Pre-conference technology workshops

There is no charge for these workshops if you register for the INFORMS Conference. Sign up when you register for the conference. Workshops are offered in three time slots: 9:00am-12:00pm, 12:00pm-3:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm – choose only one workshop for each session. If you already registered for the conference and want to add any workshops, call 800-343-0062, x203.

9:00am-12:00pm Workshops

AIMMS- Paragon Decision Technology
AIMMS as the Tool Behind Your Solution
Presented by Ximena Karlsson, AIMMS Specialist, and Vijay Hanagandi, CTO, Applied Optimization, LLC. The first half of the session is geared toward the developer, and consists of a number of consecutive demos that step through the creation of a complete AIMMS application, highlighting a variety of AIMMS features. The latter half will cover the practical side of implementing optimization-based applications. Applied Optimization (AIMMS Service Partner) will share experiences in advanced deployment concepts from which they and their customers have benefited using AIMMS. Benefits include ease of maintenance, corporate data security, leveraging investments (hardware/software) and GUI flexibility. All demonstrated through a client/server application demo using AIMMS’ Web Services technology. The participant will leave with a thorough understanding of AIMMS and state-of-the-art deployment options.

Demand Works
A Wholesome Approach to Demand Management
Spreadsheets are a breakthrough technology and they’re one of the most essential tools that business planners have to work with, but are they over-used? During this workshop, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of using spreadsheets for demand management. We will also suggest a “wholesome” new approach to tackling demand anticipation issues in manufacturing and distribution. Attendees will receive instruction on how to prepare data for a model, model creation, configuration and use. Attendees are encouraged to bring sample demand history data (and optionally, inventory data), and representatives of qualifying organizations may receive a free 30-day software trail. Topics will include:
• Why businesses plan for demand
• Key differences between forecasting and demand planning
• Methodological differences between tactical and strategic forecasting
• How opinions, promotions and other reference information can be leveraged
• Buffer stock policies: Where probabilities fit in to the tactical execution process
• How to get nearly immediate results and avoid falling prey to the IT project queue

Maximal Software, Inc.
Optimization Modeling with MPL: Integrating Optimization in Real-World Business Applications
The workshop focuses on optimization modeling and how to embed optimization models into applications. It is designed to teach the participants how to develop their own optimization models, link them to data sources and solve the models using state-of-the-art, industrial strength solvers. The speakers will take you through all the steps of an optimization project using optimization software tools from Maximal Software, ILOG and ARKI Consulting. Participants will leave with an excellent overview of optimization modeling and a good working knowledge of how to successfully build optimization applications.

12:00pm-3:00pm Workshops

Fair Isaac
Fast Track Optimization Modeling Using Xpress-MP
This workshop will provide participants with insight into new modeling and optimization techniques, and first-hand accounts from leading business practitioners on how they are currently using optimization to solve practical problems. The workshop will be divided into two sessions. Modeling experts from Fair Isaac will present the first session, which will be technical in nature, touching on novel ways of modeling existing business problems using linear, mixed integer and quadratic programming techniques. Xpress-MP users will present the second session, which will focus on business applications of Xpress-MP, including demonstrations on how to use Xpress-MP to optimize business processes and make smarter decisions.

ILOG, Inc.
The ILOG Optimization Decision Manager (ODM) Hands-On Experience
Join Dr. Irv Lustig for this interactive hands-on workshop where attendees will build their own state-of-the-art decision support applications leveraging CPLEX to solve complex problems ranging from real-time scheduling to long-term strategic planning. The focus of the day will be the ILOG Optimization Decision Manager (ODM). ILOG ODM provides a framework for business users to interact with optimization models. It also serves as a useful tool for operations research professionals to gain insight into OPL models during the optimization model development process.

Innovative Scheduling
Solving Complex Scheduling Problems through Decomposition and Network Flows
In the past few years, we have had considerable success in solving some very large-scale and complex planning and scheduling problems arising in the field of logistics and transportation. In this interactive three-hour workshop, we will take some of these applications and explain how we modeled these problems, decomposed into smaller problems, and used innovative network flow techniques to solve the overall problem. We will also describe how to package these applications into decision support systems to that they can be used by non-experts in operations research. We invite students, academicians, as well as practitioners to attend the workshop, and will ensure that it is an invaluable learning experience for them. Boxed lunch will be provided to all the attendees.

Salford Systems
Practical Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
Recent advances in data mining technology facilitate the rapid development of highly accurate models for prediction, function approximation, and the extraction of insight into complex data structures. We begin with a brief overview of the CART® decision tree for classification models and lead into new features of CART that automate much of the process of model discovery. The workshop also explores how multiple models (learning ensembles and boosting, TreeNet®, Random Forests®) can yield extraordinary results with minimal effort even when working with flawed, dirty and incomplete data. Real world examples cover both classification (yes/no) and regression (continuous outcomes).

Ziena Optimization
Nonlinear Modeling for Better Results
Discover new ways to improve performance and results using nonlinear optimization modeling. Leading technologies KNITRO and AIMMS are used in this live demonstration to reveal significant performance improvements and results. You will gain insight as to why Fortune 100 companies have been shifting toward nonlinear modeling.

3:00pm-6:00pm Workshops

AMPL Optimization
Software Tools and Components: Linear, Nonlinear and Stochastic Programming Using AMPL and Its Extensions
In the first part of this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of how to use the AMPL modeling language to formulate problems, to test algorithmic approaches and to implement decision support systems. The AMPL Studio user interface, modeling syntax and solver controls will be demonstrated, along with important aspects of linear and integer optimization models. The remainder of the workshop will provide a demonstration of introducing uncertainty into an optimization model and using risk constraints and risk decisions to enhance model formulations. The SAMPL stochastic extensions to AMPL and the SPInE stochastic modeling environment will be illustrated, using an asset and liability management problem as an example.

Frontline Systems, Inc.
Optimal Decisions for Uncertain Models: Robust Optimization, Stochastic Programming,
and Simulation Optimization Made Easy
Attend this workshop to learn about a genuine breakthrough: software tools that make it easy to allocate scarce resources in the presence of uncertainty – the sine qua non of business decisions. Powerful technologies such as robust optimization, stochastic programming and simulation optimization (that formerly required expert consulting to use) are now available in one unified, easy-to-use framework in Microsoft Excel. Learn how Monte Carlo simulation supports stochastic programming and robust optimization, in our integrated framework, to optimize models far beyond the reach of simulation optimization. You’ll come away with a real understanding of which technology to use for a given problem – plus powerful tools to actually solve that problem.

ILOG, Inc.
The ILOG Optimization Decision Manager (ODM) Hands-On Experience
Join Dr. Irv Lustig for this interactive hands-on workshop where attendees will build their own state-of-the-art decision support applications leveraging CPLEX to solve complex problems ranging from real-time scheduling to long-term strategic planning. The focus of the day will be the ILOG Optimization Decision Manager (ODM). ILOG ODM provides a framework for business users to interact with optimization models. It also serves as a useful tool for operations research professionals to gain insight into OPL models during the optimization model development process.

LINDO Systems, Inc.
Designing and Implementing Multi-Model Optimization Planning Systems
For many applications, you need to solve two or more models to produce a plan. We will illustrate how to do this in a variety of settings, starting with simple parametric analysis in financial models and sales territory design, to more complex scenario analysis under uncertainty in transmission pipeline management. We next show how to coordinate the use of two or more different models in solving cutting stock problems, and choosing among alternative optima in an auction market. All of these are illustrated using the latest features in the LINGO and What'sBest optimizers.

SAS
Building and Solving Optimization Models with OPTMODEL
In this workshop presented by Rob Pratt and Ivan Oliveira (SAS/OR R&D) and Ed Hughes, Product Manager (SAS/OR) we’ll explore the versatile capabilities of OPTMODEL, the SAS optimization modeling language. OPTMODEL combines power and accessibility, integrated into the SAS programming language. OPTMODEL makes it easy for you to build, use, maintain and update a wide range of optimization models. OPTMODEL also integrates with SAS data handling, analytical (statistics, forecasting, data mining, etc.) and reporting capabilities, enabling you to coordinate optimization work with these supporting and follow-on activities. We’ll also demonstrate how OPTMODEL can be used with the SAS business intelligence framework and JMP (a SAS product) to create business user interfaces that can be indispensable in optimization model deployment.