Performance prediction service using business-process information

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.

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.