International Business Machines Corporation

Judy J Kogut-O'Connell

Ajay Sinha

Sanjeev V Pradhan

Sunil Sridhar

Ryan S Carrington

Jackie L Hill

Catherine Ng

Ann T Storms

Amy Jeanne Snavely

Charles Franklin Berry

Paul Anthony Zulpa

James D Episale

Aldo Morandin

Yoshiaki Ohsumi

Lynn M Digirolamo

Jose De Jesus Michel Rodriguez

Donna M Platt

Anne C Ten Dyke

Warren Jy Wu

Luella A Korsky

John J Yuskis, Iii

Thiago De Paula Tomarchio

Joseph P Coyne

Harold A Daub

Jacqueline A Turner

Teresa G Fiore

Dallas J Pesola

Michael A Fortine

Danielle N Wexler

Pamela K Lowe

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for a predictive approach to contract management. In one embodiment, acceptable contract parameters are predicted based, at least in part on historic data and specified thresholds of identified contract parameters. Predicting acceptable contract parameters can help reduce negotiation cycles.

Predictive approach to contract management

Impact protection comprises using an impact protection apparatus to protect an electronic device from damage due to an impact with a surface (for example, if the device is dropped or falls from a height), reducing the likelihood that the device will be damaged by the impact. The impact protection apparatus comprises a flexible band that is placed around a perimeter of the device, where this band has a plurality of objects integrated therein. The objects are generally disposed along a length of the band, preferably in pairs. The flexible band is capable of adapting to a shape of a perimeter of the device. Each of the objects has a height suitable for causing the device to remain at a distance above a surface on which the device is located, once the band is placed around the perimeter of the device. The band preferably has a groove into which the device is insertable, thereby enabling the band to grip the perimeter of the device.

Impact protection for electronic devices

Embodiments of the invention relates to tracking changes made to a document, and embedding the changes in the document while limiting access to the embedded changes. A log of the revisions is retained in a revision history, which is stored in an object library of alternative storage. Access to the document with acceptance of the changes is enabled. Markings associated with deletions and additions to the document, the revision history, or an alternative view showing the changes made is limited based upon a security protocol.

Managing document revisions

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for managing access to job-specific information, applications, and physical locations. The system includes a network server in communication with client systems, and further includes: a database of employee records and a database of job code records both accessible to at least one of the client systems via the network server; an employee directory database including employee names and employee contact information; and an access management tool executable by the server. The access management tool processes changes to access requirements, updates respective databases, and transmits notices to designated client systems. The invention also includes a method and a storage medium.

Method, system, and storage medium for managing access to job-specific information, applications, and physical locations

A method, system and computer program product for communicating requests to multiple destinations in a business transaction are disclosed. A mass request is communicated to a processing center, the mass request including an identification portion and a content portion. The identification portion is used to obtain a parent attribute common to requests to all destinations. The content portion is parsed to generate multiple content strings corresponding to the multiple destinations. The parent attribute and each content string is combined to generate an individual request to a respective destination.

Populating requests to multiple destinations using a mass request

A computer data processing system executing a method for selecting an auction methodology for a buyer/supplier procurement process, wherein the method comprises determining an auction scope in the data processing system, determining an auction interaction in the data processing system, determining an auction control in the data processing system, determining an auction pricing in the data processing system, determining a set of auction closing rules in the data processing system, determining an auction iteration in the data processing system, and selecting an auction methodology based on the auction scope, the auction interaction, the auction control, the auction pricing, the auction closing rules, and the auction iteration.

Process for determining an auction methodology

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based method and system for identifying, categorizing, and sharing preferred web site links over a communications network via a web key tool. The method includes receiving a request from a user client system to incorporate information relating to a web site into the web key tool; launching the web key tool and selecting a related option from a menu screen's list of options provided; associating the web site information with a category; transmitting the information to a central storage location associated with the web key tool where the information and request are processed for approval; saving the approved information in the central storage location; updating related database files with respect to the approved information; and providing access to the approved information via the communications network to authorized system users.

Method and system for managing preferred web site links

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based method and system for providing multi-user electronic calendaring and scheduling functions in an extended enterprise environment. The method includes scheduling trainees for online classes conducted by a training system, presenting a template pertaining to an open class time, associating scheduled class data to the scheduler for tracking and confirmation purposes, emailing notifications to trainees, updating class registration and related databases in real time via replication functions, aggregating and transmitting class registration data to the training system, and transmitting results of classes to trainees and the scheduler all via a multi-user electronic calendaring and scheduling application.

Method and system for providing multi-user electronic calendaring and scheduling functions for online instruction in an extended enterprise environment

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Hopewell Junction, NY, United States of America

Judy J Kogut-O'Connell