In recent years, many times I have had to argue that the using Linear and Integer Linear Programming was not the most appropriate one to solve routing problems. This is not an absolute truth, although it is true that it makes quite a bit of sense as a general rule.
An Operational Research Consultant (ORC) is a professional dedicated to analysing and solving optimisation problems arising from the need to improve existing processes in practice. One of the key features of an ORC is his/her analytic capacity and the ability to create data models, …
Companies that need to procure large amounts of a certain product usually get what is known as sales volume discounts from the providers. Volume discounts establish an amount above which a discount is applied for any additional units bought, or for the total purchase.
One of the questions I get asked quite often from members of the Decide Operational Research Unit is: How is a Piecewise Linear Function (PWL) formulated so that it can be resolved with an Integer Linear Programming engine?
This is what I mean when I talk about optimisation: the application of software, mathematical or statistical techniques in automated decision-making. This is the work that Decide has been conducting in this area since it was founded.