Abstract: A method has been revealed, which is applicable in the execution of tasks, characterized with the presumed use of products from more than one supplier during their realization, cost- setting and payment for electronic content and/or software and/or services, rendered by operators of computer-based systems, functioning in a common environment such as the Internet, cloudy environment, etc. The method provides the opportunity for cost-setting and payment, guaranteeing the free participation of various suppliers.

Abstract: A method may include receiving an order associated with processing a media file and generating a workflow associated with fulfilling the order. The method may also include identifying tasks associated with the workflow and generating an estimate associated with executing the tasks. The method may further include allocating resources associated with executing the tasks and scheduling execution of the order.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards generating schedules for managing team members that may be responsible to be on-call for responding to incidents. Schedules may be configured to schedule team members and manage the rotation of one or more team members assigned to one or more schedule layers. Also, schedules may be employed to determine which team member may be responsible to respond and/or resolve incidents that may be reported and/or detected. If a team member is determined to be the on-call or responsible team member, a notification engine may determine the methods for notify the responsible of the incidents. Further, the notification engine may monitor whether the responsible team has received the notification. The notification engine may employ one or more other notification methods to ensure that the responsible team member may be notified.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer-program product for providing a unified connectivity to a plurality of business processes are disclosed. A plurality of business processes for connection to a server are provided. A uniform configuration connection assembly for connecting the plurality of business processes to the server is generated. The uniform configuration connection assembly is configured based on at least one profile corresponding to at least one business process in the plurality of business processes and contains at least one connectivity artifact for performing at least one connectivity task for at least one business process in the plurality of business processes. At least a portion of the plurality of business processes to the server is connected based on the generated uniform configuration connection assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for systems management. The method includes receiving user information and systems management data as machine learning inputs. The user information labels a state of one or more computing resources. The method includes recognizing a pattern, using machine learning, in the systems management data. The method includes modifying a configuration of a systems management system based on the labeled state and the recognized pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing hotels (or any other organizations having one or more physical locations requiring various resources) to (1) measure their energy, water, waste and carbon emissions, (2) manage and control the elements of the hotel that impact the environment the most, and (3) report on the progress of the measurement, management and control, to the hotel owners, franchisors, franchisees and guests.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems and techniques for determining a start delay and an execution delay for a task. During operation, the system can receive a status update for the task which indicates that the task has started execution. Next, the system can receive a second status update for the task which indicates that the task has completed execution. The system can then determine the start delay for the task by: determining an actual start time using the first status update; and determining a difference between the actual start time and the task's suggested start time. Next, the system can determine the execution delay for the task by: determining an actual execution duration using the first status update and the second status update; and determining a difference between the actual execution duration and the task's planned execution duration.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards generating and managing schedules. In at least one of the various embodiments, these schedules may be configured to schedule team members, rotating which team member is active (“on-call”). In at least one of the various embodiments, these may be employed to determine which resource is responsible to respond and/or resolve incidents that may be reported and/or detected. In at least one of the various embodiments, if a team member is determined to be the on-call or responsible team member, the notification engine may determine the methods for notify the responsible of the incidents. Schedules previews may be updated in real-time as the schedule is edited.

Abstract: A plurality of traditional software applications are packaged as custom composite solutions, and are stored as custom composite solution deployable images. Customer input is obtained from a customer. At least one of the custom composite solution deployable images is deployed into a management cloud in response to the customer input.

Abstract: An ordering system backend includes an ordering system module, an exclusion system module, an exception system module, a summary system module, and a display device. The ordering system module is configured to receive ordering data for a plurality of orders and to receive information concerning the flowthrough status of the order. The exclusion system module is configured to generate or receive a plurality of exclusions associated with a plurality of exceptions for the plurality of orders. The exception system module is configured to generate or receive exception data associated with the plurality of orders, to receive the plurality of exclusions from the exclusion system module, and to update the exception data based on the plurality of exclusions. The summary system module is configured to calculate summary level data based on the plurality of orders and the exception data, and to create summary tables based on the summary level data.

Abstract: The present invention is an abstraction layer that “hides” the complexity of underlying workflow engine and provides a unified application programming interface (API) to access underlying workflow functions. The abstraction layer of the present invention serves as a gateway between application flow logic and one or more workflow engines and allows an application to build flow implementation logic once and then be able to run on various workflow engines without significant code changes. The present invention also enables different workflow engines to run concurrently to support one application and without the need for applications to migrate or consolidate to one workflow engine.

Abstract: The method for developing an actionable IT service catalog at large organizations is disclosed. IT Service catalog helps IT organizations showcase the value of IT services they deliver to their business customers. Service catalogs are made actionable by incorporating Service Request and Service portfolio functions for the in scope services. The method focuses on articulating and documenting these services, facilitating service request and fulfillment and modeling/modifying service portfolios The method is comprising of service domains for services to move through various lifecycle stages within the IT service catalog from their point of inception to it's decommission; and domain components for each service domain to fulfill certain objectives during the services' journey through the IT Service Catalog. The proposed method is a process oriented framework to the development of IT Service Catalog at large organizations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for assessing the status of work waiting for service in a work queue or a work pool. Work items are placed in the work queue or work pool and have a service time goal. The work items in the work queue or work pool are scanned and a required queue position for each work item is calculated according to the amount of time remaining prior to the expiration of the service time goal and weighted advance time for servicing of work items in the work queue or pool. An array of counters has elements which correspond to required queue positions. Upon the calculation of the required queue position for a work item, the counter corresponding to the required queue position is incremented. When all of the work items are scanned, the array of counters is analyzed to predict a future state of the work queue or work pool.

Abstract: A production management system is configured to dynamically control inventory of a semiconductor product to prevent overstock and stockout. The production management system includes a production planning module including components containing data of demand forecast, and customer order. The production management system further includes a dynamic inventory control module including a dynamic inventory control simulation module and an inventory management system, wherein the inventory management system is configured to record real inventory data, and wherein the dynamic inventory control simulation module includes simulators for target inventory, future inventory, future shipment and semiconductor product production.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, a method may include acquiring, by a session manager, a list of active sessions. In various embodiments, each session may include a grouped plurality of sub-tasks that are configured to be sequentially performed in order to accomplish a business management task. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a selection of one of the sessions to supervise. In one embodiment, the method may include retrieving a list of the at least one event listener(s) from a session context associated with the selected session. In another embodiment, the method may include receiving events generated by the session.

Abstract: This invention relates to providing a system for project planning and scheduling which supports simplified, interactive, graphics-based project planning and scheduling using new planning concepts, new scheduling concepts and new graphics-based software systems. Further, this invention permits an inexperienced user to simultaneously plan and schedule a project including establishing appropriate relationship (or dependency) links between activities, also commonly referred to as tasks, and between activities and milestones. This invention offers the simplest possible scheme of thought that can tie together activities, relationships and milestones, with or without deadlines, to yield a complete, correct network project schedule in the shortest possible time.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for identifying a set of ERP tasks performed by the ERP system when it is functional and for identifying a set of Interim Business Processes (IBPs) associated with ERP tasks. The method includes creating a set of IBP data capture tools Another step is assigning an IBP data capture tool to each IBP optionally using an IBP data main coordinating tool. Another step is identifying a set of responsibility centers in the business entity. Another step is providing an access link to each responsibility center to the IBP data capture tool and sending a notice to each responsibility center to begin capturing data at a predetermined time. Another step is receiving the IBP data from the IBP data capture tools optionally using the IBP data main coordinating tool, and storing the IBP data received optionally using the IBP data main coordinating tool.

Abstract: A program resiliency management system having a resilience management engine that can generate a resiliency metric representative of how resilient a program is with respect to a particular event. The resiliency metric can be based on the characteristics of a program represented by program features and features related to the impact a particular event has on a program. The resilience of a program represented by the resiliency metric can be with respect to a program's capacity to resist an event, respond to the event, and recover from the event.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems, methods, and other embodiments for processing and recording defects. In one embodiment, an application is executed in a server that processes and records defects detected by a user at a receiving station client. Based on a retrieved vendor profile, the application selects an inspection sequence for a user to execute. The inspection sequence is selected based on a history of defects specified in the vendor profile. The application also determines whether supervision is needed based on the performance of the user.

Abstract: An approach that manages a service oriented architecture (SOA) lifecycle organization change is provided. In one embodiment, there is a change management tool, including a retrieval component configured to retrieve a proposed change; a lifecycle defining component configured to define an SOA lifecycle based on the proposed change; a services portfolio component configured to identify a plurality of SOA shared services in services portfolio that addresses the proposed change; a stakeholder component configured to identify stakeholders having an interest in the proposed change; an impact component configured to determine impacts of the proposed change on the stakeholders; a deployment planning component configured to develop a service deployment plan and communication plan related to the proposed change; and an implementation component configured to implement the plurality of SOA shared services that addresses the proposed change.

Abstract: A system and method of managing tasks and organizations is provided herein.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system and methods are provided for managing resource allocation by generating a finance-investment plan relative to one or more time intervals while maintaining a cash reserve at a predetermined threshold based on information related to financial activities including asset related activities and liability related activities. The systems and methods may include evaluating accounts receivable patterns for each asset to determine cash surplus ranges within the one or more time intervals, evaluating accounts payable patterns for each liability to determine cash flow gaps within the one or more time intervals, maintaining an asset-to-liability ratio during the one or more time intervals, and generating the finance-investment plan while maintaining the cash reserve at the predetermined threshold within the one or more time intervals based on the asset-to-liability ratio and potential cash flow forecasting schemes for each asset and liability.

Abstract: A system and method for managing workflow including the ability to manage system-level workflow strategy, manage individual workflow activity, and provide suggestions to optimize individual workflow activity, is provided. The system may provide suggestions to workers based on their schedules and activities that the workers have to perform. Users of the system may configure the criteria used in determining which suggestions to provide to workers. The system may refine the suggestions provided to workers based on feedback received regarding the suggestions previously provided.

Abstract: Computing systems, methods, and program products can support a closed retail network. A computing system can receive an inquiry from a first member entity of a retail network and identifying a product of interest. The system can use a datastore to determine if the product of interest is available for sale by a first member by determining if the product is available from a second member. If the product of interest is available for sale, the computing system can indicate that the product is available, receive data from the first member entity indicating that the product has been sold to a customer and including payment information, use the payment information to transfer funds from the customer, and initiate a distribution of the transferred funds to the first and second member entities. The system may consider distribution rules in determining if the product is available for sale by the first member.

Abstract: A method for managing a shift schedule, involving obtaining employee data for employees, a payroll constraint for a time period, and an employer requirement for the shift schedule, and collecting an employee availability schedule from each employee. The method further involves generating shift schedules based on the payroll constraint, employee data, employer requirement, and employee availability schedules, determining a payroll budget associated with each shift schedule, ranking the shift schedules based on the payroll budget to obtain a ranked list of shift schedules, and presenting the ranked list of shift schedules to an employer.

Abstract: The invention comprises management of programs and mega-programs with emphasis on project level and above in a hierarchy that enables aggregation of information navigating up, and breakdown of details navigating down the hierarchy. It provides the flexibility of combining real-time management of budget with multiple editions, on call, asset tracking and capacity management of people and non-people resources within the same structure, vendor management, and real-time cross-program interlinking of dependencies and business considerations. The invention enables invocation of each function at every node in the hierarchy and localizes the related information at the invoking source. The functions encompass management of action items, status reports, approvals, meetings/decision making, issues, risks, change management and attachments with built in workflows that enable interactive collaboration and action triggering within the system and across external systems through condition and threshold setting.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for acquiring output activity, utilization capacity and/or effluent data from an facility on a facility-by-facility and/or an industry-by-industry basis. The system is designed to generate a plant and/or industry output activity database that is updated on a continuous, near continuous, periodic and/or intermittent basis so that subscribers are apprised of changes in plant or overall industry output. A clearing house is also disclosed for distributing the acquired data to subscribers to aid in analyzing, predicting trends, pricing, maintaining, adjusting, minimizing, and/or maximizing individual plant or overall industry output.

Abstract: A method and system for using a structured analytical process to model, analyze, plan and improve anticipated flows of information across agencies, department, companies etc. and across different disciplines and jurisdictions. The method includes a structured process for improving the flow of information through need-based communication planning. The method identifies the need for information, describes its availability and specifies the restrictions on its dissemination. It then uncovers information sharing opportunities, generates communication plans, discovers preventable communication breakdowns and prioritizes their remediations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media with executable instructions stored thereon for a virtual machine (VM) placement plan are provided. Seasonality of a measured aggregated resource usage of a group of VMs can be identified. A VM placement plan for the identified seasonality can be generated by a computing device.

Abstract: A technology analysis system automatically monitors information available from both publicly and privately distributed networks of information for details that are relevant to a technology hypothesis. The technology analysis system provides a technology radar that assists with determining how the technology hypothesis stands up against ongoing developments in technology. The technology analysis system also visualizes the technology hypothesis and its underlying precursor predictions using a web portal, dynamic document, or other visualization technique.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for co-ordinating the sending of electronic messages in such a way that a positive feedback loop is created. This is achieved by linking the messages to a form with inputs configured to facilitate submission of a greater multiple of additional addressee entries than with other known methods. Subsequent messages are optionally sent out by the submitters themselves to increase effectiveness of delivery. Financial and other incentives are proposed to motivate participants to provide inputs. The cascading chain reaction effect is modulated by the interposition of a central control server which formats the outgoing messages and extracts from them any addressees thought to have already been sent a particular periodic message, or which represent opt-outs. The control server may itself add extra addressee entries from stored databases to the outgoing messages of participants sent by them with their consent, further supporting the effect.

Abstract: A system and method for managing transportation transactions according to which one or more vehicles such as, for example, airplanes, depart from a specific location such as, for example, an airline gate.

Abstract: A migration system and method. The migration method comprises receiving a request to generate a migration plan for an entity and generating a strategic plan comprising procedures for transferring knowledge required for performing job functions comprised by a first set of individuals to a second set of individuals and defining a set of temporary individuals to perform a transition management process. Additionally, an allocation plan and a ramping down plan are generated. The allocation plan is for allocating the set of temporary resources to the entity for the transition management process and allocating the second set of individuals for the transferring. The ramping down plan is for ramping down to close out the set of temporary individuals based on external data. The resource migration plan is for supporting the entity.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a model so predict measurements that are received by receivers due to transmissions by sources based on estimated positions of the receivers relative to the sources. The estimated positions each have at least two dimensions. At least some of the receivers and the sources are located in the well. On a computer, the estimated positions are automatically refined based on a comparison of the predicted measurements and actual measurements that are obtained by the receivers.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: A system of scheduling a plurality of jobs in a production environment may include a plurality of resources and a computer-readable storage medium comprising programming instructions for performing a method of processing a plurality of jobs. The method may include receiving a plurality of jobs and setup characteristics corresponding to each job. The method may also include grouping each job having a job size that exceeds a job size threshold into a large job subgroup and grouping each job having a job size that does not exceed the job size threshold into a small job subgroup. The large job subgroup may be classified as a high setup subgroup or a low setup subgroup based on the setup characteristics corresponding to each job in the large job subgroup. The large job subgroup may be routed to a large job autonomous cell.

Abstract: A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: A system that facilitates continuous flow execution of orders is provided. The system includes a supply chain data store that stores supply chain data (e.g., inventory, supply, demand) and a data acceptor operable to receive the supply chain data from supply chain members, to conform the supply chain data to supply chain schema and to validate the supply chain data. The system also includes an inventory deployment analyzer that analyzes a user defined inventory network and accounts for the stored supply chain data to produce inventory transfer recommendations, transfer orders, alerts and/or a diversion order.

Abstract: A dynamic approval system, capable of integration with enterprise software systems, where approval requests are generated from within application programs and processed using one or more dynamic approval rules comprising discrete rule steps and step criteria. For each approval request, only those rule steps applicable to the requestor and type of request are processed. Individual rule steps may be reordered, added or skipped, as appropriate, during an approval process. Typical rule steps include at least one request for approval or review. The party receiving the request may be a specific individual, a person holding a specific position, or a person having a relative relationship, such as supervisor, with the requestor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for managing the locations of service equipment for a plant factory. The apparatus includes a sensor registration management unit, a sensor ID issuance unit, and a location registration management unit. The sensor registration management unit performs a registration procedure that registers with a sensor network a plurality of service devices and sensors that are installed in the plant factory. The sensor ID issuance unit issues sensor IDs to the plurality of service devices and sensors registered with the sensor network, respectively. The location registration management unit performs a location registration procedure that registers information about the locations of the plurality of service devices and sensors based on the issued sensor IDs.

Abstract: A planning infrastructure in an enterprise supports planning using characteristics of business entities and key figures collected from the activities of the business entities. The planning may incorporate predictions made on characteristics of the business entities that operate with the enterprise. The predicted characteristics may be stored in the enterprise's master data for those business entities, thus linking the planning results with the business entities.

Abstract: A system for maximizing the value of allocation of processes to resources within an operational system includes a capability engine responsive to data representing measures of effectiveness and associated measures of performance, one or more operational objectives, and failure modes of the operational system and configured to generate workload requirements and an operational event timeline. A coarse-grained allocation engine is responsive to the workload requirements and the operational event timeline and is configured to generate a coarse-grained resource lineup and an operational value. A fine-grained optimization engine is responsive to the coarse-grained resource lineup and the operational value and is configured to generate a fine-grained resource lineup, a maximized operational value, and a total resource utilization.

Abstract: A method and a system propagate a scaling mode in a production process controlled and executed by a manufacturing executing system (MES). The method includes the steps of providing a production request in terms of an initial quantity of a predetermined product to be produced, identifying the predetermined product by a predetermined production rule thereby dividing the production rule in a number of segment requirements that represent production actions, and defining within the segment requirements resources required to produce the required quantity. A rescaling attribute is defined and is aligned with each of the resources in a production request tree. An interface to the MES is used to update the quantity of the predetermined product to be produced and to recalculate in response to the update, the resources required to produce the updated quantity by applying a rescaling factor calculated from the initial quantity and the updated quantity.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing a weak dependency linking two tasks of a workflow of task. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method receives, from a user interface, an indication representing a link between a first task and a second task. The link being a weak dependency linking the first and second task. The weak dependency representing that one or more tasks may be inserted between the first and second tasks. The first and second tasks including the link representing the weak dependency may be provided to the user interface. The link presented at the user interface to enable identification of the weak dependency. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A system for functional domain based information technology selection and replacement is provided. Applications for each of multiple entities are associated with a set of functional domains. The set of functional domains are associated with a set of ecosystems. Data is complied for each ecosystem. Applications are adopted for one entity associated with an ecosystem, for each ecosystem, based on compiled data.

Abstract: A system for semantically modeling relationships and dependencies between groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities according to an industry specific manner. An exemplary system includes a user interface device, a relational database and a processor. The processor receives relationship information and receives attributes with associated measurements for the groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities for the corporation from the user interface device. The attributes with associated measurements are formatted according the specific industry of the corporation. The processor generates a three dimensional (3D) visualization of the groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities and allows a virtual walkthrough of the 3D visualization as presented on the display device based on user entered commands from the user input device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for providing automated decision in response to one or more responses. The method includes providing, at a computer system, a user interface for receiving input from a user. The method also includes detecting a first event. The method further includes receiving a first set of attributes associated with the first event. Also, the method includes processing the first set of attributes. The method additionally includes analyzing the first set of attributes using at least pattern recognition. The method includes determining a first context for the first event based at least on the first set of attributes.

Abstract: A system for monitoring incidents is provided. The system includes a problem management system, a first data store, a second data store, and a monitor. The first data store is accessible by the problem management system and can maintain information related to problems underlying incidents. The second data store is also accessible by the problem management system and can maintain information related to solutions for the problems underlying the incidents. The monitor can monitor the problem management system, the first data store, and the second data store for the number of times the first and second data stores are queried and for other information.

Abstract: Methods for identifying industries for potential transfer of a job function capability involve the use of a database that correlates, for a job function in a first industry, the first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which a job function capability of the job function is potentially transferable. The database can be accessed to identify the second set of industries. A symbolic representation of a job transfer between the first industry and a second industry or a symbolic representation that categorizes a subject of a user's job transferability query may be used to access the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating various network access control frameworks under the control of a single policy decision point (PDP). The apparatus supports pluggable protocol terminators to interface to any number of access protocols or backend support services. The apparatus contains Trust and Identity Mediators to mediate between the protocol terminators and a canonical policy subsystem, translating attributes between framework representations, and a canonical representation using extensible data-driven dictionaries.