System, method and computer program product for a collaborative decision platform

• US 7,617,169 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2007
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aloft Media, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Owen, Daniel L., Kusnic, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes, Michael B
• Application Number:
  US11/828,129
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 706/46
• US Class Current: 706/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities

Abstract

A decision making system, method and computer program product are provided. Initially, a plurality of attributes is defined. Thereafter, first information regarding the attributes is received from a receiving business. Second information is then received regarding proposed products or services in terms of the attributes. Such second information is received from a supplying business. In use, a decision process is executed based on the first information and the second information.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a tangible computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for executing a process;

wherein the computer code for executing is adapted for being executed using a system capable of;

(i) executing an application capable of performing logic related t decision-making;

(ii) retrieving database information from a database in accordance with the logic;

(iii) receiving user information from a user in accordance with the logic utilizing a user interface; and

(iv) processing the database information and the user information utilizing the logic for generating output of the processing;

wherein one or more of (ii)-(iv) are carried out utilizing, at least in part, a decision platform capable of accomplishing the one or more of (ii)-(iv) for different purposes by using different applications each capable of performing different logic;

an application interface that provides an interface between the application and the decision platform, such that the one or more of (ii)-(iv) are carried out utilizing, at least in part, universal modules capable of interfacing with the different applications which are adapted for applying the universal modules to different business sectors, the different applications including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application; and

the decision platform communicating with the application through an interface protocol.

2. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the business sectors include at least one of real estate, medicine, corporate, and financial.

3. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform includes a collaborative decision platform.

4. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include at least one of a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

5. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include a framing module.

6. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include an alternatives module.

7. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include an analysis module.

8. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include a connection module.

9. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the universal modules include a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

10. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the process relates to customer relationship management.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface protocol includes a standard interface protocol.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein real-time decision making is provided.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein data is collected for generating a decision hierarchy.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein data is collected for generating an influence diagram.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is further capable of delivering presentation information to the user in accordance with the logic utilizing the user interface.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform includes an industry independent platform.

17. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a purchase agreement.

18. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a delivery agreement.

19. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the corporate-related application.

20. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application.

21. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the service supply-related application.

22. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

23. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

computer code for receiving first information from a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving second information, wherein the second information is received from a supplying entity;

wherein the computer code for executing the process is based on the first information and the second information.

24. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the first information and the second information involve attributes that include at least one of price, sales, variable costs, fixed cost, and investment.

25. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, the first information and the second information involve attributes that include at least one of market share, market size, labor cost, material cost, administrative cost, annual expenses, working capital, planning and equipment.

26. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the first information and the second information are received utilizing a network.

27. The computer program product as recited in claim 26, wherein the network is the Internet.

28. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the decision process relates to which products or services is suitable for the receiving entity.

29. The computer program product as recited in claim 28, wherein the products or services include products.

30. The computer program product as recited in claim 29, wherein the products include non-existent products.

31. The computer program product as recited in claim 29, wherein the products include existent products.

32. The computer program product as recited in claim 28, wherein the products or services include services.

33. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein real-time collaborative decision making is provided between the receiving entity and the supplying entity.

34. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the supplying entity provides alternatives in terms of an associated effect on the first information.

35. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the supplying entity includes a supplying business.

36. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the receiving entity includes a receiving business.

109. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, and further comprising computer code for assessing uncertainties for analysis purposes.

110. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application and the product supply-related application relates to marketing at least one product.

111. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the service supply-related application and the service supply-related application relates to marketing at least one service.

112. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one application is the corporate-related application and the corporate-related application relates to marketing.

113. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the logic is related to a business-to-business transaction.

114. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the computer code for receiving the first information, receiving the second information, and executing is executed using the system.

115. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the second information includes information relating to controllables.

116. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the second information includes information relating to uncertainties.

117. The computer program product as recited in claim 116, wherein the uncertainties include independent uncertainties.

118. The computer program product as recited in claim 116, wherein the uncertainties include uncertainties dependent on decisions.

119. The computer program product as recited in claim 116, wherein the uncertainties include at least one of a product sales volume change, a margin change, a cost change, or a margin change.

120. The computer program product as recited in claim 116, wherein the uncertainties include at least two of a product sales volume change, a margin change, a cost change, and a margin change.

121. The computer program product as recited in claim 116, wherein the uncertainties include at least three of a product sales volume change, a margin change, a cost change, and a margin change.

122. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the second information includes information relating to information sources.

123. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the second information includes information relating to decision alternatives.

124. The computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the second information includes information relating to sources of value.

125. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes a structural relationship of decisions.

126. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes input from a spreadsheet.

127. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes at least one equation relating to at least one decision.

128. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes a plurality of equations relating to a plurality of decisions.

129. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes structural relationship of decisions, values, and uncertainties.

130. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product is capable of supporting an asynchronous decision-making process.

131. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes policies that form boundary conditions for a decision.

132. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program product utilizes values that are important to a decision and uncertainties that potentially impact the values.

133. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the application is separate from the decision platform.

134. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the logic supports the decision-making.

135. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the system includes hardware.

136. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the system includes software.

137. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the database includes at least one decision-relevant database.

138. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the database is one of a plurality of databases that are included.

139. The computer program product as recited in claim 138, wherein the plurality of databases are coupled via at least one network.

140. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the system includes the decision platform.

141. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the decision platform includes a platform that supports decision making.

142. The computer program product as recited in claim 1, wherein the system includes the application.

37. A method, comprising:

executing a process;

wherein the executing is carried out using a system capable of;

(i) executing an application capable of performing logic related to decision-making;

(ii) retrieving database information from a database in accordance with the logic;

(iii) receiving user information from a user in accordance with the logic utilizing a user interface; and

(iv) processing the database information and the user information utilizing the logic for generating output of the processing;

wherein one or more of (ii)-(iv) are carried out utilizing, at least in part, a decision platform capable of accomplishing the one or more of (ii)-(iv) for different purposes using different applications each capable of performing different logic;

providing an interface between the application and the decision platform, such that the one or more of (ii)-(iv) are carried out utilizing, at least in part, universal modules capable of interfacing with the different applications which adapted for applying the universal modules to different business sectors, the different applications including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application; and

the decision platform communicating with the application through an interface protocol.

38. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the business sectors include at least one of real estate, medicine, corporate, and financial.

39. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the decision platform includes a collaborative decision platform.

40. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the universal modules include at least one of a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

41. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the universal modules include a framing module.

42. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the universal modules include an alternatives module.

43. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the universal modules include an analysis module.

44. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the universal modules include a connection module.

45. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the universal modules include a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

46. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the process relates to customer relationship management.

47. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the interface protocol includes a standard interface protocol.

48. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein real-time decision making is provided.

49. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein data is collected for generating a decision hierarchy.

50. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein data is collected for generating an influence diagram.

51. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the system is further capable of delivering presentation information to the user in accordance with the logic utilizing the user interface.

52. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the decision platform includes an industry independent platform.

53. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a purchase agreement.

54. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a delivery agreement.

55. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the at least one application is the corporate-related application.

56. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application.

57. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the at least one application is the service supply-related application.

58. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

59. The method as recited in claim 37, further comprising:

receiving first information from a receiving entity;

receiving second information regarding proposed products or services, wherein the second information is received from a supplying entity;

wherein the executing the process is based on the first information and the second information;

wherein receiving the first information, receiving the second information, and executing is executed using the system.

60. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the first information and the second information involve attributes that include at least one of price, sales, variable costs, fixed cost, and investment.

61. The method as recited in claim 59, the first information and the second information involve attributes that include at least one of market share, market size, labor cost, material cost, administrative cost, annual expenses, working capital, planning and equipment.

62. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the first information and the second information are received utilizing a network.

63. The method as recited in claim 62, wherein the network is the Internet.

64. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the decision process relates to which products or services is suitable for the receiving entity.

65. The method as recited in claim 64, wherein the products or services include products.

66. The method as recited in claim 65, wherein the products include non-existent products.

67. The method as recited in claim 65, wherein the products include existent products.

68. The method as recited in claim 64, wherein the products or services include services.

69. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein real-time collaborative decision making is provided between the receiving entity and the supplying entity.

70. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the supplying entity provides alternatives in terms of an associated effect on the first information.

71. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the supplying entity includes a supplying business.

72. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the receiving entity includes a receiving business.

73. A system, comprising:

logic for executing a process;

wherein the logic for executing is adapted for being executed using a system capable of;

(i) executing an application capable of performing logic related to decision-making;

(ii) retrieving database information from a database in accordance with the logic;

(iii) receiving user information from a user in accordance with the logic utilizing a user interface; and

(iv) processing the database information and the user information utilizing the logic for generating output of the processing;

wherein one or more of (ii)-(iv) are carried out utilizing, at least in part, a decision platform capable of accomplishing the one or more of (ii)-(iv) for different purposes by executing different applications each capable of performing different logic;

logic that provides an interface between the application and the decision platform, such that the one or more of (ii)-(iv) are carried out utilizing, at least in part, universal modules capable of interfacing with the different applications which are adapted for applying the universal modules to different business sectors, the different applications including at least one application that is a real estate-related application, a medical-related application, a corporate-related application, a product supply-related application, a service supply-related application, or a financial-related application; and

the decision platform communicating with the application through an interface protocol.

74. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the business sectors include at least one of real estate, medicine, corporate, and financial.

75. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the decision platform includes a collaborative decision platform.

76. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the universal modules include at least one of a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

77. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the universal modules include a framing module.

78. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the universal modules include an alternatives module.

79. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the universal modules include an analysis module.

80. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the universal modules include a connection module.

81. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the universal modules include a framing module, an alternatives module, an analysis module, and a connection module.

82. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the process relates to customer relationship management.

83. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the interface protocol includes a standard interface protocol.

84. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein real-time decision making is provided.

85. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein data is collected for generating a decision hierarchy.

86. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein data is collected for generating an influence diagram.

87. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the system is further capable of delivering presentation information to the user in accordance with the logic utilizing the user interface.

88. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the decision platform includes an industry independent platform.

89. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a purchase agreement.

90. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the decision platform is utilized to negotiate a delivery agreement.

91. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one application is the corporate-related application.

92. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one application is the product supply-related application.

93. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one application is the service supply-related application.

94. The system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one application is the financial-related application.

95. The system as recited in claim 73, further comprising:

logic for receiving first information from a receiving entity;

logic for receiving second information regarding proposed products or services, wherein the second information is received from a supplying entity;

wherein the logic for executing the process is based on the first information and the second information;

wherein the logic for receiving the first information, receiving the second information, and executing is executed using the system.

96. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein the first information and the second information involve attributes that include at least one of price, sales, variable costs, fixed cost, and investment.

97. The system as recited in claim 95, the first information and the second information involve attributes that include at least one of market share, market size, labor cost, material cost, administrative cost, annual expenses, working capital, planning and equipment.

98. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein the first information and the second information are received utilizing a network.

99. The system as recited in claim 98, wherein the network is the Internet.

100. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein the decision process relates to which products or services is suitable for the receiving entity.

101. The system as recited in claim 100, wherein the products or services include products.

102. The system as recited in claim 101, wherein the products include non-existent products.

103. The system as recited in claim 101, wherein the products include existent products.

104. The system as recited in claim 100, wherein the products or services include services.

105. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein real-time collaborative decision making is provided between the receiving entity and the supplying entity.

106. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein the supplying entity provides alternatives in terms of an associated effect on the first information.

107. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein the supplying entity includes a supplying business.

108. The system as recited in claim 95, wherein the receiving entity includes a receiving business.