Optimizing Business Applications

Workshop - INFORMS Analytics Conference San Antonio (April 7th, 2013)



Deploying MPL Optimization Models on Servers and Mobile Platforms


Maximal Software will be hosting a three-hour workshop, Deploying MPL Optimization Models on Servers and Mobile Platforms, on Sunday April 7th, 2013, before the INFORMS Conference on Business Analytics and Operations Research in San Antonio, Texas. The purpose of the workshop is to provide participants with an insightful overview and give step-by-step instructions for successfully building optimization applications.

The speaker for the workshop, Bjarni Kristjansson has decades of experience in the optimization field. He will take you through all the steps of an optimization project using optimization software tools from Maximal Software, IBM-ILOG, GUROBI, COIN, Ziena Optimization, ARKI Consulting, and Pinter Consulting.

The workshop foucuses on optimization modeling and how to embed optimization models into end-user applications. It is designed to teach participants how to develop their own optimization models, connecting them to data sources, and solve the models using state-of-art, industrial strength solvers. The speakers will take you through all the steps of implementing O.R. projects using Optimization software tools from Maximal Software, IBM-ILOG and GUROBI. Participants will leave with an excellent overview of optimization modeling and a good working knowledge of how to successfully build optimization applications. In the second part of the workshop, we will demonstrate the new "MPL for Python", a scripting and library interface for the MPL Modeling Language that takes full advantage of the many powerful features of Python. We will be introducing as well several new special programs by Maximal Software, where we are now giving away FREE development copies of our MPL software.

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 workshop will include:

  • MPL Modeling System and OptiMax Component Library from Maximal Software
  • CPLEX mixed integer solver from IBM-ILOG
  • GUROBI mixed integer solver from GUROBI Optimization
  • CoinMP open-source solver from the Coin-OR project
  • Microsoft ACCESS and EXCEL
  • Python scripting language
  • CSharp, Visual Basic.NET and ASP.NET

Benefits
The purpose of the workshop is to show how optimization models can be brought together into business applications. At the end of the workshop, the participants will be able to develop their own optimization models, 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 workshop 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.

Each registered participant will receive a full perpetual development copy of MPL for FREE!

Attendance is Free for registered conference participants. To register, please send an email to info@maximalsoftware.com with your full contact information. We also accept walk-ins on-site without prior registration.

Workshop Schedule - Deploying MPL Optimization Models

11:00 - 11:10 Introduction to Maximal Software

  • History and development of the MPL Modeling System
  • Current state-of-the-art in optimization and modeling

11:10 - 11:20 The New MPL Free Development and Academic Programs

  • Current pricing models for optimization oftware
  • Introducing the MPL free development/academic programs
  • MPL Free programs comparison chart

11:20 - 11:40 Formulating and Solving Optimization Models in MPL

  • Overview of formulating models in the MPL Modeling Language
  • Various MPL sample models described
  • Solving models with CPLEX, GUROBI, CoinMP, CONOPT, KNITRO, and LGO
  • Advanced indexing techniques
  • Formulating logical conditions with binary variables

11:40 - 11:50 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

11:50 - 12:10 Embedding Optimization in Applications

  • Tools and methods for embedding optimization in applications
  • Introduction to MPL OptiMax for Visual Basic, CSharp, Python and Matlab
  • Writing GUI Optimization Applications in CSharp

12:10 - 12:30 Running MPL models with Python

  • Using the Python Command Language Interface (IDLE)
  • Introducing the new MPL for Python
  • Using the NumPy, SciPy, and MatPlotLib libraries with MPL
  • Writing Optimization Applications in Python (Tkinter, Wx) and C#
  • Optimization on the Internet with Python

12:30 - 12:40 Deploying Optimization on Servers

  • Multi-Threaded support for MPL OptiMax Servers
  • Connecting MPL OptiMax with Web API's and Web Services
  • Deploying Optimization on mobile/tablet computers

12:40 - 12:50 Discussion and Questions (optional)

  • Bring your own problem to discuss with the workshop presenters
  • Fill out the application form to receive the free full-size copy of MPL

Workshop Presenter

Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software, Inc.

Bjarni Kristjansson is the president and founder of Maximal Software, Inc., 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. Bjarni Kristjansson has served as the treasurer for the Icelandic ICORS and the INFORMS Computing Society, and was one of the main organizers for the EURO 2006 Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland. He has also served on the COIN Strategic Leadership Board, as the ICS Secretary, and as the Vice President 3 (Practice) of EURO.