Seminar - University of Brescia (April 3rd, 2009)

Optimization Modeling with MPL

Maximal Software will be hosting a two-hour seminar, Optimization Modeling with MPL on April 3rd, 2009 in University of Brescia, Italy: covering a wide range of model formulation techniques, optimization applications, and recent trends and news in the optimisation industry. The purpose of the seminar is to provide participants with an insightful overview of the MPL language, and demonstrate how to build optimization applications using OptiMax.

Software Used
The workshop is designed to give the participants hands-on experience with industrial-strength optimization and modeling tools. The software used in the seminar will include:

MPL Modeling System and OptiMax from Maximal Software
CPLEX mixed integer solver from ILOG
GUROBI mixed integer solver from GUROBI
MOPS Solver from MOPS Optimierungssysteme
CoinMP open source solver from the Coin-OR project
CONOPT nonlinear solver from ARKI Consulting
LGO global solver for Pinter Consulting
Microsoft ACCESS and EXCEL

Benefits
The purpose of the seminar is to show how optimization models can be brought together into business applications. At the end of the seminar, the participants will know how to develop their own optimization models in MPL, link them to data sources and solve the models using state-of-the-art industrial-strength solvers. Participants will also acquire a good working knowledge on how to embed optimization models into applications.

By attending this seminar you will learn how to:

Identify the best use of optimization techniques & how to deploy them
Prepare and import data from different sources for optimization
Identify which solvers works best for your optimization problem
Gain a realistic view on the use of optimization for business
Build your own embedded optimization applications.

Location
The seminar will be 14:30-16:30 on April 3rd, 2009 at the Department of Quantitative Methods at University of Brescia (Room B3).

Seminar Schedule

Introduction to Optimization Modeling and Solving

History and development of the MPL Modeling System
Introducing the new Academic Program from Maximal
Current state-of-the-art in optimization and modeling

Formulation Optimization Models in MPL

Overview of Formulating MPL models
Various sample models described
Teaching optimization modeling
Advanced Indexing techniques

Connecting to Databases and Spreadsheets

Advanced data modeling techniques
Connecting MPL to Databases and Excel Spreadsheets
Speed and scalability issues for models with very large data sets

Embedding Optimization in Applications

Tools and methods for embedding optimization in applications
Demonstration of embedded optimization applications
Introduction to OptiMax Component Library with Excel VBA
Calling OptiMax from Visual Basic, C# and other languages
Optimization on the Internet and Web services

Recent News and Trends in Optimization

ILOG purchase by IBM
DASH purchase by Fair Isaac
New solver GUROBI
Microsoft Solver Foundation
Parallel Computing
Grids, Clouds, and Virtual Machines

Presenter

Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Ltd.

Bjarni Kristjansson is the president and founder of Maximal Software, a leading vendor of optimization modeling software. Maximal Software is the developer of the MPL Modeling System; an algebraic modeling language that allows the user to formulate complicated optimization models quickly and easily. Maximal Software also provides the OptiMax Component Library, which allows MPL models to be easily embedded into end-user applications. Bjarni Kristjansson has many years of practical experience providing innovative solutions, especially in regards to integrating optimization with wide range of information technologies and business applications.