connections are made among the one or more project profiles, one or more people profiles, and one or more work product profiles that form a network of projects, people, work products and others. A profile database stores the network of the one or more project profiles, the one or more people profiles, the one or more work product profiles. Data stored in the profile database is analyzed and one or more people, work products and projects that are related to current project are recommended for use in the current project.

Abstract: When delivery data input to a delivery server is directly input to an MFP by an applicant, an examination request flow is determined as a flow to be executed next. When the delivery data input to the delivery server is transmitted from an information processing apparatus of an examiner, an approval request flow is determined as the flow to be executed next. When the delivery data input to the delivery server is transmitted from the information processing apparatus of an approver, an issuance flow is determined as the flow to be executed next.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for predicting the impact of a personnel action on a worker is provided. The method includes collecting a plurality of attributes associated with each of a plurality of workers, receiving a proposed personnel action related to a worker, applying a data mining tool to the attributes and the proposed personnel action to identify an impact of the proposed personnel action, and outputting the impact of the proposed personnel action based on the result produced by the data mining tool.

Abstract: A People Relationship Management system for an organization having multiple assets each identified by organization meta-data, the system having a management repository for storing connected spheres in a multi-dimensional model. The management repository includes virtual items, business rules and contexts and the model includes both hierarchical and peer-to-peer connections among the spheres. Each sphere contains information in the form of sphere data about a selected asset or a group of selected assets in both hierarchical and peer-to-peer relationships between the spheres. At least one current asset information repository is connected to the management repository and contains dynamically updated meta-data about the assets, the management repository periodically pulling the updated meta-data from the asset information repository to update and render current the asset information of each sphere.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for creating a reusable capacity planning scenario template. In one example, a method includes maintaining a system topology model of resources in a configuration management database. The topology model can include at least one computing device and at least one facility in which the computing device is used. The method can include assigning minimum and maximum constraint values to resources within the system topology. The constraints can be maximal or minimal limits on at least one of how, when, and where workloads may be used with regards to the resources. The method can further include identifying resources within the system topology model to include in the reusable capacity planning scenario template. The identified resources can be projected into a data mart. The reusable capacity planning scenario template can be created using a scenario planner based on the topology model and constraints of the identified resources in the data mart.

Abstract: A system for estimating cost or time to repair a damaged vehicle includes an electronic measuring system that can measure control points of the vehicle and determine whether those control points are out of tolerance (i.e., damaged) even though the damage is not perceptible by the human eye. The system further takes into account various efficiencies and inefficiencies due to extent of damage, type of material, etc. by adding to or subtracting from estimated cost or time.

Abstract: An apparatus for a Gantt chart includes a processing unit which determines a range of dates for an end date for completing a task. The range comprises a first date and a final date. The apparatus includes a display which shows the range of dates for the task completion. A method for a Gantt chart includes the steps of determining a range of dates for an end date for completing a task with a processing unit. The range comprises a first date and a final date. There is the step of showing on a display the range of dates for the task completion. There is the step of showing on a display the range of the end date. An apparatus for establishing a project's performance. A method for establishing a project's performance.

Abstract: Generating a product layout includes obtaining attributes of a retail location; correlating the attributes of the retail location to information relating to a product in order to determine whether the product is appropriate for the retail location; and if the product is appropriate for the retail location, generating a layout of the product within the retail location relative to like products according to one or more predefined rules.

Abstract: The difference between estimated costs predicted for performing a first workscope and actual costs for performing the first workscope is determined. The model used to generate the estimated costs is adjusted to compensate for the difference, resulting in an improved model. Before beginning a second scope of work that is comparable to the first workscope, the improved model is used to predict estimated costs and a price for the second workscope. The estimated costs for the second workscope include predicted productivity gains. The price for the second workscope can be reduced relative to the price for the first workscope as a result of the improved model and the predicted productivity gains.

Abstract: A method of planning a project includes receiving project requirements for a project to be planned and assigning scores to the project requirements based on user preferences associated with the attributes of the requirements. The method further includes generating a numerical model of the project based on the scored requirements and optimizing the score of the numerical model to generate a matching solution that matches the project requirements to vendor offerings.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimum price that a service provider should charge to customers of at least a partially refundable extended-product warranty to optimize profits generated from providing such warranties. In one aspect of the present invention the customer may elect to purchase warranty coverage when the product is new and cancel warranty coverage at any time thereafter, which election is based in part on the customer's expected discounted net utility from his coverage decisions. In another aspect of the present invention, the customer is allowed to make dynamic repair or replacement decisions in each period based on the product's failure status or on other criteria. In one embodiment, the customer can be afforded warranty coverage flexibility in terms of his ability to turn coverage off whenever desired and to obtain a partial refund of the warranty premium.

Abstract: Systems and methods create a digital geospatial display of facilities to aid facility management. In one implementation, a system retrieves data for a plurality of facilities from various databases, including, but not limited to, map data for creating maps, location data for the facilities, and resource data for the facilities. The system marks the locations of the facilities on a map display using a facility icon. The facility icon comprises one or more resource status areas, each of which convey information about the state of a resource at a facility. The system calculates the resource status areas of the facility icons based at least on the resource data.

Abstract: A computer-readable electronic services management system for a mobile communications network, comprising a distributed network of agents in the form of collaborative autonomous software agents wherein the agents are configured to represent and act on behalf of a user and to communicate with each other to manage, for the user, one or more electronic services (e.g. electronic messages, a purchase etc.) via the user's communications devices. Multiple types of agents include a primary personal agent, a primary creation agent for creating other agents and subordinate agents, and a primary destruction agent for destroying agents meeting pre-determined criteria based on a threshold value in relation to an agent value coefficient. Collaboration between agents is by a private user whiteboard facility whereby collaborating agents post to the whiteboard addressed electronic services, including service tasks to be performed for the user, and extract from the whiteboard electronic services addressed to them.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a seamless comparison of different global manufacturing strategies. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for analyzing a manufacturing scenario for an enterprise is provided. This method comprises a step of inputting a set of key cost inputs. The method additionally comprises a step of adjusting a set of manufacturing scenario levers to create a set of manufacturing scenario inputs. The method additionally comprises a step of synthesizing a scenario for simulation based on said set of manufacturing scenario inputs. The method additionally comprises a step of obtaining a result of said scenario for said enterprise by simulating said scenario using said key cost inputs.

Abstract: The present invention includes a computing system for evaluating a quality and risk-robustness of a utility company's capacity resource plan (CRP). The computing system computes a net present value of a total cost distribution of the CRP. The computing system calculates a standardized risk measure defined over the net present value. The computing system computes a resource plan that minimizes the standardized risk measure. Then, the computing system compares the standardized risk measure and the resource plan.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are for processing damage survey information associated with a disaster event. According to one aspect, a method for processing damage survey information associated with a disaster event includes in response to the disaster event, receiving, at a disaster recovery system (DRS), the damage survey information. In some embodiments, the damage survey information includes an area of impact that defines an area in which at least one physical plant was damaged in the disaster event and a physical plant type identifier (PPTI) for each physical plant damaged in the disaster event. Each PPTI identifies a physical plant type of a plurality of physical plant types. The method also includes analyzing the damage survey information to determine to which of a plurality of disaster recovery dispatch units (DRDUs) the DRS should route the damage survey information and routing the damage survey information to the appropriate DRDUs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling and scheduling power distribution in a power network, such as household power network. One disclosed embodiment is a system comprising a central controller and a control device coupled to a household appliance. The central controller can comprise computing hardware coupled to a wireless transceiver. The central controller can be configured to generate and transmit control signals for controlling the operational state of the household appliance according to the schedule. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to receive the transmitted control signals from the central controller and to control the operational state of the household appliance in response to the control signals.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for resource matching. One computer-implemented method for resource matching includes logically arranging a plurality of relationships between a number of tasks and a quantity of resources for performing tasks into a multi-dimensional augmenting tree order by establishing an un-matched task from a multi-dimensional bipartite graph matching solution is established as a root node, adding additional edges and nodes beginning from the root node with an un-matched edge and alternating between matched and un-matched edges until a color-unmatched resource is a leaf node, modifying the multi-dimensional augmenting tree order by un-matching matched edges and matching un-matched edges, and determining a quantity of matched edges for the modified multi-dimensional augmenting tree order. The relationships correspond to edges of the multi-dimensional bipartite graph matching solution between nodes, representing tasks, and resources respectively.

Abstract: A template-based technique for making a best practices framework actionable includes creating a formal representation of a best practices framework, where the representation includes a machine-readable template. A portion of the template is interpreted to link the portion of the template with logic that corresponds to an action. Execution of the logic is triggered to perform the action in response to occurrence of a trigger condition.

Abstract: A method including obtaining metadata specifying screens based on a business logic of the matter management workflow, generating, based on the metadata, the screens each including screen objects, where the matter management workflow includes a sequence of the screen objects specified by the metadata based on the business logic, receiving a matter management user input via the screen objects to navigate the matter management workflow, receiving a screen tester user input specifying a test instruction including a first specification based on the screen objects, generating, using the first specification and without further user intervention, a test sequence including a second specification based on the metadata, applying the test sequence to the screen objects to generate a first result depicting an evaluation of navigating the matter management workflow according to the business logic, and generating an alert in response to the first result indicating a violation to the business logic.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for creating, reconfiguring, and reusing business scenarios. In one embodiment, a complex event processing (CEP) tool expert generates a business scenario template using a CEP tool. Once the business scenario template is generated, a business user may generate multiple business scenario instances from the business scenario templates, without using the CEP tool and without involvement from the CEP tool expert.

Abstract: A system for enabling a developer to concurrently debug parallel activities in a business process or workflow, or other software process. A production server includes a business process, which includes a parallel activity. The production server is operable to receive a request to debug the business process, present a graphical representation of the business process, receive input which indicates where a breakpoint is to be added to the business process, and insert the breakpoint. When a request to debug the business process is received, the production server instantiates the business process and executes the instance, and pauses execution of the instance when a breakpoint is reached and enters debug mode. It can then receive an instruction to perform a parallel-step operation on the parallel activity, execute a plurality of current activities in the parallel activity concurrently, and pause execution before executing a next activity and waits for further input.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the final sales price and amount of time required to sell a newly listed property based on the number of viewings that the property receives within a predetermined time of the properties listing. A model is constructed based on comparable properties, and the number of viewings that the newly listed property receives within the predetermined time period is compared to the number of viewings that properties within the model set received within the same time period after their respective listings. On-market days and percent of listing price are derived from this model.

Abstract: A PLM system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes receiving a persistence model of a physical assembly and transforming the persistence model to a bill of materials (BOM) window that includes a plurality of BOM lines each corresponding to a physical part. The method includes constructing an engineering design structure corresponding to the physical assembly and creating a hybrid BOM window by combining the engineering design structure with the BOM window. The hybrid BOM window includes a plurality of hybrid BOM lines. The method includes displaying a BOM window view based on the hybrid BOM window.

Abstract: A modeling system is configured to model a building from incomplete physical constraint information. When initial user input related to the proposed building is received that identifies a building type, a location, and a square footage, the modeling system retrieves a baseline factor based on the user input and multiplies it by the square footage to produce a baseline energy usage model. As additional user inputs are received that further define the proposed building, efficiency factors are selectively applied that model the energy usage impact related to particular user inputs to produce an adjusted energy usage model, which can be compared to the baseline energy usage model.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for automatically recalibrating risk models are presented. An identifier of a modeling function may be received. The modeling function may have at least one input variable and a first set of one or more coefficients. Updated performance data that includes at least one input value corresponding to the at least one input variable may be received from a data source. Then, a second set of one or more coefficients may be calculated for the modeling function based on the updated performance data. If it is subsequently determined that the modeling function more accurately models the updated performance data when the second set of one or more coefficients is used in computing a result of the modeling function, then the first set of one or more coefficients may be replaced with the second set of one or more coefficients to recalibrate the modeling function.

Abstract: A method and system for user-generated content policy optimization are described. In example embodiments, a harvester module receives listing data from a database. The listing data represents user-generated content maintained by a content serving platform, such as a network-based marketplace. An impact module calculates a compliance impact based on a profile report. The profile report includes use of elements in the listing data. A policy module analyzes the policy affecting the user-generated content.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for planning changes to network data processing systems. A number of processes performed in a current network data processing system and labor used to perform the number processes are identified. Resources in the current network data processing system used by the number of processes are identified. A first cost for labor used to perform the number of processes using the current network data processing system is calculated. A second cost for the resources in the current network data processing system is calculated. A first change in the first cost for labor in a new network data processing system based on a number of changes to the number of processes when the number of processes is performed in the new network data processing system is identified. A second change in the second cost for the resources in the new network data processing system is identified.

Abstract: A method of managing work-in-process (WIP) inventory includes receiving inputs, via a user interface of a computer processing device. The inputs correspond to variables defined for modules. Each of the modules includes a set of instructions for determining and quantifying a corresponding WIP inventory driver. The method also includes executing instructions on the inputs by one or more of the modules. The inputs are applied to corresponding modules based on respective variables defined for the modules. The method further includes deriving a quantified WIP inventory resulting from execution of the instructions categorized by corresponding WIP inventory drivers.