Performance Prediction Service Using Business-Process Information

• US 20080235080A1
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Krasikov, Sophia, Velayudham, Senthilnathan, Segal, Alla, Chess, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,626,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06393 Score-carding, benchmarking or key performance indicator [KPI] analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data

Abstract

Performance prediction techniques are provided that utilize business-process information such as transaction history and log information. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a computer-based technique for providing a performance prediction service comprises the following steps/operations. First, business-process information associated with a business is obtained. Then, a performance estimation function is generated based at least in part on the business-process information, the performance estimation function being usable in responding to a query obtained from a potential customer of the business.

Claims

1. A computer-based method of providing a performance prediction service, comprising the steps of:

obtaining business-process information associated with a business; and

generating a performance estimation function based at least in part on the business-process information, the performance estimation function being usable in responding to a query obtained from a potential customer of the business.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of obtaining post-fact reputation information associated with the business, wherein the post-fact reputation information is also used to generate the performance estimation function.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of obtaining post-fact reputation information further comprises obtaining such information from one or more prior clients of the business.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining business-process information further comprises obtaining such information from the business in real-time or offline.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining business-process information further comprises obtaining such information from the business in response to a single request or in a continually streaming form.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining business-process information further comprises obtaining business operational information associated with at least one of transactions, backorders, cancelled orders, and service level agreement compliance associated with the business.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing sensitive information from the business-process information.

8. A computer-based method of providing a performance prediction service, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a query from a potential customer of a business; and

utilizing a performance estimation function in responding to the query obtained from the potential customer of the business, wherein the performance estimation function is generated based at least in part on business-process information obtained from the business.

9. Apparatus for providing a performance prediction service, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and operative to;

(i) obtain business-process information associated with a business; and

(ii) generate a performance estimation function based at least in part on the business-process information, the performance estimation function being usable in responding to a query obtained from a potential customer of the business.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further operative to obtain post-fact reputation information associated with the business, wherein the post-fact reputation information is also used to generate the performance estimation function.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the operation of obtaining post-fact reputation information further comprises obtaining such information from one or more prior clients of the business.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the operation of obtaining business-process information further comprises obtaining such information from the business in real-time or offline.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the operation of obtaining business-process information further comprises obtaining such information from the business in response to a single request or in a continually streaming form.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the operation of obtaining business-process information further comprises obtaining business operational information associated with at least one of transactions, backorders, cancelled orders, and service level agreement compliance associated with the business.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further operative to remove sensitive information from the business-process information.

16. Apparatus for providing a performance prediction service, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and operative to;

(i) obtain a query from a potential customer of a business; and

(ii) utilize a performance estimation function in responding to the query obtained from the potential customer of the business, wherein the performance estimation function is generated based at least in part on business-process information obtained from the business.

17. An article of manufacture for providing a performance prediction service, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

obtaining business-process information associated with a business; and

generating a performance estimation function based at least in part on the business-process information, the performance estimation function being usable in responding to a query obtained from a potential customer of the business.

18. An article of manufacture for providing a performance prediction service, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

obtaining a query from a potential customer of a business; and

utilizing a performance estimation function in responding to the query obtained from the potential customer of the business, wherein the performance estimation function is generated based at least in part on business-process information obtained from the business.

19. A method for providing a performance prediction service, comprising the step of:

a service provider providing a service to a customer which comprises obtaining business-process information associated with a business, and generating a performance estimation function based at least in part on the business-process information, the performance estimation function being usable in responding to a query obtained from a potential customer of the business.

20. A method for providing a performance prediction service, comprising the step of:

a service provider providing a service to a customer which comprises obtaining a query from a potential customer of a business, and utilizing a performance estimation function in responding to the query obtained from the potential customer of the business, wherein the performance estimation function is generated based at least in part on business-process information obtained from the business.