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This meeting will have a lot to offer for people interested in optimization and modeling software and use of new graphical user interfaces. Here is a list of sessions during the meeting that cover interesting topics:
Chair: Robert Fourer, Dept. of Industrial Eng. and Mgmt. Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3119
A new version of MPL takes advantage of open systems and multitasking to provide direct links to solvers and databases, and to create a complete model development environment within a Graphical User Interface. This presentation will discuss the current and future impact of state-of-the-art graphical interfaces upon optimization modeling.
Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc.
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201
We describe recent developments in the graphical interface of the MIMI (Manager for Interactive Modeling Interfaces) system. We also present current industrial experience with graph-based modeling in planning and scheduling applications.
Thomas E. Baker, Chesapeake Decision Sciences, Inc.
200 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974
We consider the linkage between index sets of an algebraic modeling language for optimization and the graphical objects in an interactive report. Forward and reverse links with floating indices, as well as the link between models and GANTT charts, will be illustrated with the use of the AIMMS modeling system.
J.J. Bisschop and R. Stegeman, Paragon Decision Technology B.V.
P.O. Box 3277, 2001 DG Haarlem, The Netherlands
Algebraic modeling languages and graphical user interfaces are both well accepted by the users of mathematical programming systems. There are many approaches to bringing them together. We contrast some of the most appealing designs, using the AMPL language for illustration.
Robert Fourer, Northwestern University
Dept. of Ind. Eng. and Mgmt. Sci., Evanston, IL 60208-3119
David M. Gay, Brian W. Kernighan
AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ 07974
Co-Sponsor: Computer Science Technical Section
Chairman: William R. Stewart, Jr., College of William & Mary, School of Business, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
As a counterpart to the preceding sessions's talks on the current state of the art in graphical interfaces for optimization software, this session will turn an eye toward the future. After short opening statements by panel members, the floor will be opened for questions and discussion.
Panelists:
Christopher V. Jones, Simon Fraser University
Faculty of Business Administration, Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
John C. Stone, Primal Solutions
124 University Avenue, Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc.
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201
Thomas E. Baker, Chesapeake Decision Sciences, Inc.
200 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974
J.J. Bisschop, Paragon Decision Technology B.V.
P.O. Box 3277, 2001 DG Haarlem, The Netherlands
Robert Fourer, Northwestern University
Dept. of Ind. Eng. and Mgmt. Sci., Evanston, IL 60208-3119
Chairman: Henry S. Weigel, Dept. of Energy, Energy Info Administration, EI-60, 1000 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20585
Speakers:
Thomas E. Baker, Chesapeake Decision Sciences, Inc.
200 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974
B. Ashford, DASH Associates
Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc.
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201
A. Fenaroli, IBM
K. Spielberg
Chairman: Henry S. Weigel, Dept. of Energy, Energy Info Administration, EI-60, 1000 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20585
Speakers:
Joe Creegan, Ketron Management Sciences, Inc.
1715 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 602, Arlington, VA 22202
G. MacDonald, Haverley Systems
George Wilson, IBM Corporation
Alexander Meerhaus, GAMS Development Corporation
Co-Sponsor: Computer Science Technical Section
Chairman: William R. Stewart, Jr., College of William & Mary, School of Business, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Modeling languages offer an extremely powerful and efficient means for expressing models. Spreadsheets offer a very flexible and familiar modeling environment for building applications. Advancements in both areas are making it easier than ever to quickly build complex mathematical models. We will debate the advantages unique to these two environments.
Tom Baker, Chesapeake Decision Sciences,Inc
200 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974
The user’s view of a model is often through the data. This data table editor uses familiar Windows and spreadsheet paradigms to create, view, and update tables in the MPSIII model database.
Joe Creegan, Ketron Management Science
1725 Jefferson Davis Highway, #602, Arlington, VA 22202
Co-Sponsor: Computer Science Technical Section
Chairman: Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc., 2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201
We will be demonstrating LINDO Systems’ family of popular mathematical modeling packages for Windows including: a new release of LINDO -- our linear and integer programming engine, a new release of LINGO -- our integrated modeling language with linear/nonlinear solvers, and What’s Best! -- our large scale linear/nonlinear spreadsheet solver.
Linus Schrage, Lindo Systems, Inc.
1415 North Dayton Street, Chicago, IL 60622
We will demonstrate MPL for Windows with the new CPLEX Windows DLL. The tight integration of MPL and CPLEX allows users to transparently access CPLEX solution algorithms directly from MPL’s pull-down menus and set options in user-friendly dialog boxes. We will also demonstrate how MPL for Windows can link directly with relational databases such as Paradox, Oracle, FoxPro, and Dbase. Special emphases will be given to what effect this can have on formulating large industrial models.
Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc.
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201
Co-Sponsor: Computer Science Technical Section
Chairman: William R. Stewart, Jr., College of William & Mary, School of Business, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
The CPLEX Callable Library is used to develop powerful customized applications that solve linear and mixed integer programming models. The ease of application development using the CPLEX Callable Library will be demonstrated, as well as the flexibility and full range of features included in this complete math programming software system.
Irv Lustig, CPLEX Optimization, Inc.
The IBM Optimization Subroutine Library (OSL) provides industrial strength solvers for LP, QP, MIP, and network programming problems, plus tools for parametric and sensitivity analyses. OSL is available for a wide variety of computing platforms including workstations and PC’s. OSL for PC’s will be demonstrated in several operating environments: OS/2 2.1, Windows 3.1, and Windows NT/2000.
Dr. Thong Vukhac, Optimization Software Development Group
IBM Corporation, Kingston, NY
Co-Sponsor: Computer Science Technical Section
Chairman: Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc., 2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201
Dan Fylstra, Frontline Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 4288, Incline Village, NV 89450
Easy of use and flexibility are but one of the many features of the XA DLL Solver Library. Custom applications using EXCEL, FOXPRO, ACCESS, Visual Basic, C/C++, FORTRAN, MPL, GAMS, AMPL, and monte carlo simulation will be demonstrated.
Jim Byer, Sunset Software Technology
The software exhibit will be located in the Pasadena Room on Level One of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Software, hardware, and reference material will be displayed by numerous vendors. Come in to browse through the most recent OR/MS educational materials, to see demonstrations of new and developing technology and to enjoy a cup of coffee during the following hours:
Sunday, April 23 1:00pm - 5:00pm Monday, April 24 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday, April 25 9:00am - 5:00pm Wednesday, April 26 9:00am - 12noon
We will be demonstrating througout the conference the new MPL Modeling System for Windows and Macintosh. This new version of MPL implements a complete model development environment within the Graphical User Interface. We will also be demonstrating the new Windows DLL solver from CPLEX, as well as how to connect to relational databases, such as Paradox, FoxPro, and DBase.