Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a graphical interface and application for managing assets and products in and between shipper/receiver facilities such as a plant, a port, a warehouse, or a lot. Embodiments of the invention provide a shipper/receiver management software application configured to manage assets and products pro-actively by maximizing visibility of the shipper/receiver facility and by providing selectable options to a user to improve operations across the shipper/receiver facility and between shipper/receiver facilities.

Abstract: As provided, a method for capital expenditure/expense flip targeting and balancing in software pipeline management that includes providing, for each of multiple projects in a software project pipeline, a set of inputs that includes 1) resource demand, 2) budget constraint, 3) start date, and 4) a capital expenditure/expense flip date. The method also includes aggregating the inputs. The method further comprises calculating an overall capital expenditure/expense ratio, and comparing the ratio to a threshold as of a predetermined date.

Abstract: Techniques for temporarily holding project stages are provided. Resources and configuration information associated with a source stage of project's lifecycle are imaged in a self-contained project package. The package is published to an intermediate holding area. The package is pulled to and initiated within a target stage of the project's lifecycle when release and access criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: Management of a customer's IT environment is facilitated by correlating events that occur within the environment, obtaining information relating to those events, and performing actions, such as environment tuning or recovery actions, based on the information. Discrete phases of processing are used to obtain the information and/or perform the actions. One or more of these discrete processing phases have tunable time intervals associated therewith. That is, at least one time interval is dynamically adjusted based on the runtime state of the environment.

Abstract: A method for searching transition routes from an initial state of a plurality of stackable items to a target state by a computer at predetermined conditions includes connecting between transitionable states at an edge by a single handling operation transitioning from the initial state to the target state, to generate a state space graph; evaluating a lower bound of handling operation cost from a certain state to the target state, based on both the stacking sequence of the plurality of items in the certain state and the stacking sequence of the plurality of items in the target state; and searching a route from the initial state to the target state where the handling operation cost is minimal on the state space graph using a heuristic search algorithm based on the lower bound.

Abstract: A method for managing projects in a software factory is presented. A project management tool includes an end-to-end project plan for a project to create a software product by using a software factory in a global delivery network. A status block is appended to a work packet that is utilized when executing the project. After initiating the project, an alert is automatically triggered whenever the execution status of the work packet changes. The alert is transmitted to the project management tool to update a project schedule for the project, such that a completion status of the end-to-end project plan reflects a status of a project schedule for the project described by the end-to-end project plan.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for content distribution. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining reservation data for a resource, the reservation data specifying a reservation period and a number of impression reservations for the reservation period; receiving, during the reservation period, content item request data specifying that the resource was requested; identifying candidate content item providers; determining an expected revenue that will be obtained by selecting one of the candidate content item providers to provide a content item providing, to a content item exchange, auction data including a reserve price; receiving positive response data specifying that the content item exchange will provide an exchange content item for a price that meets the reserve price; and in response to receiving the positive response data, selecting the exchange content item as the content item to be provided in response to receiving the content item request data.

Abstract: An integrated scientific research environment includes a method and system of conducting a standardized, collaborative scientific research project. Researchers utilize the integrated scientific research environment to conduct experiments in which information is generated, analyzed, verified, and published in a distributed computing infrastructure that allows for multiple users to work together on experiments and scientific research projects. Multiple modules create a literature review and a research protocol, enable verification and analysis of experiment results, and prepare results for publication to add to existing knowledge in the field of the experiments conducted.

Abstract: Technician control, in which a control system is configured to control scheduling and dispatch operations for work orders being handled by technicians. Multiple technician devices are each associated with one or more technicians, are configured to communicate, over a network, with the control system, and also are configured to provide output in response to communications that are received from the control system and that are related to the scheduling and dispatch operations performed by the control system. A set of scheduling configuration options may be pre-defined and user input weighting at least one of the scheduling configuration options relative to other of the scheduling configuration options may be received. A scheduling application used by the control system to perform scheduling operations may be configured based on configuration data that reflects the weighting and scheduling operations may be performed using the configured scheduling application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for network-based workflow enabled project management that allows trade gateways to be established between a business entity and one or more trading partners. Embodiments of the invention facilitate, through the use of computer networks-based interfaces, the stages of assessment planning and assessing the readiness of partners, implementing the trade gateways, testing the gateways and migrating the gateways to production. Embodiments of the invention provide efficient on-boarding with a participant collaboration system, a consolidated view of readiness data of participants and activation schedules. A system embodying the invention also provides real-time reports with details of participant readiness assessment, integration plans, individual process implementation schedules for complete on-boarding status, and project management functionality comprising workflow alert capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for program management are presented. A user can perform analysis and evaluate levels of potential disruption or efficiency that exist in a program or a project thereof through one or more project metrics of a program. Understanding disruption and efficiency indices in a program can help evaluate the duration, location, reason, or severity of the disruption, and assist the program team to take appropriate measures to rectify or prevent the disruption. Disruption metrics in a program can be assessed based on computation of higher order time derivatives of one or more project metrics, such computation of at least a third order time derivative to reveal pattern or other characteristics of the disruption or efficiency or inefficiency in the program.

Abstract: Organizations, which may be charitable organizations, may plan, implement, and report to interested on the impact their projects. Users may create and modify components, which demonstrate a relationship between, for example, a donor donation, and an effect of that donation. Users can set up, modify and allowing reporting on, for example, activities sponsored by a charitable organization, inputs into that activity which may be sponsored by donors, and results of the activity. Results can be tracked over time producing a moving picture of the impact of the activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of task-based, decreasing-price markets enable dynamic discounting of items for sale. In one example, users shop for products (e.g., clothing, electronics, or cars) or services (e.g., hotel rooms, plane tickets, or car rentals) using a computing device or mobile device. As the users shop, they view advertisements or perform other tasks, like answering questions, and the system discounts an item's price based on the number or complexity of the performed tasks. Each user who performs a task gets a chance to buy the item at its discounted price. The other users also get a chance to buy the item at the discounted price. If someone buys the item, the item's price returns to its starting value. If nobody buys the item, the system discounts the item's price further as the users perform more tasks until someone buys the item or the item's price reaches a minimum value.

Abstract: A design workflow construction apparatus is provided for supporting design of an object having a plurality of design elements. In constructing the design workflow, the apparatus uses input variables, design variables, and intermediate variables. The design workflow construction apparatus includes means for acquiring object design elements and means for determining an order of designing the object design elements. The apparatus also includes means for determining the important design variables.

Abstract: A technique for performing commercial venture analysis involves establishing an empirically-derived structure and evaluating companies using analytical techniques within that structure. The technique may involve defining jobs, or goals a customer is attempting to reach, with dozens or even hundreds of outcomes. Ideally, the structure and tools facilitate analysis that would not be possible otherwise. Moreover, the nature of the system enables real-time input for changing conditions and the ability to calculate returns for new markets in which products or services do not exist.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment relates to a method for optimizing end-to-end response times distribution across a plurality of components in a performance engineering process. The method preferably comprises determining first, second, and third end-to-end response times for a plurality of components in the process, and determining an optimal end-to-end response time for the components in the process, wherein the optimal end-to-end response time distribution is based on an average of the first end-to-end response time, the second end-to-end response time, and the third end-to-end response time for each component. The disclosed embodiment also relates to a system and computer-readable code that can be used to implement the exemplary methods.

Abstract: A method of raising funds for a project, the method comprising the steps of providing a webpage for the project and determining a target fund amount for the project, the project being selected from a group comprising a non-profit related project, a business related project, a cause-related project, a real-estate related project and an art related project, providing a plurality of advertising buy options having respective media outlets available for purchase by an advertiser accessing said project webpage, upon an advertiser purchasing a selected one or more media buy, causing the advertisers advertising material to be placed on the media properties associated with the purchased media buys, and collecting the revenue from the completed advertising buy and applying the selected revenue produced by the completed advertising buy to the target fund.

Abstract: The invention provides a plan execution control apparatus, a plan execution control method and a plan execution control program capable of giving instructions for sensitively and efficiently maintaining even installations located in a wide range.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of team members may define a task by providing data concerning a task to a centralized controller, wherein each task may be assigned any other team member of the plurality of team members. The controller may receive task event information from a first team member of the plurality of team members regarding a task, which task is associated within the controller with the first team member and a second team member. The controller subsequently sends updated task information, based on the task event information, to both the first team member and the second team member. Relevant to any given task, the task event information may comprise a task delegation indication, which may further comprise a non-delegation indication such that further delegation of the task in not permitted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmental load assessment system, which is capable of efficiently and simply assessing an environmental load of a building in all stages (e.g., a planning stage, a design stage, a construction stage, and a use stage after construction) in doing executing a business by subdividing an assessment process, such as simple assessment in the design stage, detailed assessment in the start stage, and site assessment in the construction stage according to the progress of a construction project.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for service management, wherein resources that have performed tasks in at least two of a first category, a second category, and at least one additional category are identified. A plurality of correlation sums are determined where the correlation sum includes at least two categories, wherein the correlation sums are added together to produce a correlation value. A correlation product for each correlation sum is calculated based on the respective correlation sum and the number of resources that have performed tasks with respect to the correlation sum. A quotient is calculated for each correlation sum based on the respective correlation product and the correlation value. The categories are grouped into clusters with a clustering module based on the quotients; and, resources are associated with the clusters based on task performance history of the resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an update of asset information from disparate sources to an asset record that may be accessed by a computer-based application. Embodiments of the invention provide a controller operable to facilitate the timely updating of asset information for an asset to a comprehensive asset record corresponding to the asset as one or more pieces of the asset information, distributed across a plurality of data sources, changes in real time.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product facilitates an online wedding planning system that automatically matches, in real-time, an event planner with event vendors. Exemplary steps include: receiving a first group of operating parameters for the event vendors; receiving a second group of operating parameters for the event planner; assigning a pro-rata percentage of the total budget to each of the event vendors; creating a qualified list of the event vendors wherein a sum of each the pro-rata percentage of the total budget is equal to or less than an associated maximum pro-rata percentage of the total budget of the event; and simultaneously displaying, in real-time, on a single graphical user interface of a web browser, the qualified list of the event vendors whose combined individual pro-rata percentage of the total budget is cumulatively equal to or less than the total budget of the event.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for determining optimal product assortments and optimal planograms using a hybrid binary multi-dimensional knapsack representation. An optimal product assortment and an optimal planogram can be determined by receiving one or more objectives, receiving one or more constraints, receiving dimensions and hierarchies, transforming the dimensions and hierarchies into structural graphs of s-cells, generating a dynamic model using, at least in part, the one or more objectives, performing an optimization run using the dynamic model, and outputting results of the optimization run. An optimal product assortment and an optimal planogram can also be determined by receiving product attributes for a set of products, receiving avatar information, receiving one or more objectives and constraints, generating a dynamic model using, performing an optimization run using the dynamic model, and outputting results of the optimization run.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of facilities in a complex. Each facility is associated with a construction project. The method also includes determining a potential revenue associated with at least one of the facilities. The method further includes determining a cost associated with at least one of the facilities. In addition, the method includes generating a schedule of the construction projects using the identified potential revenue and the identified cost.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for generating a project workflow in an online social network. An indication of an event is received to initiate a project workflow. The project workflow may be defined by a series of stages and one or more entities associated with any of the stages. As such, one or more relevant entities associated with the project workflow are identified and one or more stages for completing the project workflow are determined. A workflow object stored or configured to be stored in one or more feed tables in a database system is generated, where the workflow object includes a plurality of data fields. A feed item associated with the workflow object is provided in an information feed of at least one of the one or more relevant entities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing outcomes in view of various business scenarios are based on a unique quantification of work and estimate of task duration, which may be used to develop a measure of the work required to complete a task. This measure may be compared to forecasted work and used to allocate resources accordingly. Additionally, optimal outcomes may be identified subject to any classification, such as by class of worker, type of task, location of task, and/or size of work unit.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a customer transaction document template and a customer transaction document view of project business object.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for implementing a method to manage a usage cost of an asset. In the method, a user component of a business entity may access the asset after the asset has been developed by a development component, wherein the user component receives compensation from a compensator in response to the user component having incurred a usage burden from using the asset, and wherein the compensator may have contributed to the usage burden. Alternatively, a user component of a second business entity may access an asset after the asset is developed by a development component of a first business entity, wherein second business entity receives compensation from the first business entity in response to the user component having incurred a usage burden from using the asset. The compensation has a magnitude that is a function of the usage burden. The asset may be a software application.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards budgeting and forecasting of information technology and services. In at least one of the various embodiments, financial allocation models may include multiple cost objects and one or more allocation rules. In at least one of the various embodiments, allocation rules may determine how costs associated with cost objects may be allocated to other cost objects. In at least one of the various embodiments, costs corresponding to one or more selected cost objects may be traced within a financial allocation model. Also, costs associated with multiple cost line items from different cost objects may simultaneously traced for efficient cross-referencing of disparate cost line items. Further, in at least one of the various embodiments, a display of the cost traces may be rendered and displayed to provide a visualization of the traced costs.

Abstract: Project progress management technology is made more objective by excluding as much human subjectivity as possible. Consideration is given to levels of importance of check items and tasks. A more accurate grasp of the progress of a project is enabled even if a significant change occurs in the middle of the project. An indication of a “complete” or “incomplete” state is used as a progress indicator of the lowest order tasks of the project, and progress of a high order task is based on the progress of the lowest order tasks.

Abstract: Systems and methods systems and methods for allocating inventory in a fulfillment network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include identifying orders fulfilled by a fulfillment center, where each of the identified orders specifies one or more of a plurality of items. The method may also include determining, for each identified order, a probability that the identified order will occur in the future and calculating, for each identified order, a cost savings. Items may then be selected based, at least in part, upon the determined probability and cost savings of each identified order. Additionally or alternatively, a method may include, for a selected item, receiving a customer demand forecast, determining a bind factor, and calculating a target inventory for the selected item to be stored in the fulfillment center based, at least in part, upon the customer demand forecast and the bind factor.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer-readable medium for processing of data are disclosed. At least one customer requirement concerning at least one business process and at least one customer requirement concerning at least one non-business process related activity are determined. A mapping of determined customer requirements to at least one available service is generated. Mapped customer requirements and available services are mapped into a project. A pricing for the project is generated.

Abstract: Provided herein are a methods and a system for implementing a participatory mechanism for selecting of applications, overseeing implementation and progress of projects, monitoring and evaluation of completed projects. The method provides a mechanism for managing projects which involve flexible and hard to quantify outcomes. The method provides a mechanism for managing long-term projects of variable length that require long-term monitoring. The method provides a mechanism for managing projects where human input is essential. The method provides a mechanism to handle a large number of applications for a large number of projects. The method provides a rational method for managing a large number of projects with a large diversity (e.g., hard to replicate projects.

Abstract: An electronic construction collaboration system for managing a construction project is provided. The electronic construction collaboration system includes an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) sub-system including a contract engine configured to generate at least one project contract including a contract data set and ERP metadata corresponding to Building Information Modeling (BIM) metadata included in a structural object of a construction project model in a BIM sub-system and an interconnection engine configured to associatively link the ERP metadata and the BIM metadata and send the contract data set to the BIM sub-system in response to associatively linking the ERP metadata and the BIM metadata.

Abstract: A system allowing a user to answer a series of questions to generate survey data, associating system data with the survey data to generate a highly accurate report. The user may, customize the survey by selecting categories corresponding to certain series of questions and be presented with a running total of costs associated with each selected action, a total cost for all selected actions, and an impact on the property FCI corresponding to the selected action. The report allows, for example, for targeted assessment of select facilities systems including a time frame within which work to be performed on select facilities systems and/or a cost associated with work to be performed.

Abstract: A method of forecasting work hours per unit of time is provided. The method comprises estimating a project hour budget, determining a percentage of the project hour budget to be expended in each of a plurality of project phases based on average percentages of project hour budgets expended in each project phase in completed projects, and distributing the project hour budget across a plurality of units of time based on the percentage of the project hour budget to be expended in each project phase, on the project hour budget, and on a schedule of project milestones.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for determining critical information interfaces between fields of activity of an electronically documented process, the method including: (a) providing a binary dependency matrix between the fields of activity of the process; (b) rating the information interfaces between the fields of activity of the process that are specified in the binary dependency matrix based on predefined criteria that are read out from a criteria database in terms of their respective expression in relation to the read-out criteria in order to generate a numeric dependency matrix; and (c) evaluating the generated numeric dependency matrix in order to determine information interfaces of the process that are critical in respect of at least one target function.

Abstract: Under the present invention when a business process is desired to be outsourced from a client (e.g., a company or governmental unit) to a third party outsourcer, an outsourcing project is initially planned. Typically, the plan includes a plurality of overlapping phases that extend over several time periods. Thereafter, a cost for implementing the outsourcing project is estimated. Should the cost exceed a planned budget of the client, the excess/investment is addressed while an agreement between the client and the outsourcer for the outsourcing project is being reached. This can involve reducing scope, restructuring the overlapping phases to reduce or eliminate the excess cost, and/or integrating funding options to address the cost as part of the agreement.

Abstract: As provided, a method of integration of hardware, software and vendor labor in software development pipeline management that comprises providing, for each of multiple projects in a software project pipeline, a set of inputs that includes 1) timing, 2) demand inputs, 3) supply inputs. The method further comprises aggregating the inputs. The method further comprises identifying one or more constraints in the software development pipeline when the demand inputs and the supply inputs are not in balance with the input timing.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of utility asset data including: receiving by a computer a selected project area; searching a database including location data and responsible utility companies for a plurality of utility assets to identify utility assets in the selected project area; determining an associated utility company for each of the identified utility assets in the selected project area; and transmitting a notification to the determined utility companies.

Abstract: A project management server automatically monitors the progress of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project represented by developing business configuration content for the ERP system. The project management server maintains a set of data representing a previous status of the development of business configuration content for the ERP system. The project management server requests a new set of data from the ERP system. The new set of data represents the current status of the development of business configuration content for the ERP system. The project management server automatically compares the two sets of data to determine the progress of the ERP project, generates a report showing the progress and updates the old set of data with the new set of data.

Abstract: A system distributes instructions from a central server to repossession agents through a smart-phone application that is in networked communication with the central server, and the repossession agents report information back to the central server through the smart-phone application. The smart-phone application can also be used by freelancers to provide suspect vehicle information to the central server. The central server does not provide the freelancers with vehicle information of vehicles to be repossessed but compares the suspect vehicle information with repossession information in the central server's database and when a match results in a vehicle being repossessed, the freelancer that provided the suspect vehicle information is provided a reward for having provided the information.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a task responsibility system may be implemented as an application to support people, machines, or both functioning in a manufacturing or production environment, warehouse environment, or other work environment. The focus is on a plant-local solution. In such circumstances, the task responsibility system may identify and direct one or more tasks to a computer-implemented folder independent of the worker(s), machine(s), or a combination thereof assigned to the folder. Thus, the system (or a user of the system) is permitted to dynamically assign a worker or machine to the computer-implemented folder subsequent to the tasks being directed thereto, in which case the worker or machine may be responsible for the tasks that are directed to the folder.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a resource estimation tool may be provided for a project, such as a complex financial services project, to be performed in a series of project phases. Initially, a set of pre-determined tasks for the project may be automatically determined, each task being associated with one or more of the project phases. Moreover, a default estimated resource allocation value may be assigned to each task in connection with each project phase. According to some embodiments, a project size input may be received, and a spreadsheet application formula may automatically adjust the default estimated resource allocation values associated with all tasks based on the project size input. An overall project resource allocation estimate may then be output based on the adjusted default estimated resource allocation values for all tasks across all project phases.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media with executable instructions stored thereon for resource planning using FTEs are provided. Example methods of the present disclosure can include identifying full time equivalent (FTE) requirements of jobs, skills corresponding to the jobs, resources corresponding to the skills, and FTE capacity of resources [572]. Qualified resources are determined, by a computer, with respect to each job based on the corresponding skills of the resources relative to the skills corresponding to the jobs [574]. FTE capacity of qualified resources is allocated, by a computer, to jobs in a manner that maximizes FTE requirements of jobs having resources allocated thereto, such that a qualified resource is allocated to a job at most to the lesser of the FTE requirement of the job or the FTE capacity of the resource [576].

Abstract: A system, method, program product and service for processing a multiple service level bid in a resource management framework. A buyer's agent is provided to receive a multiple service level request from a business unit and query a resource unit broker for available resource types that can be utilized to provide at least some of the service level requirements of the multiple service level request. A mapping system is provided to map the available resource types to a list of resource sets (i.e., bidding options) and a prioritization system is provided to order the list. Once the list is ordered, a bidding system is provided to submit a bid for the highest priority resource set.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for selecting one of a plurality of information technology (IT)-led innovation projects include obtaining a plurality of IT-led innovation projects. A selection of one or more research projects for each of the obtained IT-led innovation projects is determined based at least on one or more research project criteria. One of the obtained IT-led innovation projects is selected based at least on the determined selection of one or more research projects for each of the obtained IT-led innovation projects and one or more innovation project criteria. The selection of the one of the obtained IT-led innovation projects is provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for project pipeline risk management. A distribution tool generates project resource distributions for associated organizations, wherein each of the project resource distributions comprises allocations of project resources to project phases and corresponds to one of multiple projects. The risk tool identifies risks, wherein each of the identified risks corresponds to one of the projects. The risk tool determines an initial risk exposure for each project based on an initial probability for each identified risk and an initial impact severity for each identified risk. The risk tool determines an updated risk exposure for each project based on an updated probability for each identified risk and an updated impact severity for each identified risk. The distribution tool generates updated project resource distributions based on the completed project information and a difference between the initial risk exposure and the updated risk exposure for each project.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including software tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, involve a future deadline for completion of a project milestone. An estimate of an amount of time slippage associated with the future deadline is received. A probability of missing the future deadline is calculated based on the estimated amount of time slippage and an amount of time remaining until the future deadline.