Abstract: In a method of a technology for visual workflow process notation and layout, a workflow process graphical user interface is generated. A plurality of activity nodes is arranged along a workflow path, with each activity node representing a work activity. The activity nodes are arranged on the workflow path in representation of an order of performance of work activities within the process of performing work. A material flow path is arranged adjacent to the workflow path. The material flow path is representative of a flow of a material through the work activities associated with the plurality of activity nodes. A resource allocation node is disposed adjacent to a portion of the material flow path and one of said activity nodes. The resource allocation node represents a resource utilized in performing a work activity, represented by the adjacent activity node, upon a material represented by the portion of the material flow path.

Abstract: The invention provides novel systems, methods and software for business activity monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, for example, events can be monitored and/or evaluated before the data is stored in a database. This can provide for real-time business activity monitoring and, in some cases, can prevent the database from becoming a bottleneck in the monitoring process. Merely by way of example, a business activity monitor process might be implemented in a middleware layer between an enterprise application and the database that is used to store data for the application.

Abstract: Features of electronically embodied games are logically categorized, analyzed, and compared. Features are preferably organized according to a hierarchical classification scheme, according to a classification scheme that is not strictly tautological. All suitable feature sets are contemplated, including sets corresponding to characteristics of personifications of players and non-players, types and/or uses of game space, methods of rewarding a player, etc. In other aspects comparisons are made between an evaluation game and one or more sets of historically available games. Such sets can be grouped by genre and the number of games in such sets can range anywhere from a single game to hundreds of games, or more. Reporting and guidance can include providing a risk assessment score or other risk analysis, feature assessment (prevalence), market placement, business model analysis, dynamic trend analysis, clustered pattern recognition, and image analysis.

Abstract: A workflow server is connected with operating computer terminals through a network to manage workflow. The workflow server consolidates information necessary for processing multiple consecutive nodes to be processed by one participant operating one of the operating computer terminals, and sends the consolidated information to the operating computer terminal concerned.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for more efficiently enhancing the personalization and customization of services while avoiding an undue overburdening of personnel, infrastructure or resources. An input service component comprising a plurality of tasks is assimilated, similarity among the tasks is determined, and output service components are routed to resources based on similarity among the tasks, the service components each comprising a subgroup of similar tasks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, two or more links, coupled to a first service provider (SP) that charges a price for utilization of services according to a first pricing structure, are combined to form a single virtual combined link. Each of the two or more links of the virtual combined link and one or more other links, coupled to a second SP that charges a price for utilization of services according to a second pricing structure, are monitored to obtain link data. The link data for the two of more links of the virtual combined link is merged to form link data for the virtual combined link. Data distribution among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links is optimized to distribute data among the virtual combined link and the one or more other links in a manner that minimizes cost.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an evaluation module that is configured to monitor activities of new users and ascertain, from monitored activities, a reputation associated with the new users. In at least some embodiments, the evaluation module comprises an activity store and/or a reputation service. The activity store can monitor different types of actions associated with new users. For example, the activity store can monitor content-based actions that pertain to particular pieces of content and/or user behaviors associated with new users. The reputation service, which may or may not comprise part of the evaluation module, can ascertain from information provided from the activity store, information, such as a reputation category, associated with content-based actions and/or user behaviors associated with new users. Based on a new user's information, e.g. reputation category, the new user can be assigned an activity type which, in turn, defines allowed and disallowed activities for the new user.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for automating the work order and specification processes for engineering projects. All documentation is generated, saved, and retrievable over the web according to an identifier. The application is accessible through the user's web browser and is thus available to authorized users irrespective of physical location. The method also consolidates two traditionally separate work order and specification processes.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods allowing comprehensive access to, and management of, workforce data from a remote location. Embodiments may allow communication of information between a mobile device of a supervisor or section leader working at a remote site, and a centralized information repository. Embodiments allow the user to communicate with a central enterprise resource management (ERM) application in order to receive and update relevant employment information. Utilizing certain embodiments, a supervisor working remotely may be able to quickly identify work schedules of various staff members, as well as gain access to information such as employee time management data, shift assignments, overtime, skill sets, and absences. Certain embodiments may allow a mobile device to display and/or modify information such as work schedules, time entries, clock-in/clock-out times, available/consumed vacation time, and on-call lists of replacement candidates possessing appropriate skills.

Abstract: A system and a method for aggregating and transmitting process metadata of a heterogeneous production system, the production system including a plurality of process devices to manufacture a product, the method comprising the steps of sending a user request from a communication device to a central unit, generating a metadata profile based on the user request at the central unit, accessing at least one of the plurality of the process devices of the process via an aggregation module of the central unit by using standardized control signals that were generated upon a user request, the aggregation module having access to the process devices, locating and authenticating the manufactured product in the process by the aggregation module based on authentication data; capturing process-specific data specific to the manufactured and authenticated product from the process at the aggregation module based on standardized control signals; transmitting the process-specific data from the aggregation module to the central unit

Abstract: A system for yield management comprising an application server that provides a web application where e-commerce managers may define cohorts and pricing policies, a web server that provides a web-based interface for interacting with the application server as well as a web-based interface where clients may query for pricing policies, a reporting server that computes aggregate statistics on cohorts, a cohorting server that computes cohort definitions, and an administration server that contextualizes cohort metrics for use in reporting operations.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a computer-implemented method, for solving a problem for a user.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for facilitating analysis of performance indicators. In accordance with one aspect, a hierarchical structure with a node representing a performance indicator is configured. Such configuration may include mapping one or more lowest level nodes to one or more data models for retrieving transactional data. In addition, one or more internal nodes of the hierarchical structure may be configured, including mapping the one or more internal nodes to one or more corresponding child nodes. The configuration data generated by such configuration may then be stored in a database for subsequent retrieval to generate a report.

Abstract: The disclosed architecture is an end-to-end supply chain audit and compliance architecture that enables users to capture pertinent supplier information throughout the entire supply chain, and conduct comprehensive risk analysis as part of due diligence compliance efforts. The architecture find particular applicability to monitoring the origin and introduction into the supply chain of conflict minerals, such as gold, diamonds, oil, etc., that have been obtained illegally or against moral and ethical standards. The architecture also enables the exposure of forced labor sources, counterfeit materials, and false quality certifications.

Abstract: A data processing system accesses a group of events to identify a group of types of events and aggregates at least some of the events into a group of items. Each of the events is aggregated by binding another event to an event identified as a particular type of event based on a correspondence between the event and the particular type of event and binding additional information to the event identified as the particular type of event based on a relationship between the additional information and the particular type of event. The data processing system also rendezvous one of the items with an event.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a method and system for analyzing and investigating digital data stored in digital device. The method comprises acquiring a disk image comprising digital data from a digital device of an exhibit, loading the disk image using a disk analysis tool, analyzing the disk image through a graphical user interface or browser interface for searching for the evidence by a visualization and interactive analysis module, managing the investigation process among an investigation team by an investigation management module, handling the workflow collaboration within the investigation team by a workflow and collaboration module, processing one or more text base documents by a text mining module, and representing the entire disk image visually to the investigator for easy, interactive and intuitive analysis of the exhibit. The text mining module comprises one or more advanced text mining algorithms for processing text based documents to extract critical information.

Abstract: An apparatus for pruning a value driver tree includes memory configured to store a value driver tree including one or more parent metrics determined to be of value to a party and one or more child metrics associated with the one or more parent metrics, and configured to store historical metrics data. The apparatus includes a processor configured to perform a statistical analysis on the value driver tree based on the historical metrics data, and configured to prune the value driver tree based on the statistical analysis by altering a relationship on the value driver tree of the one or more child metrics to the one or more parent metrics to generate a refined value drive tree.

Abstract: A management apparatus includes: a unit to read configuration information of information processing apparatuses, which contains an attribute value of each of information processing apparatuses and a reference relationship between the information processing apparatuses, and log information containing a first type command executed by the information processing apparatuses; a unit to check a parameter value specified by the first type command with the configuration information of information processing apparatuses and to extract path information indicating a relationship between first configuration information of a first information processing apparatus with the first type command being executed and second configuration information of a second information processing apparatus that contains and attribute value coincident with the parameter value; and a unit to generate a second type command with the path information being specified in the first type command in place of the parameter value.

Abstract: An event recording is received. The event is associated with an event entity and occurs over an event duration at an event location. A tag is received responsive to user interaction with a communication device. The tag is associated with at least one of the particular entity associated with the event entity, a particular time period associated with the event duration, and a particular location associated with the event location. Additional information associated with the event recording is received, and the tag is matched with at least a portion of the event recording based on at least one of the particular entity, the particular time period, and the particular location associated with the received tag. The portion of the event recording matching the received tag is presented for review along with the received additional information associated with the event recording.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying and tracing of items within an assembly or manufacturing process. An individual item identifier (“ID”) is assigned to an item during one or more of an initial assembly step and a manufacturing step. A surface of the item is read to determine a first surface profile of the item which is associated with the individual item ID. The first surface profile and the individual item ID are stored in a database. The surface of the item is read to determine a second surface profile of the item after each manufacturing or assembling process step in which the surface of the item is manipulated. The second surface profile is compared with the first surface profile and the second surface profile is associated with the individual item ID in response to a mismatch between the first surface profile and the second surface profile.

Abstract: A system and method for selling, provisioning, transacting, fulfilling, delivering and supporting simple and complex business and technical professional services in an on demand fashion for various service industries based specifically around the life cycle development relative to the specialized industry. The on demand selling, fulfillment and delivery of business and technical professional services is accomplished through a previously unused system which allows services to be administered from a plurality of specialized consultants to end clients via a ‘retail type’ framework which is built upon a converged Internet, call center, telecommunications and ancillary software platform.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for monitoring the quality of service of a service provider, the method comprising the steps of receiving first and second reports from first and second clients, respectively, the first and second reports having information relating to the quality of service provided by the service provider to the first and second clients, respectfully, and estimating the quality of service of the service provider by aggregating the information in the first and second reports and comparing the aggregated information with conditions set forth in an agreement involving the service provider.

Abstract: Joint pricing and replenishment of freshness inventory or products having different qualities determines the joint pricing and inventory strategies to optimize the retailer's benefits from product freshness, employing a dynamic programming formulation that incorporates a demand model that captures consumer choice based on both the freshness and price.

Abstract: A data processing system may be implemented as a program product embodied on a processing system readable medium for implementing a method for using mobile code for implementing a service in a global ecosystem of interrelated services in an enterprise. The enterprise may include a group of network domains, where each of the network domains further includes a group of servers; at least one service container running on each of the servers; and a group of interrelated services, where each of the interrelated services may run on any of the at least one service container.

Abstract: A system may include a processor that may receive a first set of energy data associated with a first asset in an automation system, wherein the first set energy data comprises a first confidence level associated with the first set energy data, receive an operational status associated with the first asset, wherein the operational status indicates operational characteristics of the first asset, and updating the first confidence level based on the operational status and a first energy profile associated with the first asset.

Abstract: A harvest support method executed by a computer includes determining a day within a harvest grace period of a first cultivation among cultivations of crops as a recommended harvest date of the first cultivation where the day has a minimum interval with a planned harvest date of the first cultivation; and determining a day included in a harvest grace period of a second cultivation among the cultivations of crops as a recommended harvest date of the second cultivation where the day has an interval with the planned harvest date of the first cultivation in which the interval is closest to an interval between the planned harvest date of the first cultivation and a planned harvest date of the second cultivation, wherein the harvest grace periods and planned harvest dates of the first and second cultivations are stored in a storage unit.

Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for relationship mapping are provided. Example embodiments provide a Relationship Mapping System RMS, which provide information to enable users to learn about relationships. Example embodiments provide a Relationship Mapping System (“RMS”), which enables users to perform business development, fundraising or other related activities. The RMS comprises software algorithms, a software application, and a database system that can be deployed on the premises of one Party, or be configured and made available via the Internet or other communications wide area network as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application to multiple unrelated Parties.

Abstract: An invention for tracking the status, physical location, and logical location of a workflow object as an object of a particular process is created and progresses logically through the phases of associated with the lifecycle. The workflow object remains, at all times, physically stored in an object repository. Each workflow object has at least one embedded new technology file system (NTFS) tag, wherein the NTFS tag is extended as the workflow object progresses through the phases of a workflow cycle. The embedded and extended NTFS tags define a state of the object progressing through said phases of said workflow cycle. Such embedded and extended NTFS tags can be extracted to obtain properties, methods, and events associated with a requested object, and a GUI displays the extracted information indicating status, physical location, and logical location of one or more workflow objects in a workflow cycle.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods for concisely communicating real-time business information to end users in an enterprise network is described. An integrated business system having at least ERP and CRM functionality is accessed via browser-based user interface. A plurality of portlet windows are simultaneously displayed within a browser window, each portlet window occupying a relatively small area therein. The portlet windows are selected and arranged according to a customizable user profile for each user, and include reporting portlets displaying up-to-date business results retrieved from the integrated business system. Each reporting portlet further comprises report access links associated with at least one of the business results that, when selected by the user, invoke browser-based displays of up-to-date business data underlying those business results.

Abstract: A facility includes a location node having a transceiver of wireless signals. It communicates with a central hub and mobile devices in the facility. The nodes are located in a specific location in the facility, and provide data about the movement of the entities in the facility relative to the location. Includes at least one of entry into the location, departure from the location, amount of time spent in the vicinity of the location; and the data being transmitted to the operator in at least one of real time or being for storage and analysis at a later time for use by the operator. There can be a series of location nodes in the facility. The nodes provide data about the movement of the entities in the facility, such data including the travel path of the entities in the facility.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for improving engagement with a recommendation engine that recommends items, peers, and services are provided. Stored data of a plurality of users is electronically accessed and analyzed. A respective passive profile is determined for each of the users based on the analyzing of the stored data. The respective passive profiles are then stored for use by the recommendation engine. The recommendation engine can then provide recommendations for at least one of items, peers, and services to a respective user based on at least the respective passive profile. The recommendations may be further based on at least one of an explicit profile comprising information provided by the respective user and an activity profile based on tracked activity of the respective user with regard to prior recommended items.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for online advice customer relationship management are described. The method includes the determination of a service provider ID code from a requesting service provider. Once a service provider ID code is determined, a list of service seekers that have received advice regarding a field of service from a service provider corresponding to the service provider ID code is generated. Once generated, the listing of service seekers is displayed via a customer management screen. As such, system administrators, as well as the service providers themselves, may view listings of service seekers in order to provide relationship management of the service seekers, such as for example, providing incentives to service seekers for follow-up advice, as well as blocking undesired service seekers from further contact with the service provider.

Abstract: A system of tools and methodologies configured to capture, process, and analyze user interaction through multimedia tagging for the purpose of exposing users' adapted behavior when they are performing their job function with the legacy application is described. The resulting analysis can be applied to the re-engineering process in order to create a new application that is fully functional in a modern context.

Abstract: A farm work support method executed by a computer includes calculating a forecast harvest date of a first cultivation of crops based on result values of a weather condition from a start date of the first cultivation to a current day stored in a storage unit, and forecast values of the weather condition after the current day stored in the storage unit, and calculating a forecast harvest date of a second cultivation of crops based on the forecast values after the current day stored in the storage unit; and determining the current day as a start date of the second cultivation if an interval between the forecast harvest date of the first cultivation and the forecast harvest date of the second cultivation has the number of days greater than or equal to a predetermined number of days.

Abstract: A method for customer-based outcome prediction that includes receiving recordings of interactions with customers in a customer group, analyzing the recordings of the interactions to generate interaction data, and building a predictive model using the interaction data, the predictive model identifying a variable relevant to predicting a likelihood of an identified outcome occurring in association with future interactions with customers in the customer group. The method also includes receiving a recording of a current interaction with a first customer, the first customer being in the customer group and analyzing the recording of the current interaction with the first customer to generate current interaction data. Further, the method includes adding the current interaction data to a first customer profile associated with the first customer and applying the predictive model to the first customer profile to predict the likelihood of the identified outcome occurring in association with the current interaction.

Abstract: A method, system and/or computer program product for managing condition action rules comprises: a treated case modeler for building a family of cases that make some rules applicable; a conflict detector for iteratively building and testing subsets of cases of the family searching for cases with conflicting decisions in order to locate a subset of cases that all have conflicting decisions. The conflict detector is further adapted for eliminating subsets of cases that have all non-conflicting decisions. The conflict detector is further adapted for distinguishing conflicting decisions from unrelated decisions and thus avoids the reporting of false conflicts.

Abstract: A method for customer-based outcome prediction that includes receiving recordings of interactions with customers in a customer group, analyzing the recordings of the interactions to generate interaction data, and building a predictive model using the interaction data, the predictive model identifying a variable relevant to predicting a likelihood of an identified outcome occurring in association with future interactions with customers in the customer group. The method also includes receiving a recording of a current interaction with a first customer, the first customer being in the customer group and analyzing the recording of the current interaction with the first customer to generate current interaction data. Further, the method includes adding the current interaction data to a first customer profile associated with the first customer and applying the predictive model to the first customer profile to predict the likelihood of the identified outcome occurring in association with the current interaction.

Abstract: An airline operations control system for an airline having multiple aircraft and multiple routes formed by one or more flights, which are implemented by the aircraft flying the flights forming the routes, where the airline operations control system includes a computer searchable database, a query module configured to query the database, and a prognostic module.

Abstract: A plurality of takeoff objectives are set based on a takeoff request with respect to a target step in production lines, at least throughput of each production line, and basic information of a production plan for each production line, production plan data satisfying the plurality of takeoff objectives is obtained, takeoff objective delay data indicating that the production plan data is delayed with respect to the plurality of takeoff objectives is obtained, and at least a degree of delay of the product is displayed based on the production plan data and the takeoff objective delay data in accordance with each of the plurality of takeoff objectives in a preset display conformation.

Abstract: The present invention enables SLOs and their values to be determined in a system established for the purpose of providing services to users by accepting requirement values from a user with respect to desired SLOs, and presenting, as candidates which can be selected by a user, SLO groups satisfying those requirement values and SLO groups satisfying those requirement values as nearly as possible, and prompting the user to select a candidate. With this service level objective management system, an administrator inputs SLO names, SLO group names, the SLO names and target values for SLOs belonging to the SLO groups, a hierarchical relationships of the SLO groups, and the like. In addition, user-specified SLO names and requirement values with respect to those SLOs are received from user terminals. A combination specification means 94 calculates the degree to which the target values satisfy the requirement values for each combination of SLO groups, from the highest-ranked SLO group to the lowest-ranked SLO group.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of computing optimal product usage comprising storing corporate information as a floor plan containing a plurality of hierarchical levels of a corporate organization; storing benchmark data describing a current product usage for at least one application within the corporate organization; performing an analysis based on the corporate information and the benchmark data to determine an optimum usage of a plurality of products for the at least one application; and generating a product usage recommendation based on the determined optimum usage.

Abstract: A method for utilizing firearm discharge data in a crime reporting and tracking database, includes: recording one or more discharges of a firearm; transmitting information from the discharging firearm to a crime reporting and tracking database; utilizing the transmitted information to establish relationships between the discharged firearm, committed crimes, and missing persons within the crime reporting and tracking database; and wherein the recording and transmitting is carried out by devices within the firearm.

Abstract: A particular method includes selecting a subset of a plurality of dimension members of a multi-dimensional data set. The method also includes computing a plurality of dimensional scores for the dimension members in the selected subset. Each dimensional score is associated with a particular dimension member in the subset and is a measure of a dimensional influence of the associated dimension member on a metric associated with the multi-dimensional data set. A dimension member with greater dimensional influence affects a value of the metric over a population more than a dimension member with less dimensional influence. The method further includes ranking the dimension members in the selected subset based on the dimensional scores.

Abstract: An interface in an attribute calculation module external to an enterprise receives a request for data from a computer associated with the enterprise. The processor determines attribute calculations from an attribute calculation rule set based on the request and calculates the determined attribute calculations on external data. The interface communicates the calculated external data to the computer associated with the enterprise. The interface receives an attribute calculation update to the attribute calculation rule set from an attribute management module associated with the enterprise. The processor updates the attribute calculation rule set based on the attribute calculation update.

Abstract: Issues are linked to items that are external to the system installation to connect people, teams, and applications, in which users can share issues and search results with each other. Remote issue links connect issue tracking system issues to objects and pages in other instances, such as Web applications. Activity streams show events from all linked applications and third-party applications. In another embodiment, a user is allowed to copy issues from one issue tracking system instance to another. Once an application link is established between the local issue tracking system instance and another, a new issue action, remote copy, appears in a view issue page. The user is prompted to map field values by field names for the issue tracking system's built-in fields and/or to configure default values for required fields. In some embodiments, appropriate permissions are required to set the field value on the target site.

Abstract: A method and system for managing driving patterns by charging a variable incentive and/or disincentive based on individual driving behaviors. Distances detected between a vehicle and other vehicles are detected within a time period. N tailgating incidents are identified based on the detected distances being less than a threshold value for distance. A variable toll is determined by evaluating a function of a base amount and N. The driver of the vehicle is charged the variable toll. Charging the variable toll provides an incentive to the driver to encourage driving that does not include tailgating or a disincentive to the driver to deter tailgating.

Abstract: Provides workflow systems and methods. A workflow system having a matchmaking unit for receiving a task query from a workflow, and a plurality of task definer units, each providing a definition of a task. The matchmaking unit communicates with the task definer units to evaluate the task definitions against the task query based on at least one property associated with each task definition and provides at least one of the task definitions to the workflow as offers based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A system for generating a work unit test ahead candidate list. A list is generated of all potential candidate systems for test ahead operations. A system in the potential candidate list is selected. It is determined whether any work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts. Determining that no work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts, a complexity score is calculated for each work unit in the selected system. The calculated complexity scores are added to a total system complexity score. It is then determined whether an override exists for a work unit in the selected system. Determining that an override does exist, the selected system is removed from the potential candidate list. A candidate list is generated from remaining systems in the potential candidate list. Then, the candidate list is outputted to provide recommendations for optimizing work unit test ahead operations.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job.

Abstract: A method for performing oilfield operations for an oilfield having a subterranean formation with an underground reservoir therein, the oilfield being provided with at least one wellsite with oilfield equipment for extracting fluid from the underground reservoir, involving collecting data comprising trajectory and earth properties associated with a planned well for a geoscience application to obtain a geoscience model, invoking a well planning system integrated with the geoscience application, extracting the trajectory and earth properties from the geoscience model to obtain an extracted trajectory and extracted earth properties, determining at least one parameter for the planned well based on the extracted trajectory and the extracted earth properties, and displaying the at least one parameter associated with the planned well within a geological context of the geoscience application to allow refinement of the planned well for efficient fluid extraction from the underground reservoir.