I briefly read the patent application, and I notice that it doesn't seem to mention if the model includes back-testing / accuracy measurements. Hmmm.
BTW: Rumor is that IBM has a massive supercomputing grid running a secret AI application called "Blue Patent Shoes" that automatically generates process / methods patents. On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 12:17 PM, Ed Gould <[email protected]> wrote: > > http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9130750&source=NLT_PM > (watch the wrap) > > March 30, 2009 (Computerworld) IBM last week filed a patent application for > an offshore outsourcing methodology that is intended to help companies > minimize the financial risks associated with sending work overseas. > > The patent application describes a computer-driven approach for putting > values on both the quantitative and qualitative attributes of a "global > resource sourcing strategy." For instance, the methodology takes into > account the language skills and morale of offshore workers, as well as a > list of the hard numbers involved in setting up an offshore operation, > including labor rates and currency valuations. > > In short, IBM is attempting to reduce offshoring considerations to a > mathematic model — or, in the words of the application, "a robust and > reusable sourcing template" for identifying and analyzing "global resource > pools." > > For IBM itself, the patent filing couldn't be any timelier. The company > submitted the application to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office last > Thursday, the same day it confirmed that it is eliminating more jobs in its > North American operations. > > IBM didn't disclose any details about the planned cutbacks, but > allia...@ibm, a union local that isn't recognized as an official > bargaining unit, has said it expects between 4,000 and 5,000 workers to be > let go. The union thinks the cuts are part of a plan by IBM to send more > jobs overseas, following an earlier round of reductions in January. > > In the patent application, IBM said the described methodology "allows > decision-makers to conveniently trade off one or more qualitatively defined > levels between one or more factors in terms of quantifiable, direct, costs." > > The methodology also looks at some scary assumptions as part of its > mathematical models — scary, that is, if you're a U.S.-based IT worker. In a > hypothetical assessment, the application sets up an example that includes a > company having "50% of resources in China by 2010." > > Here's an example of the specific metrics that the methodology takes into > account: > > Suppose that employees hired in country A possess level 1 communication > skills, while employees in country B possess level 2 skills. > Additionally, suppose that the job satisfaction of employees hired in > country A is rated to be at level 2, while that of employees hired in > country B is rated at level 1. In this case, a lower score implies higher > job satisfaction. > Since communication skill levels and job satisfaction levels can't be > directly compared, it's useful to quantify in terms of cost the differences > between the levels, both within the same factor and across different ones. > The patent application explains why IBM thinks it's important to look at a > broad range of variables when making global sourcing decisions. By simply > looking at wages and material costs, "the organization may indirectly > increase other costs such as those associated with poorer quality workers > and/or materials," IBM said. That could include loss of customers, lower > productivity, increased product returns and higher worker attrition, the > company said, adding that a company "needs to consider both direct and > indirect costs associated with its resources." > > This isn't the first time that IBM has filed for a patent related to an > offshoring methodology. An application filed in 2007 described a > software-driven approach "for identifying at least a portion of a > human-resource within an organization for outsourcing." > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > send email to [email protected] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO > Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
