Controlling a business using a business information and decisioning control system

• US 20040138934A1
• Filed: 04/18/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Johnson, Christopher D., Kalish, Peter A., Dingman, Brian N., Kapoor, Mousumi G.
• Application Number:
  US10/418,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138934A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• 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 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A method is described for affecting changes in a business including a multiple interrelated business processes. The method includes: (a) providing a business information and decisioning control system to a user, the business information and decisioning control system having a business system user interface; (b) generating an output result using a business model provided by the business information and decisioning control system, the output result providing guidance on the control of the business; (c) presenting the output result to the user via the business system user interface; (d) receiving the user'"'"'s selection of a command via the business system user interface, where the command prompts at least one of the interrelated business processes to make a change, the change based on guidance provided by the output result; (e) transmitting instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes, where the instructions are based on the command; and (f) executing the change in the at least one interrelated business processes in response to the command.

Claims

1. A method for affecting changes in a business including multiple interrelated business processes, comprising:

providing a business information and decisioning control system to a user, wherein the business information and decisioning control system is coupled to the interrelated business processes, further wherein the business information and decisioning control system includes a business system user interface for interacting with the interrelated business proceses;

generating an output result using a business model provided by the business information and decisioning control system, the output result providing guidance on the control of the business;

presenting the output result to the user via the business system user interface;

receiving the user'"'"'s selection of a command via the business system user interface, wherein the command prompts at least one of the interrelated business processes to make a change, the change based on guidance provided by the output result;

transmitting instructions to at least one of the interrelated business processes, wherein the instructions are based on the command; and

executing the change in the at least one of the interrelated business processes in response to the command.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the business system user interface includes an input mechanism that detects the user'"'"'s input via tactile-related input detection, key actuation, sound recognition, motion detection, or biofeedback input detection.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein business system user interface includes:

a first display field for presenting information regarding what has happened in the business in the past;

a second display field for presenting information regarding what is presently happening in the business; and

a third display field for presenting information regarding what is projected to happen in the business in the future.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the business system user interface includes a display field for entering what-if input selections that define a what-if case scenario, and wherein the output result is based on the what-if case scenario.

5. A method according to claim 4, further including the step of toggling between a what-if mode of operation and a do-what mode of operation, wherein the do-what mode of operation allows the user to enter the command via the business system user interface.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the business system user interface includes a display field for entering the user'"'"'s command.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the business model generates the output result based, at least in part, on historical data collected from the interrelated business processes.

8. A method according to claim 7, further including collecting the historical data from the interrelated business processes, transforming the historical data into a designated form, and storing the transformed data in a database for use by the business information and decisioning control system, where the database is coupled to the business information and decisioning control system.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the historical data is collected from at least one source that is internal to the business, and at least one source that is external to the business.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of presenting the output result includes displaying a graphical representation of the output result to the user.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying an indication of a consequence of the change made to the at least one of the interrelated business processes, and presenting information which correlates the entered command with the displayed indication of the consequence.

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising translating the received command into the instructions transmitted to the one of the interrelated business processes using control coupling information stored in memory, wherein the control coupling information maps command information into instruction information.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic mode of operation that includes automatically generating an output result based on the occurrence of a predetermined event, and automatically propagating instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes based on the automatically generated output result.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the automatic mode of operation affects substantially real time control of the business in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting of instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes comprises transmitting a notification to at least one individual associated with the at least one of the interrelated business processes.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the instructions comprises transmitting information-bearing signals over a communication path.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the interrelated business processes includes a plurality of resources that collectively perform a business task, and the command affects a change in at least one of the resources to affect a change in operation of the business task.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein at least one resource includes an engine for executing analysis, and wherein the command affects a change in the operation of the engine.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the engine provides an output that reflects a decision, where the decision is based on factors input to the engine.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one resource includes a procedure used in the at least one of the interrelated business processes, and wherein the command affects a change in the procedure.

21. A method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one resource includes a business model used by the business information and decisioning control system, and wherein the command affects a change in the model.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein the business pertains to a leasing operation.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the command causes a change to be made in an engine that determines business leads in the leasing operation.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the command causes a change to be made in a decisioning engine that determines a type of underwriting strategy to be applied to a potential lessee in the leasing operation.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein the command causes a change to be made in a decision engine that governs the underwriting of leases in the leasing operation.

26. A computer-readable medium including instructions for carrying out the method of claim 1.

27. A method for using a business information and decisioning control system to affect a change in a business including multiple interrelated business processes, comprising:

activating a business system user interface provided by the business information and decisioning control system;

viewing an output result provided by the business system user interface, wherein the output result provides guidance on the control of the business based on feedback from the interrelated business processes, wherein the output result is generated using a business model;

determining whether the guidance provides satisfactory information for use in controlling the business;

if the output result is deemed satisfactory, entering a command via the business system user interface, wherein the command prompts at least one of the interrelated business processes to make a change, the change based on guidance provided by the output result; and

viewing another output result that reflects the effects of the change made to the business process; and

repeating the determining and the entering of a command based on the other output result.

28. A business information and decisioning control system for affecting changes in a business including multiple interrelated business processes, comprising:

a control module configured to receive information provided by the interrelated business processes, and to provide commands to the interrelated business processes;

a business system user interface, coupled to the control module, configured to allow a user to interact with the control module;

wherein the control module includes;

logic configured to generate an output result using a business model, the output result providing guidance on the control of the business;

logic configured to present the output result to the user;

logic configured to receive the user'"'"'s selection of a command via the business system user interface, wherein the command prompts at least one of the interrelated business processes to make a change, the change based on guidance provided by the output result; and

logic configured to transmit instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes that are based on the command,

wherein the at least of the interrelated business processes executes the change in response to the instructions.

29. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the control module is implemented in a server, and the business system user interface is implemented in a client, wherein the server is coupled to the client via a data-bearing communication path.

30. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 29, wherein the control module is configured to receive the information provided by the interrelated business processes via the data-bearing communication path, and the control module is configured to transmit the instructions to the interrelated business processes via the data-bearing communication path.

31. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the business system user interface includes an input mechanism that detects the user'"'"'s input via tactile-related input detection, key actuation, sound recognition, motion detection, or biofeedback input detection.

32. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein business system user interface includes:

a first display field for presenting information regarding what has happened in the business in the past;

a second display field for presenting information regarding what is presently happening in the business; and

a third display field for presenting information regarding what is projected to happen in the business in the future.

33. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the business system interface includes a display field for entering what-if input selections that define a what-if case scenario, and wherein the output result is based on the what-if case scenario.

34. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the business system interface includes a display field for entering the user'"'"'s command.

35. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the business model is configured to generate the output result based, at least in part, on historical data collected from the interrelated business processes.

36. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 35, further including an extract-transform-load module configured to collect the historical data from the interrelated business processes, transform the historical data into a designated form, and store the transformed data in a database for use by the business information and decisioning control system, where the database is coupled to the business information and decisioning control system.

37. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 35, wherein the historical data is collected from at least one source that is internal to the business, and at least one source that is external to the business.

38. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the logic for presenting the output results to the user is configured to present the output result by displaying a graphical representation of the output result to the user.

39. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the logic for presenting the output results to the user is configured to also display an indication of a consequence of the change made to the at least one of the interrelated business processes, and to present information which correlates the entered command with the displayed indication of the consequence.

40. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the control module further comprises logic configured to translate the received command into the instructions transmitted to the one of the interrelated business processes using control coupling information stored in memory, wherein the control coupling information maps command information into instruction information.

41. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the control module further comprises automated analysis logic configured to automatically generate an output result based on the occurrence of a predetermined event, and automatically propagate instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes based on the automatically generated output result.

42. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 41, wherein the automated analysis logic is configured to affect substantially real time control of the business in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

43. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein the logic for transmitting instructions to at least one of the interrelated business processes is configured to transmit a notification to at least one individual associated with the at least one of the interrelated business processes.

44. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the interrelated business processes includes a plurality of resources that collectively perform a business task, and the command affects a change in at least one of the resources to affect a change in operation of the business task.

45. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 44, wherein at least one resource includes an engine for executing analysis, and wherein the command affects a change in the operation of the engine.

46. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 45, wherein the engine is configured to provide an output that reflects a decision, where the decision is based on factors input to the engine.

47. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 44, wherein the at least one resource includes a procedure used in the at least one of the interrelated business processes, and wherein the command affects a change in the procedure.

48. A business information and decisioning control system according to claim 44, wherein the at least one resource includes a business model used by the business information and decisioning control system, and wherein the command affects a change in the business model.

49. A computer-readable medium including instructions for carrying out the control module logic of claim 28.

50. A business system user interface of a business information and decisioning control system, wherein the business information and decisioning control system includes a control module that is configured to receive information provided by multiple interrelated business processes in a business, and to provide commands to the interrelated business processes, comprising:

a first display field that presents a plurality of graphical input mechanisms; and

a second display field that provides an output result using a business model provided by the business information and decisioning control system, the output result providing guidance on the control of the business;

wherein the first display field is configured to receive the user'"'"'s selection of a command, wherein the control module is configured to transmit instructions to at least one of the interrelated business processes based on the command, the instructions affecting a change in the at least one of the interrelated business processes, and

wherein the second display field is configured to display an output result that shows the result of the change, enabling the user to enter another command to thereby provide corrections to an operation of the interrelated business processes.

51. A business system, comprising:

multiple interrelated business processes for accomplishing a business objective, wherein each of the interrelated business processes includes a plurality of resources that collectively perform a business task;

a business information and decisioning control system, including;

a control module configured to receive information provided by the interrelated business processes, and to provide commands to the interrelated business processes;

a business system user interface, coupled to the control module, configured to allow a user to interact with the control module;

wherein the control module includes;

logic configured to generate an output result using a business model, the output result providing guidance on the control of the business;

logic configured to present the output result to the user;

logic configured to receive the user'"'"'s selection of a command via the business system user interface, wherein the command prompts at least one of the interrelated business processes to make a change, the change based on guidance provided by the output result; and

logic configured to transmit instructions to the at least one of the interrelated business processes that are based on the command,

wherein the at least one of the interrelated business processes is configured to receive the instructions and to make a change in at least one resource of the at least one of the interrelated business processes in response to the instructions.