Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for checking the availability of the components of a production and/or packaging line, wherein each component is connected to a computer means by a data transfer means.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed towards including heritage information when allocating costs for a plurality of cost objects. A target object, a source object and heritage objects may be determined from a data model. At least one line item in the source object may be generated by allocating costs from the heritage objects with the generated source object line items corresponding to a line item from a heritage object. At least one line item in the target object may be generated based on allocating costs from the source object. And, at least one generated target object line item may be based on at least one source object line item and its corresponding heritage object line item. A final cost value for the target object may be generated based on a sum of each target object line item and displayed in the data model.

Abstract: One or more regions in a first element that is fixed correspond to indications of a likelihood of satisfying customer demand while optimizing capacity utilization. Customer requirements are stored in a second element that is movable, wherein the one or more regions in the first element are interpreted to determine the likelihood of satisfying customer demand while optimizing capacity utilization, based on the stored customer requirements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for client-selectable power source options for network-accessible service units are described. A programmatic interface is implemented to enable clients of a service to select, from among a plurality of power source categories including a renewable category and a non-renewable category, a power source category to be used for a service unit. Based on inputs received via the interface, the respective amounts of power to be obtained from renewable and non-renewable categories during a time period may be estimated. A verification operation comparing the estimated amounts to the amount of power that is actually obtained from the different sources may be performed.

Abstract: An integrated supply chain management with anomaly detection. An order schedule has one or more orders, each of which has a production requirement and a due date. An asset schedule has asset commitments associating assets with orders. Each asset has equipment specifications, including an asset class and one or more operational thresholds. The computer system identifies an asset of a class corresponding to a production requirement of an order and modifies the asset schedule to commit the asset to the order prior to the due date of the order. The computer system receives sensor input for the asset and determines whether an anomaly exists. If so, the computer system commits a second asset to the order.

Abstract: A system may include a record generator to receive a plurality of documents associated with a plurality of suppliers and provide supplier-specific data records based thereon. The record generator may include an event classifier configured to execute a supplier-independent, event-based classification of each document, to thereby obtain event-classified documents. The record generator may include a supplier query generator configured to query the plurality of documents to obtain potential supplier matches from the plurality of suppliers, and a supplier match analyzer configured to analyze each potential supplier match of the potential supplier matches, to thereby obtain supplier matches. The record generator may include a supplier relevance analyzer configured to relate, for each event-classified document, any supplier identified therein to at least one event of the event-classified document, to thereby obtain supplier-event relationships.

Abstract: A method of managing media replenishment for a media terminal is described. The method comprises: calculating an amount of media required for the media terminal; receiving from the media terminal an indication of media items deposited at that media terminal that have a condition fulfilling a condition criterion; and adjusting the calculated amount of media required based on the indication of media items that fulfill the condition criterion.

Abstract: A method for balancing supply and demand for a product using demand-shaping action includes identifying an imbalance between supply and demand for a given product. A customer choice model is generated based on collected historical sales data pertaining to the given product and at least one product similar to the given product. The customer choice model is configured to estimate, for a given customer or group of customers, a likelihood of effecting a substitution between each product pair of the given product and the at least one product similar to the given product, for each of one or more available demand shaping actions. One or more of the available demand shaping actions are automatically selected to minimize an estimate of revenue shortfall or inventory holding costs resulting from the identified imbalance between supply and demand.

Abstract: A self-managed inventory, supply chain dynamic SKU performance and optimization system may be provided. Service trigger generation may monitor the inventory status and direct when service should occur at a dealer location based on market demand. Demand based service may generate a service trigger when the dealer's inventory level reaches a service threshold. Enhanced SKU depth optimization may be employed to provide SKU depth recommendations based upon how product is moving in the market place to ensure that demand based service is reaching a service trigger at a desired service interval. Enhanced SKU depth optimization may be combined with at least one service trigger including a demand trigger to create demand based service, a route trigger to create enhanced route service, and an order trigger to create enhanced order service.

Abstract: A method for balancing supply and demand for a product using demand-shaping action includes identifying an imbalance between supply and demand for a given product. A customer choice model is generated based on collected historical sales data pertaining to the given product and at least one product similar to the given product. The customer choice model is configured to estimate, for a given customer or group of customers, a likelihood of effecting a substitution between each product pair of the given product and the at least one product similar to the given product, for each of one or more available demand shaping actions. One or more of the available demand shaping actions are automatically selected to minimize an estimate of revenue shortfall or inventory holding costs resulting from the identified imbalance between supply and demand.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for selecting one or more services and locations for performing a user-requested operation on a file. A user interface can be used to search for files by name, date, content, location, and/or other parameters. The search results can be derived from information stored in a local cache and presented as a list from which the user can select files and perform operations on the selection. The cache can include historical information about each service and location, including a previously observed monetary cost to perform the operation and/or a previously observed amount of time used to perform the operation. A weighted value associated with any given service can be computed based on the historical information in the local cache, the age of the historical information and a cost criterion. The list of services can be ordered by the weighted value.

Abstract: A method for managing a company's inventory of component parts used in a manufacturing process includes receiving a request for a recommended inventory level for a component part, accessing data corresponding to the component part, calculating a first recommended inventory level for the component part based on the data, providing, to a user, the first recommended inventory level for the component part and a predefined subset of the data comprising a usage pattern of the component part for a defined preceding period of time, receiving, from the user, a second recommended inventory level for the component part, and adjusting a current inventory level of the component part based on the second recommended inventory level.

Abstract: A distribution cost is reduced by a gas delivery system that delivers gas cylinders. The delivery system is configured to receives operation data including the number of delivered gas cylinders from the mobile terminals of a deliverymen; collect first delivery data and the operation data for all deliverymen, wherein the first delivery data includes the number of gas cylinders to be delivered by each deliveryman on a current day; calculate the number of cylinders in stock in a depository; collect second delivery data including the number of gas cylinders to be delivered by the deliveryman on a next day for the all deliverymen; subtract the number of gas cylinders in stock from the number of gas cylinders to be delivered on the next day; and generate depository delivery data that includes the number of gas cylinders to be transported to the depository by the next day.

Abstract: A farm work management system includes a communication apparatus for transmitting location information of a worker carrying out a farm work and a farm work management apparatus for managing a progress of the farm work based on the location information transmitted from the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus includes a notifying unit for notifying the farm work management apparatus to the effect that the farm work is started or the farm work is finished in a case where an operation unit receives the predetermined operation. The farm work management apparatus includes a work location identifying unit for identifying the work location based on the location information transmitted from the communication apparatus, a calculating unit for calculating an estimated work time from read information, and a transmitting unit for transmitting to the communication apparatus the information about the read work content and the estimated work time having been calculated.

Abstract: A solution for validating a set of data protection solutions is provided. A validation scenario can be defined, which can include data corresponding to a set of attributes for the validation scenario. The attributes can include a time frame for the validation scenario. The validation scenario also can include a set of backup images to be validated, each of which is generated using one of the set of data protection solutions. The set of backup images can be identified using the time frame. A set of resource requirements for implementing the validation scenario can be determined based on the set of backup images and the set of attributes for the validation scenario.

Abstract: A method and system for managing suppliers and flow of goods over an e-commerce platform are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving a supply flow change rule, the supply flow change rule includes a condition for change and a supply mode change; and monitoring feedback messages from a supplier regarding transactions associated with a first product. The method may further include determining whether the supplier meets the condition for change with regard to the transaction associated with the first product based on the feedback messages; and changing supply mode for the first product if the supplier meets the condition for change based on the supply mode change. The method and system consistent with the present disclosure may improve the quality of e-commerce services to the users and optimize the performance of the suppliers.

Abstract: A method comprises evaluating a first work plan comprising one or more constituents to determine a first set of work plan metrics, determining one or more constraints for constituents of the first work plan, selecting one or more substitute constituents to replace constituents of the first work plan based at least in part on the determined constraints and the determined work plan metrics and generating a second work plan using the substitute constituents, the second work plan having a second set of work plan metrics similar to the first set of work plan metrics. The evaluating, determining, selecting and generating are performed by at least one processing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel systems and methods for manufacturing estimation, production assembly and inventory management. In an embodiment, a system is provided to create and respond to RFPs, perform capacity planning for an eventual production line, efficiently implement the production line in software, and track detailed warehouse data, including transaction data. Such tracking may allow process improvement, report generation, and market research analysis. In an embodiment, one or more systems may be used to implement one or more aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically optimizing workload of a cloud computing system. The cloud computing system is configured into an operative status by defining a virtual machine (VM) topology representing a respective virtual machine assignment for each physical server of the cloud computing system. An objects database (ODB) stores: business policies, a respective software cost per software application in one or more software license pools, and a power cost of the cloud computing system. It is determined that the cloud computing system does not perform optimally with respect to a total cost of the cloud computing system, which is a sum of the respective software cost and the power cost. The workload of the cloud computing system is distributed pursuant to a new VM topology that has a minimum total cost of the cloud computing system pursuant to the business policies stored in the ODB.

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. Aspects can be directed toward fleet and individual asset optimization according to various constraints and values, including orders, availability, revenues, costs, and others.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supply chain design and analysis to optimize costs associated with a supply chain are described. According to an embodiment, the supply chain management system comprises a data extraction module, an analysis module, and a presentation module coupled to a processor. The data extraction module obtains supply chain data from one or more data sources. The analysis module analyzes a plurality of parameters and at least one future state map to ascertain at least one business scenario. Further, the analysis module identifies flow constraints in the at least one business scenario based on a flow analysis. Further, the analysis module selects decision parameters from amongst the plurality of parameters based on the flow constraints and a simulation feedback. Further, the analysis module simulates at least one experimental design based on the decision parameters. Furthermore, the presentation module generates, a plurality of maps based on visual analytics.

Abstract: A license manager running on a central-management server receives a license request for licensing a managed node as a client of a central-management product running on a central-management server. The license manager proposes a solution involving applying respective licenses for plural distinct central-management products. In response to a unified command, implementing said solution.

Abstract: An information output apparatus includes a replacement information storage part storing first information and second information for each of replacements of a plurality of devices. The first information and the second information are associated with each other. The first information indicates a use condition of each of the devices before replacement. The second information indicates each of the devices after replacement. A use condition storage part stores third information indicating a use condition of each device. A selection part selects one of the replacements for which information is stored in the replacement information storage part based on the third information stored in the use condition storage part with respect to the one of the devices for which replacement is requested. The output part outputs the second information that indicates one of the devices after replacement and is stored in the replacement information storage part with respect to the selected replacement.

Abstract: A method includes: a computer receiving historical data from at least one service vehicle; the computer receiving network definitions for the least one service vehicle; the computer receiving dynamic data from the at least one service vehicle; and the computer developing predictions and corrective actions to prevent service bunching, based upon the historical data, the network definitions, and the dynamic data.

Abstract: A system includes an allocation table configured for use in a push-driven retail allocation business. The configuration for the push-driven retail allocation business includes a centrally organized headquarter office and a plurality of distribution points. The merchandise is procured by the centrally organized headquarter office and distributed under guidance of the centrally organized headquarter office to the plurality of distribution points. The system also includes an allocation engine processor logically coupled to the allocation table, and an in-memory database logically coupled to the allocation engine processor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a goods yard structure control method and device capable of improving shelving efficiency of goods arrived and utilization of manual labor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for optimizing compensation allocations, and in particular, spiff allocations. With a limited budget, embodiments calculate optimized allocations or distributions of the budget to maximize employee productivity by analyzing input parameters associated with a productivity period, creating performance models for each employee or group of employees based on the analysis, and generating a budget allocation model so as to increase the sum output of the employee productivity. Approaches are data driven and modifiable to account for new data.

Abstract: In a conventional manufacturing line simulation, there are a number of input items, and therefore, time is required for input. In addition, depending on the objective of the simulation, there are also parameters for which input is not required, and therefore, there is the problem of reducing the number of inputs according to the library.

Abstract: The description refers to a method, computer program product, and computer system for displaying a chart for production planning. The chart includes a timeline, a material area associated with each of one or more materials and a resource area associated with each of one or more resources. The chart also includes a material sufficiency indicator provided within one or more of the material areas to indicate whether or not a sufficient amount of the associated material is available at one or more identified times to meet a demand of the one or more scheduled operations. The chart includes a scheduling hint that is displayed within a material area when an operation identifier has been selected. The scheduling hint identifies one or more portions within the material area for a material as providing either sufficient material or insufficient material for performance of the operation associated with the selected operation identifier.

Abstract: A demand management system incorporating a demand response interface connectable to a utility/ISO, a demand dispatch subsystem connected to the demand response interface and connected to a facility that is an energy customer of the utility/ISO, and a demand level optimization subsystem connected to the demand dispatch subsystem. The demand dispatch subsystem may monitor the energy demand of the facility. The demand dispatch subsystem and the demand level optimization subsystem may predict how many demand limiting events are needed over a billing period of the energy customer and a cost of issuing the demand limiting events to set an energy demand limit to optimize a balance between a number of events and the costs of issuing the events needed to maintain the energy demand limit versus a benefit of keeping the energy demand of the facility within the energy demand limit.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of supply chain management, and more specifically, to methods and systems for improving product flow between parties such as manufacturers, distributors, and end users. In one embodiment, the present invention identifies, captures, and integrates future project business needs into the manufacturer's procurement/production processes. This may allow the manufacturer to meet supply chain needs regardless of the demand history or sales velocity of a product.

Abstract: This invention relates to the introduction of new products into a chain of stores in a manner that minimizes out of stock at store as well as cannibalization of sales by a previous product that the new product replaces. The new product could be a new model in the case of consumer electronics products like TVs, cameras and phones or a new packaging in the case of consumer packaged goods like food and beverage products. Typical store chains initiate or stop product purchases across the chain of stores when replacing an older product with a new product. Utilizing an approach of grouping stores by sales velocity and utilizing different cutoff dates for replenishing old products ahead of new product launch across the chain of stores, a retail chain can minimize lost sales at faster turning stores and minimize cannibalization of sales at slower turning stores.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed towards allocating costs for a plurality of cost objects. In at least one of the various embodiments, a source object and a target object in a data model may be determined such that an allocation rule is used to define one or more cost allocations where the costs flows from the source object to the target object. Allocation rules that are part of a recursive allocation rule may be executed on the source object and the target object until a terminal condition is met. The cost value that corresponds to the source object may be modified based on the allocation rule and the generated cost value. This process may continue until a terminal condition is met. After the terminal condition has been met final costs value corresponding to the target object and the source object may be generated and displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system comprising a content repository, a communication portal developer, a content manager, and an analytic engine. The content repository is adapted to store electronic content in a computer-readable storage medium. The communication portal developer includes at least one wizard to create a plurality of customizable portals without coding software. Each customizable portal is accessible to one or more selected visitors through a web browser. The content manager is adapted to publish selectable electronic content to selectable portals. The content manager includes at least one wizard to populate and manage the electronic content within the content repository. The analytic engine analyzes electronic content use and visitor behavior while logged into their customizable portal. In various embodiments, the analytics are provided in real time or near real time. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An article processing apparatus, having a movable member for article processing, includes an information processor configured to set a plurality of clusters each of which includes, as a plurality of nodes, a plurality of candidates of a transition order of states of the movable member with respect to each of a plurality of target regions of an article, set a plurality of costs respectively to a plurality of combinations of two nodes which respectively belong to two mutually different clusters of the plurality of clusters, and generate a transition order of states of the movable member over the plurality of target regions by obtaining, as a solution of a traveling salesman problem, an order of traveling through a plurality of nodes each selected from each of the plurality of clusters, based on the plurality of clusters and the plurality of costs.

Abstract: This invention relates to the assortment of new products into a chain of stores in a manner that maximizes profit for a store-product combination utilizing average weekly gross margin return on inventory investment (GMROII). Typical product assortment logic relies on store groupings to determine which stores should carry which products. The assortment decision is also taken by grouping products together by product characteristics like brand, size, color etc. Utilizing average weekly gross margin return on inventory investment as a criterion for assorting products implies making the product assortment decision at the store—product level instead of at a group of stores—product characteristic level. Also, by utilizing the profit contributed by a product—store combination as one of the primary criteria in assortment, it is possible to improve margins for the store chain.

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: Methods and apparatus for information technology (IT) resource planning are disclosed. The method including storing in a memory device, a forecast of IT resource requirements, wherein the forecast includes a plurality of data entries associated with projected IT resource requests. The method further including receiving, by a receiver, a request for at least one additional IT resource and determining, by a processor, whether the requested at least on additional IT resource is associated one of the plurality of data entries. If the requested at least one additional IT resource is associated with one of the plurality of data entries, transmitting, by a transmitter, a request to order the at least one additional IT resource and notifying at least one predetermined user of the order. If the requested at least one additional IT resource is not associated with one of the plurality of data entries, sending a notification to at least one predetermined user requesting approval of the request.

Abstract: A system for life cycle operation of a supply chain business transaction includes a system configured to record and store information regarding participants and products in a supply chain business transaction; a system configured to record and track products produced and consumed in a supply chain business transaction; a system configured to monitor contract performance and quality of products in a supply chain business transaction; a system configured to determine the amount of loan credit to be issued to the suppliers in a supply chain business transaction, and a system configured to determine the amount of insurance coverage to be issued to suppliers in a supply chain business transaction.

Abstract: The technique relates to a system and method for handling uncertainty in supplier selection using robust optimization. The technique involves receiving the historical data of one or more suppliers with respect to a plurality of factors from a database for selecting at least one of the one or more suppliers. After receiving the historical data, a convex hull is generated for each of the suppliers to determine a relationship between the pluralities of factors. Then adding equations which are more related to uncertainty values associated with at least one of the plurality of factors in the convex hull for each of the one or more suppliers. Thereafter, using robust optimization to determine an optimal performance level of each of the one or more suppliers with respect to the plurality of factors based on the fetched uncertainty value. Finally, selecting the suppliers based on the optimal performance level.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for developing a criticality profile of an industrial asset. The criticality profile describes the importance of the industrial asset to a system in terms of one or more criticality metrics and/or one or more confidence profiles. Such metrics may include an operational metric indicative of the operation impact of the industrial asset on a system if the industrial asset remains unchanged or enters a degraded or improved state, a restoration metric indicative of a complexity of restoring the industrial asset to an operational state from the unchanged or degraded state and/or complexity of improving the industrial asset to an improved state, and/or an interdependency metric indicative of a relationship between the industrial asset and one or more other industrial assets and/or between the industrial asset and one or more structures in an environment associated with the industrial asset.

Abstract: A workspace display includes a plurality of different groups, task, set of tasks or each group including a plurality of different components. Each group corresponds to a topic of information related to a user's role. The particular components included in each group are user interface display elements that are each related to an item of content within the corresponding group. The individual components are also selected and placed on the workspace display based on a user's role and activities or tasks performed by a user in that role.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for developing an asset by competition includes specifying standards for an asset, receiving from potential contestants indicia of interest in participating in an asset development competition in which the contestants compete to develop an asset, and determining an estimated likelihood that the asset development competition will result in an asset that meets the minimum standards based on historical information about the performance of the contestants from whom the indicia of interest were received. Steps may be taken to increase the estimated likelihood of success, upon a determination that the likelihood is less than desired. Steps may be taken to prevent registration by additional participants, upon a determination that the estimated likelihood is at or above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for arranging work stations arranges a number of work stations of different types in a predetermined area, and calculates a number of each type of work station to ensure that a total production efficiency of each type of work station can reach a predetermined production efficiency.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for attempting to optimize a supply chain network (SCN) includes forecasting demand in the SCN based on a set of demand data. One or more time-dependent reorder points (ROPs) deemed to optimize the SCN are generated by a computer processor, based on the demand forecast, where each time-dependent ROP represents an ROP that changes over time. A simulation of operations of the SCN is performed, using the time-dependent ROPs.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for attempting to optimize a supply chain network (SCN) includes forecasting demand in the SCN based on a set of demand data. One or more time-dependent reorder points (ROPs) deemed to optimize the SCN are generated by a computer processor, based on the demand forecast, where each time-dependent ROP represents an ROP that changes over time. A simulation of operations of the SCN is performed, using the time-dependent ROPs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for selecting requests from a plurality of tenant queues in a multi-tenant system including actions of determining a plurality of weights, each weight being associated with a respective tenant in a set of tenants, each weight being dynamically adjusted based on a quota associated with the respective tenant for each iteration of a plurality of iterations within a period, selecting a tenant from the set of tenants based on the plurality of weights to provide a selected tenant, and transmitting a request from a request queue associated with the selected tenant for processing by a shared resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing wealth are provided herein. Exemplary methods for analyzing financial well being of a client may include generating a financial profile for an client via a web server, selecting one or more grids for displaying at least a portion of the financial profile, the grid including one or more sectors, each of the sectors corresponding to one of the plurality of strengths, filling a sector with an indicator, filling a sector with an indicator, the indicator including a calculation of a strength level for the strength associated with the sector; and providing at least one of the one or more grids to a display device associated with a computing system that is communicatively coupled to the web server.

Abstract: A method for managing a logistics network is disclosed. The method may include receiving, by a processor, historical demand data representing historical demand for an item at each one of a plurality of facilities associated with the logistics network, the plurality of facilities including at least one manufacturing facility and at least one distributing facility; forecasting future demand data representing a forecasted future demand for the item at each one of the plurality of facilities based on the respective historical demand data and one or more respective business goals for each facility; adjusting the future demand data at each one of the facilities by compensating for a shipping time delay associated with shipping the item from a supplier to the facility; and combining the adjusted future demand data at each one of the facilities to generate combined future demand data representing demand for the item at the supplier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for computational aggregation of information from an infrastructure system process by analytical programs tracking condition, maintenance, and scoring for both. An integrated score provides additional insights into actual real-life expectations for continued operation for an infrastructure asset. The system may be accessed over a presentation interface that permits “what if” testing, searching for similarly situated assets, incorporation of actual data of inspections and maintenance efforts, as well as data from similarly situated environments and systems. The information may be processed through numerical methods systems and statistical modules in order to obtain correlations, calculations, and predictions of useful life of assets and systems of assets.