Applying Science to the Art of Business April 17-19, 2005; Westin Mission Hills Resort; Palm Springs, California
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Pre-Conference Workshop



I love this conference and
come every year. I always derive
tremendous value from it.
-Hena Bar Manager
Supply Chain Analysis
BellSouth Corp

Pre-Conference Workshops
Sunday, April 17

There is no charge for these workshops if you register for the INFORMS Conference. Sign up when you register for the conference. If you already registered for the conference and want to add a workshop(s), call Lynn Murray, 800-343-0062, x200.

Dash Optimization, Inc.
8:00am-12:00pm
Fast Track Optimization Modeling using Xpress-MP

This workshop will provide participants with an insight into new modeling and optimization techniques, and first-hand accounts of leading business practitioners on how they are currently using optimization to solve practical problems. This workshop will feature modeling experts from Dash Optimization and Dash Optimization customers.

The presentations from Dash Optimization will be technical in nature, focusing on modeling with Mosel, Xpress-MP Parallel advancements for MIP and Barrier, and our new product Xpress Application Developer for developing complete optimization applications. In the presentations from Dash customers, Sports Scheduling, including examples from the NFL and other major sports leagues, and Stochastic Modeling (modeling under uncertainty) for Supply Chain Optimization will be featured.

For more information please visit: http://www.dashoptimization.com/home/services/news/news_palmsprings.html

Frontline Systems, Inc.
8:00am-12:00pm
Developing and Deploying Optimization-Based Applications for Windows

This workshop, for analysts/developers and managers, will take you step by step through the process of planning, developing and deploying optimization-based applications, for desktop, Intranet and Web server use, with Microsoft Windows, .NET, COM, and database technologies. Learn how easy it can be, with an exclusive first showing of our Solver Platform SDK that simplifies application development and opens up your choices. We'll cover technical approaches, project planning, software licensing, support, and other business issues. Notebook PCs are encouraged but not required. Attendees will receive CDs with extended-term evaluation software and examples in Visual Basic, VB.NET, C#, C/C++ and Java.

For more information please visi:t http://www.solver.com/sdkworkshop.htm.

LINDO Systems, Inc.
8:00am-12:00pm
Applications with LINGO, What’sBest and the LINDO API

We briefly mention the latest features in the LINGO modeling language, What’sBest spreadsheet optimizer, and the LINDO API optimization library; but we will spend most of the time describing lessons learned in applying these tools to various classes of problems in business and industry. The application areas include: auctions and choosing a unique solution when there are alternate optima, mining and other multi-period planning problems with precedence constraints among projects, planning in the face of uncertain demand and prices, cutting stock problems in paper and steel, financial applications including bond portfolio design, and applying second order cone constraints to portfolio design and statistics.


AMPL Optimization LLC
1:00pm-5:00pm
Linear and Stochastic Programming using AMPL and Its Extensions

Cormac Lucas (CARISMA/Brunel University and OptiRisk Systems) and Robert Fourer (Northwestern University and AMPL Optimization LLC) will present a half-day workshop on optimization modeling with AMPL and AMPL Studio. 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 workshop will conclude with 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.

ILOG, Inc.
1:00pm-6:00pm
ILOG Optimization Technologies Workshop - Presenting Breakthrough New Advancements and Products

The workshop will begin with a panel discussion on making an optimization application that truly benefits the end user. Join a discussion that features panelists from American Airlines, Hewlett Packard and Intel, and learn how to avoid the trap of the perfect model that never gets used. Next, we will introduce two new breakthrough products from ILOG - the ILOG Optimization Decision Manager and the ILOG Business Optimization Management System. This will be followed by an introduction to the major advancements in the new release of ILOG OPL Development Studio, version 4.0. We will also present a segment on ILOG CPLEX, the recipient of the INFORMS Impact Award, to discuss what sets CPLEX apart from the others and what you should know about it. The workshop is completed with a presentation on ILOG Transport Power Ops - a new “user directed” optimization application for transportation planning. For more information, go to: www.ilog.com/workshops/palmsprings

Maximal Software, Inc.
1:00pm-6:00pm
Optimization Modeling with MPL: Integrating Optimization in Real-World Business Applications

Maximal Software will be hosting a half-day workshop on optimization modeling and how to embed optimization models into applications. The workshop 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, Bjarni Kristjansson, Maximal Software and Dr. Gene Ramsay, Profit Point, have decades of experience in the field. They 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. For more information please go to: www.maximalsoftware.com/seminar/PalmSpringsApr05

Paragon Decision Technology BV
1:00pm-5:00pm
Optimization Modeling in AIMMS – Creating Real-life Applications

In this half-day workshop presented by Koos Heerink , AIMMS Modeling Consultant and Developer, and Peter Nieuwesteeg, AIMMS Modeling Consultant, we will introduce you to AIMMS by running through a small illustrative AIMMS application, and by working on a typical industry case that requires modeling, data manipulation, optimization techniques, and graphical user interface (GUI) development. At the end of the workshop, you should be able to get started with building your own application in AIMMS. The presented information forms the basis of what is required to create real-life applications in any business or industry.

Materials will be available, and include a personal copy of AIMMS to get started right away. Registration is free for conference attendees. To register, check the workshop box on the registration form or contact us directly at workshops@paragon.nl. Go to www.aimms.com for more information and a free trial copy of AIMMS.