Workshops Galore

Although today did not mark the official start of the 2011 Annual Meeting of INFORMS, I did receive some valuable information as I explored various OR/MS software platforms at the vendor workshops. My programming and modeling language background includes C++, Java, GAMS, and Microsoft Office/VBA. Because my research efforts have started delving into predictive modeling techniques, my objective at the vendor workshops was to learn about applicable software packages. Therefore, I decide to begin the day with the SAS Global Academic Program, where we learned about SAS Rapid Predictive Modeler. Following this, I checked out Maximal Software to discover more about MPL (an algebraic modeling language for optimization). Last, I ventured over to Frontline Systems to learn about XLMiner (for predictive modeling) and their Risk Solver Platform (optimization, simulation, and decision analysis). Each of the vendor workshops had something unique and useful to offer, so they were definitely worthwhile.

Well, time to get cozy with the pillows again to get some rest for Day 1 of the INFORMS conference. See you bright and early…