Abstract: A system and method is provided that provides an early indication of consensus of opinion among a number of users regarding an event or observation indicated by a user. Such an opinion may be interesting to an information consumer, who may be interested in determining the outcome of the consensus relating to the event or observation, or may otherwise desire to perform surveillance or survey of a particular issue or subject. Such recognition of early events or observations may be useful in different areas, such as healthcare, finance, etc., where initial observations, if provided early, allow resulting decisions to be made much earlier. The opinion may, for instance, be used as an early indicator of problem with a product, company, etc. that would permit an information consumer to perform an action at a much earlier point than if he/she relied on traditional sources of information. Thus, such opinion information may be invaluable as a tool for monitoring events.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for validating a task of a plurality of tasks of a project. A computing application executes routines to automatically identify errors associated with one or more tasks. The routines generate exception reports that facilitate correction of the errors via user-determined selections of actions or via corrective actions automatically displayed by the computing application. The error identification facilitates validation of project elements including milestones, dependencies and deliverables, key work products, tasks in a work breakdown structure (WBS), predecessors and successors in the WBS, resources, work and labor rates, links between project plans, and an update of a project. Further, the error identification facilitates an analysis of schedule conflicts between give and get tasks.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for evaluating compliance with laws, regulations, and/or policies are presented. A metric definition for a metric may be received, the metric measuring an aspect of a business process. The measured aspect may represent a compliance concern. A first sigma score for the metric may be determined based on a number of opportunities and a number of defects. A second sigma score for the business process may be determined. A third sigma score for a business unit may be determined, the business unit implementing the business process. A fourth sigma score for a business segment may be determined, the business segment managing the business unit. A report may be generated, the report including the first sigma score, the second sigma score, the third sigma score, and the fourth sigma score.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a set of sampling sites may be automatically selected from a list of potential sampling sites. Each sampling site in the set may then be automatically associated with a list of analytes (e.g., in accordance with a pre-determined rule). A periodic collection of environmental samples from each of the sampling sites may then be automatically scheduled. An output may be provided for a user based on the scheduled periodic collection of environmental samples.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to modeling propagation of an information item in an online social network. A quality value for the information item to be posted in the online social network is calculated, and the quality value is compared to a posting threshold value. The posting threshold value being determined based on a strategic user model. A propagation of the information item through the online social network is emulated based on the comparison.

Abstract: Managing change in the design of a route-based project. Receiving data (a ticket) regarding a proposed change to the design of a route-based project. Associating the ticket with a project in a geographic information system (GIS). Communicating the ticket to an Analyst. Receiving spatializing data regarding the ticket. The ticket and spatializing data comprising a spatialized ticket. Communicating the spatialized ticket to a Quality Control Administrator. Receiving quality control approval of the spatialized ticket. Communicating the quality control approved ticket to at least one reviewer. Receiving recommendation from reviewers. The recommendations and the quality control approved ticket comprising a reviewed ticket. Communicating the reviewed ticket to at least one approver. Receiving approval from the approver. The approval and the reviewed ticket comprising an approved ticket. Committing the change described in the approved ticket to the GIS.

Abstract: Stored in a computer are scores related to answers given by human representatives of organizational units in response to defined questions. For the organizational units, total scores and weighted total scores are calculated. The weighted total scores are calculated by adding up weighted maximum scores assigned to the questions, the weighted maximum scores depending on the respective organizational unit and the respective question. Competence levels of the organizational units are calculated by scaling the total scores of the respective organizational unit to a scale of competence reaching from zero to a maximum competence. The maximum competence corresponds to the weighted total score calculated for the respective organizational unit. The computer generates a graphical representation of the competence levels for multiple organizational units of a particular organization.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a dynamic market system includes registering buyers and vendors of products and components associated with products. Buyers may send purchase requests to a dynamic vending engine, which may forward the purchase requests to vendors. Vendors may respond with sales offers. Buyers and vendors may organize into groups to obtain certain market advantages. When a purchase request for a product sub-system is received, the dynamic vending engine may automatically generate a number of purchase requests for product components included in the product sub-system.

Abstract: A method for suggesting associations between at least two subscriber/users or WWW surfers, in which compatibility between users is calculated based upon at least compatibility of subscriber/users. Such a compatibility is calculated based upon at least one compatibility parameter. One notable parameter is a satisfaction level (SL) parameter. The SL parameter is derived in a typical case from the dwell time of the subscriber/users, associated with specific web objects.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive remote decision making includes steps of: receiving from an application layer a target range for a level of reporting quality for processed data; setting data collection parameters to meet the target range; collecting the data from a plurality of remote data collecting devices deployed in the distributed computing system, a portion of said data being compromised during the collecting process; processing the collected data to produce the processed data; evaluating the processed data based on observable metrics of current collected data and reported data losses; forecasting an expected reporting quality while continuing to collect the data; comparing the expected reporting quality with the target range; and reporting the processed data when the expected reporting quality falls within the target range for the level of reporting quality.

Abstract: In an organization dynamics analysis service using a sensor, organization dynamics information is understandably provided to a lot of members on a customer side without receiving private information such as an individual name from the customer. Therefore, a sensor data associated with an ID is received from the customer site, and organization analysis is performed on a service provider side, and then, an organization analysis data based on the ID is fed back to the customer site. When the customer browses the organization analysis data, the ID is converted into the private information in a service gateway installed on the customer site in accordance with a conversion table for correspondence of the ID previously specified on the customer side and the private information (individual name), and is shown to the customer as the understandable information.

Abstract: Wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and other entities can use a network gateway as a common point of access to information regarding the presentation of their products to consumers. Such a gateway could be used by representatives for uploading information gathered at retail locations using specially designed mobile applications which would include functionality for facilitating later search and retrieval of the information, such as by tagging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for continuous performance improvement. The system can include a web-based workspace module adapted to provide visibility of project documentation and to provide collaboration and version control for the project documentation, the web-based workspace further adapted to provide a corporate portal. The system can also include a project performance management module adapted to provide an assessment of current project performance against project-unique performance metrics. The system can further include a contract deliverable management module adapted to provide a report of project deliverables along with a delivery status of each project deliverable, and a financial reporting module adapted to provide financial reports representing project financial status.