Large and complicated supply chain planning and scheduling (SCPS) problems often need to be decomposed into separate problems in order to be solved in a reasonable time frame. Different technologies are used for each of the problems: mathematical optimization (MIP) to solve the planning problem, and constraint programming (CP) to solve the scheduling problem. This results in two different models and introduces a degree of unreliable and expensive manual iteration. An ideal environment should solve the SCPS problem by merging mathematical optimization and constraint programming technologies into one modeling and programming framework, thus eliminating the iterative nature of the solution process. Vazacopoulos will explore how to combine these two technologies into one framework and automate this process. He will also discuss case studies from BASF, PSA Peugeot Citroën and Barbot where the technologies have been applied.

Alkis Vazacopoulos is the Director at Dash Optimization, Inc. where works closely with OEMs/ISVs in developing optimization solutions. He also does consulting work with Fortune 500 companies in the areas of finance, marketing optimization, data mining, supply chain, procurement and decision analytics. He attended Florida International University and received an MS in Management Information Systems. He then attended the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University. In 1994 he completed his PhD in Industrial Administration. Vazacopoulos worked as an Associate Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University from 1994 to 2001 and now has Adjunct Professor status. To keep in touch with academia, Vazacopoulos gives seminars at different universities including: University of Florida, Gainesville, Purdue University, University of Texas-Austin, University of Paris, Imperial College.

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