Digital cockpit

• US 20040015381A1
• Filed: 01/09/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Cheng, Hong, LaComb, Christina A., Messmer, Richard P., Rajpal, Sunil, Kapoor, Navneet, Johnson, Christopher D., Kalish, Peter A., Dingman, Brian N., Interrante, John A., Simmons, Melvin K.
• Application Number:
  US10/339,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015381A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A digital cockpit allows a cockpit user to “steer” a business in the same manner that a cockpit of an airplane is used to control the airplane. A number of digital cockpit features enable this functionality. For example, the digital cockpit provides an efficient mechanism for providing prompt reporting regarding a business'"'"'s past behavior, its current behavior, and its projected future behavior. The digital cockpit uses a suite of business models to provide such information. The digital cockpit further includes mechanisms for allowing a user to carry out desired control of the business by making changes to the business'"'"'s processes and associated systems. Further, the digital cockpit provides a modular design which allows for the efficient plug-in and modification of business models.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a business operation in a business, wherein the business includes plural subprocesses, comprising:

collecting data relevant to the operation of the business;

storing the data in a data storage;

performing a first data manipulation task using the stored data to generate a first output result that provides historical information regarding the past course of the business operation and the present course of the business operation;

performing a second data manipulation task using the stored data to generate a second output result that provides a forecast regarding the future course of the business operation;

disseminating the first output result and the second output result to a user for viewing at a viewing device, wherein the user makes a decision regarding the control of the business operation, including its plural subprocesses, based on the first output result and the second output result; and

receiving an input from the user using the viewing device that affects guidance of the business operation based on the user'"'"'s decision.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the collecting comprises:

collecting data from at least one source internal to the business; and

collecting data from at least one source external to the business.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

performing initial data processing on the data to transform the data into a specified form prior to storing the data in the data storage.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the initial data processing comprises:

performing quality checks on the data to ensure that the data is in the specified form.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data storage is a business data warehouse.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the performing of the second data manipulation task comprises:

initiating the second data manipulation task in response to the user identifying a “

what-if”

scenario via the viewing device; and

executing the second data manipulation task by computing a predicted consequence of the identified “

what-if”

scenario.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the performing of the second data manipulation task comprises:

initiating the second data manipulation task in response to a user identifying a desired outcome result via the viewing device; and

executing the second data manipulation task by developing a recommendation regarding a course of action that is projected to achieve the desired outcome result.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second data manipulation task maps at least one input value X to at least one output value Y using a transfer function.

9. A method according to claim 1, where the second data manipulation task also provides information regarding the level of confidence associated with the second output result as a function of future time.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

defining a reaction zone that represents a time required by the business to react to a change in the business operation, wherein the reaction zone is a function of at least the capacity of the business to react to a change, and the accuracy of the forecast regarding the future course of the business operation; and

tailoring the first data manipulation task and the second data manipulation task so that the first output result and the second output result provide sufficient information for the business to react to a change in view of the reaction zone of the business.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 1.

12. A method for presenting information for use in controlling a business operation, comprising:

initiating the execution of a data manipulation task involving the use of a business tool, where the business tool is one among a group of business tools having different respective processing protocols;

activating an interface associated with the business tool;

executing the performance of the data manipulation task in a manner specified by the interface, including;

retrieving a file that specifies instructions for use in performing the data manipulation task; and

executing the instructions specified in the file using the business tool, and generating an output result in response thereto; and

disseminating the output result to a user for viewing, wherein the output result provides guidance on the operation of the business for use in steering the business in a desired direction.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the initiating of the execution of the data manipulation task comprises:

identifying an activity specified in a sequence of instructions, wherein the sequence of instructions defines a business model job; and

notifying the interface of the activity, to enable the interface to execute the data manipulation task corresponding to the activity.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the sequence of instructions is formed using a markup language.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the initiating of the execution of the data manipulation task further comprises:

identifying an activity type specified in a sequence of instructions, wherein the sequence of instructions defines a business model job; and

determining a type of business tool that is to be used in performing the data manipulation task based on the activity type.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the business tool is a business analytic tool for providing a historical summary of the past course of the business operation.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein the business tool is a business analytic tool for providing a predictive forecast of the future course of the business operation.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein the business tool is a data-gathering tool for collecting and preprocessing of data.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:

repeating the operations of initiating, activating and executing using a business analytic tool.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein the execution of the instructions comprises:

activating a wrapper associated with the business tool,

wherein the wrapper coordinates the execution of the instructions by;

passing input data to the business tool for use by the business tool in performing the data manipulation task; and

retrieving the output result provided by the business tool.

21. A method according to claim 12, further comprising:

logging an indication that the business tool has executed the instructions.

22. A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of disseminating comprising:

forwarding the output result to a viewing device.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 12.

24. A method for interacting with a tool, comprising:

initiating the execution of a data manipulation task involving the use of the tool, where the tool is one among a group of tools having different respective processing protocols;

activating an interface associated with the tool; and

executing the performance of the data manipulation task in a manner specified by the interface, including;

retrieving a file that specifies instructions for use in performing the data manipulation task; and

executing the instructions specified in the file using the tool, and generating an output result in response thereto.

25. A system for controlling a business operation in a business, wherein the business includes plural subprocesses, comprising:

a data extraction subsystem configured to collect data relevant to the operation of the business;

a data storage subsystem configured to store the extracted data;

a presentation and analysis subsystem configured to;

perform a first data manipulation task using the stored data to generate a first output result that provides historical information regarding the past course of business operation and the present course of the business operation;

perform a second data manipulation task using the stored data to generate a second output result that provides a forecast regarding the future course of the business operation;

a notification and dissemination subsystem configured to disseminate the first output result and the second output result to a user for viewing; and

a viewing device for receiving and displaying the first output result and the second output result,

wherein the viewing device includes a control module configured to affect guidance of the business operation, including its plural subprocesses, in response to interaction with the user.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the data extraction subsystem is configured to:

collect data from at least one source internal to the business; and

collect data from at least one source external to the business.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein the data extraction subsystem is further configured to:

perform initial data processing on the data to transform the data into a specified form prior to storing the data in the data storage subsystem.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein the data extraction subsystem is configured to perform initial data processing by:

performing quality checks on the data to ensure that the data is in a specified form.

29. A system according to claim 25, wherein the data storage subsystem includes a business data warehouse.

30. A system according to claim 25, wherein the presentation and analysis subsystem is configured to perform the second data manipulation task by:

initiating the second data manipulation task in response to the user identifying a “

what-if”

scenario via the cockpit viewing device; and

executing the second data manipulation task by computing a predicted consequence of the identified “

what-if”

scenario.

31. A system according to claim 25, wherein the presentation and analysis subsystem is configured to perform the second data manipulation task by:

initiating the second data manipulation task in response to a user identifying a desired outcome result; and

executing the second data manipulation task by developing a recommendation regarding a course of action that is projected to achieve the desired outcome result.

32. A system according to claim 25, further include at least one business model that uses a transfer function to map at least one input value X to at least one output value Y, wherein the second data manipulation task is configured to perform the second data manipulation task using the business model.

33. A system according to claim 25, wherein the presentation and analysis subsystem is configured to perform the second data manipulation task by also providing information regarding the level of confidence associated with the second output result as a function of future time.

34. A system according to claim 25, wherein the control module includes a graphical user interface for interacting with the user to affect the control of the business operation.

35. A system for presenting information for use in controlling a business operation, comprising:

a controller module;

a group of business tools having different respective processing protocols;

an interface for coordinating interaction between the controller module and a business tool selected from among the group of business tools,

wherein the interface logic includes;

logic configured to receive a request from the controller module to execute a data manipulation task involving the business tool;

logic configured to retrieve a file that specifies instructions for use in performing the data manipulation task by the business tool,

wherein the business tool executes the instructions specified in the file to generate an output result; and

logic configured to disseminate the output result to a user for viewing, wherein the output result provides guidance on the operation of the business for use in steering the business in a desired direction.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein the controller module is configured to initiate the execution of the data manipulation task by:

identifying an activity specified in a sequence of instructions, wherein the sequence of instructions defines a business model job; and

notifying the interface of the activity, to enable the interface to execute the data manipulation task corresponding to the activity.

37. A system according to claim 36, wherein the sequence of instructions is formed using a markup language.

38. A system according to claim 35, wherein the controller module is configured to initiate the execution of the data manipulation task by:

identifying an activity type specified in a sequence of instructions, wherein the sequence of instructions defines a business model job; and

determining a type of business tool that is to be used in performing the data manipulation task.

39. A system according to claim 35, wherein the business tool is a business analytic tool for providing a historical summary of the past course of the business operation.

40. A system according to claim 35, wherein the business tool is a business analytic tool for providing a predictive forecast of the future course of the business operation.

41. A system according to claim 35, wherein the business tool is a data-gathering tool for collecting and preprocessing of data.

42. A system according to claim 35, further comprising a wrapper configured to coordinate execution of the instructions by:

passing input data to the business tool for use by the business tool in performing the data manipulation task; and

retrieving the output result provided by the business tool.

43. A system according to claim 35, further comprising:

logging logic configured to log an indication that the business tool has executed the instructions.

44. A system for interacting with a tool, comprising:

a controller module;

an interface for coordinating interaction between the controller module and the tool, where the business tool is one among a group of business tools having different respective processing protocols;

wherein the interface logic includes;

logic configured to receive a request from the controller module to execute a data manipulation task involving the tool;

logic configured to retrieve a file that specifies instructions for use in performing the data manipulation task by the tool,

wherein the tool executes the instructions specified in the file to generate an output result.

45. A system, comprising:

a data-gathering tool for collecting and preprocessing data;

a business analytic tool for performing analysis on the data;

a controller module for executing a job involving the use of the data-gathering tool and the business analytic tool; and

an engine abstraction layer associated with the controller module for coordinating interaction between the controller module and the data-gathering tool, and between the controller module and the business analytic tool.

46. A method for developing a model, comprising:

specifying at least one activity used by the model;

specifying a tool to be used to perform the at least one activity; and

storing an indication of the specified at least one activity and the specified tool to form a job script,

wherein the at least one activity includes a file associated therewith, the file containing instructions to be used by the tool in performing the at least one activity when the job script is executed.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the job script is formed using a markup language.

48. A method according to claim 46, further including specifying the file associated with the at least one activity.

49. A method according to claim 46, further including specifying job metadata that identifies the model.

50. A method according to claim 46, further including specifying output of the model which is to be archived when the job script is executed.

51. A method according to claim 46, further including providing a graphical user interface including at least one interface page for use in specifying the activity and the tool.

52. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the job script recited in claim 46.

53. A system for developing a model using a graphical user interface, comprising:

logic configured to prompt a user to specifying at least one activity used by the model;

logic configured to prompt the user to specify a tool to be used to perform the at least one activity; and

logic configured to store an indication of the specified at least one activity and the specified tool to form a job script,

wherein the at the least one activity includes a file associated therewith, the file containing instructions to be used by the tool in performing the at least one activity when the job script is executed.

54. A system according to claim 53, wherein the job script is formed using a markup language.

55. A system according to claim 53, further including logic configured to prompt the user to specify the file associated with the at least one activity.

56. A system according to claim 53, further including logic configured to prompt the user to specify job metadata that identifies the model.

57. A system according to claim 53, further including logic configured to prompt the user to specify output of the model which is to be archived when the job script is executed.

58. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the logic in claim 53.