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

• US 8,160,988 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2010
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• 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:
  US12/844,812
• Time in Patent Office: 630 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 method, comprising:

causing execution of a process that is related to decision-making associated with identification of one or more products or services that is suitable for a receiving entity, utilizing an 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;

receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes in association with the receiving entity;

receiving second information regarding the one or more products or services in terms of the plurality of attributes;

supporting the process that is related to the decision-making, utilizing the first information and the second information;

receiving third information that includes public information, wherein the third information is received from a source separate from the receiving entity and a supplying business, and relates to a value of at least one aspect of at least one of the one or more products or services and is related to a retrospective value creation for a plurality of customers, wherein the process that is related to the decision-making is further supported utilizing the third information; and

receiving fourth information from the receiving entity that relates to at least one aspect of at least one of the one or more products or services and is related to a retrospective value creation for the receiving entity;

wherein the method is supported by a system capable of displaying a plurality of web page interfaces that receive user input that frames the decision-making and that display output which indicates alternatives in connection with the decision-making, and allowing real-time collaborative decision-making between the receiving entity and the supplying business.

2. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of a process that is product supply-related and associated with identification of one or more products of a supplying business that is suitable for a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes in association with the receiving entity;

computer code for identifying second information regarding the one or more products in terms of the plurality of attributes;

computer code for supporting the process, utilizing the first information and the second information; and

computer code for receiving third information that includes public information for further supporting the process, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information is received from a source separate from the receiving entity and the supplying business, and relates to at least one of the one or more products and a retrospective value creation for a plurality of customers.

3. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the retrospective value creation includes a relative retrospective value creation.

4. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a series of dynamic webpages is utilized to collect decision-relevant input and output decision-relevant output to further support the process.

5. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a series of dynamic webpages is utilized to:

collect decision-relevant input including at least one boundary condition and values, and output decision-relevant output including alternatives, based on the at least one boundary condition and values, to further support the process.

6. The computer program product as recited in claim 5, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the at least one boundary condition involves price.

7. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a series of dynamic webpages is utilized to:

collect decision-relevant input including at least one boundary condition and values, and output decision-relevant output including alternatives and at least one potential hybrid theme, based on the at least one boundary condition and values, to further support the process.

8. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable to provide an ability to allow different people to input data into at least one display at different times, and from different places, in order to further support the process.

9. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of customers include customers of the supplying business.

10. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the identifying the second information includes receiving the second information.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of attributes include price.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first information is received utilizing the Internet.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of attributes are bundled.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for hierarchical expansion of multiple of the plurality of attributes.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the plurality of attributes includes price and relates to equipment.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the process includes a dialogue decision process.

17. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that a series of webpages is utilized to collect decision-relevant input and output decision-relevant output to further support the process, which is implemented utilizing software components including:

a first software component that is capable of being used to initialize the process,

a second software component that is capable of being used to develop decision-related alternatives in the process,

a third software component that is capable of being used to analyze the decision-related alternatives in the process, and

a fourth software component that is capable of being used to process the decision-related alternatives to develop a solution.

18. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the products include non-existent products.

19. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the products include existent products.

20. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first information regarding the plurality of attributes is capable of being entered by the receiving entity.

21. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information is utilized as a function of a user input.

22. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information relates to one or more of the plurality of attributes.

23. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information relates to a value of one or more of the plurality of attributes.

24. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the third information is utilized in association with a collaborative decision platform.

25. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for allowing the receiving entity to provide insight in association with the source.

26. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for allowing the receiving entity to provide insight in association with the source, in order to reduce risk associated with decision-making.

27. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for allowing the receiving entity to effect a modification in association with the third information of the source.

28. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for allowing the receiving entity to provide a confirmation in association with the source.

29. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for providing source information that specifies the source.

30. The computer program product as recited in claim 29, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the source information includes a directory.

31. The computer program product as recited in claim 29, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the source information includes at least one person'"'"'s name.

32. The computer program product as recited in claim 29, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the source information specifies a plurality of sources of the third information.

33. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, and further comprising computer code for causing display of at least one dynamic web page including a decision sensitivity display and a potential hybrid theme for further supporting the process.

34. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that real-time collaborative decision-making is provided between the receiving entity and the supplying business.

35. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the process is related to a business-to-business transaction.

36. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, further comprising computer code for negotiating a delivery agreement.

37. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the receiving entity includes a business entity.

38. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the process includes a process that supports decision-making.

39. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second information regarding the one or more products is received in association with a single supplying business.

40. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the second information regarding one or more products is received from a plurality of supplying businesses.

41. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first information and the second information are received at and processed by an intermediate entity that is separate from the supplying business and the receiving entity.

42. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer program product is operable such that real-time decision-making is supported.

43. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, and further comprising computer code for providing a delivery agreement.

44. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the computer program product includes a plurality of objects associated with an object-oriented programming language.

45. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, and further comprising computer code for causing display of a web page including a decision sensitivity display for further supporting the process.

46. The computer program product as recited in claim 2, and further comprising computer code for causing display of a web page including a potential hybrid theme for further supporting the process.

47. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of a process that is product supply-related and associated with identification of one or more products of a supplying business that is suitable for a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes in association with the receiving entity;

computer code for identifying second information regarding the one or more products in terms of the plurality of attributes;

computer code for supporting the process, utilizing the first information and the second information;

computer code for receiving third information that includes public information from a source separate from the receiving entity and the supplying business, and relates to a relative value associated with at least one of the one or more products, to identify a retrospective value creation for a plurality of customers, in connection with prospective value creation measurement for at least one customer, for further supporting the process;

computer code for displaying a plurality of dynamic web page interfaces that receive input that frames decision-making and display output that indicates alternatives associated with the decision-making, in connection with a purchase and delivery agreement, for further supporting the process;

computer code for allowing real-time collaborative decision-making between the receiving entity and the supplying business; and

computer code for allowing different people to input data into at least one display at different times, and from different places, in order to further support the process.

48. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of a process that is product supply-related and associated with identification of one or more products of a supplying business that is suitable for a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes in association with the receiving entity;

computer code for identifying second information regarding the one or more products in terms of the plurality of attributes;

computer code for supporting the process, utilizing the first information and the second information;

computer code for receiving third information that includes public information from a source separate from the receiving entity and the supplying business, and relates to a relative value associated with at least one of the one or more products, to identify a retrospective value creation for a plurality of customers, in connection with prospective value creation measurement for at least one customer, for further supporting the process;

computer code for receiving fourth information from the receiving entity that relates to at least one aspect of at least one of the one or more products and a retrospective value creation for the receiving entity;

computer code for displaying a plurality of dynamic web page interfaces that receive input that frames decision-making and display output that indicates alternatives associated with the decision-making, in connection with a purchase and delivery agreement;

computer code for allowing real-time collaborative decision-making between the receiving entity and the supplying business;

computer code for allowing different people to input data into at least one display at different times, and from different places, in order to further support the process; and

computer code for causing display of a web page including a decision sensitivity display for further supporting the process.

49. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of a process that is related to decision-making associated with identification of one or more products of a supplying business that is suitable for a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes in association with the receiving entity;

computer code for identifying second information regarding the one or more products in terms of the plurality of attributes;

computer code for supporting the process that is related to the decision-making, utilizing the first information and the second information;

computer code for causing display of a first interface that allows the receiving entity to provide first input indicative of a boundary condition that is related to the decision-making, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the boundary condition is capable of being modified;

computer code for causing display of a second interface that allows the receiving entity to provide second input indicative of aspects that is related to the decision-making, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the aspects are capable of being modified;

computer code for causing display of a third interface that displays a plurality of alternatives that include alternate choices, based, at least in part, on the boundary condition and the aspects;

computer code for causing display of a fourth interface that displays relative value associated with each of the plurality of alternatives;

computer code for receiving third information that includes public information from a source separate from the receiving entity and the supplying business, and relates to a relative value associated with at least one of the one or more products, to identify a retrospective value creation for a plurality of customers, in connection with prospective value creation measurement for at least one customer;

computer code for receiving fourth information from the receiving entity that relates to at least one aspect of at least one of the one or more products and a retrospective value creation for the receiving entity;

computer code for providing source information that specifies at least one of the sources, the source information including at least one person identifier; and

computer code for allowing the receiving entity to provide third input in association with at least one of the sources, the third input including a confirmation;

wherein the computer program product is operable to provide an ability to allow different people to input data into at least one display at different times, and from different places, in order to further support the process;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first interface, the second interface, the third interface, and the fourth interface include dynamic web pages.

50. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of a process that is related to decision-making associated with identification of one or more products of a supplying business that is suitable for a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes in association with the receiving entity;

computer code for identifying second information regarding the one or more products in terms of the plurality of attributes;

computer code for supporting the process that is related to the decision-making, utilizing the first information and the second information;

computer code for causing display of a first interface that allows a user to provide first input indicative of a boundary condition that is related to the decision-making, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the boundary condition is capable of being modified;

computer code for causing display of a second interface that allows the user to provide second input indicative of aspects related to the decision-making, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the aspects are capable of being modified;

computer code for causing display of a third interface that displays a plurality of alternatives that include alternate choices, based, at least in part, on the boundary condition and the aspects;

computer code for causing display of a fourth interface that displays relative value associated with each of the plurality of alternatives;

computer code for receiving third information that includes public information from a source separate from the receiving entity and the supplying business, and relates to a value associated with at least one of the one or more products, for further supporting the process;

computer code for providing source information that specifies the source, the source information including at least one person identifier;

computer code for allowing the user to provide third input in association with the third information such that the third information is utilized as a function of the third input; and

computer code for allowing the user to provide insight in association with the source;

wherein the computer program product is operable to provide an ability to allow different people to input data into at least one display at different times, and from different places, in order to further support the process that is related to the decision-making;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first interface, the second interface, the third interface, and the fourth interface include dynamic web pages.

51. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for causing execution of a process that is related to decision-making associated with identification of one or more products of a supplying business that is suitable for a receiving entity;

computer code for receiving first information regarding a plurality of attributes;

computer code for identifying second information regarding the one or more products;

computer code for supporting the process that is related to the decision-making, utilizing the first information and the second information;

computer code for causing display of a first interface that allows a user to provide first input indicative of a boundary condition that is related to the decision-making, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the boundary condition is capable of being modified;

computer code for causing display of a second interface that allows the user to provide second input indicative of aspects related to the decision-making, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the aspects are capable of being modified;

computer code for causing display of a third interface that displays a plurality of alternatives that include alternate choices, based, at least in part, on the boundary condition and the aspects;

computer code for causing display of a fourth interface that displays relative value associated with each of the plurality of alternatives;

computer code for receiving third information that includes public information from a source separate from the receiving entity and the supplying business, and relates to a relative value associated with at least one of the one or more products, to identify a retrospective value creation for a plurality of customers, in connection with prospective value creation measurement for at least one customer, for further supporting the process;

computer code for receiving fourth information from the receiving entity that relates to a retrospective value creation for the receiving entity, for further supporting the process;

computer code for providing source information that specifies the source, the source information including at least one person identifier; and

computer code for allowing the user to provide insight in association with the source;

wherein the computer program product is operable to provide an ability to allow different people to input data into at least one display at different times, and from different places, in order to further support the process that is related to the decision-making;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first interface, the second interface, the third interface, and the fourth interface include dynamic web pages.