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MASA’s Approach to Optimization
In contrast to other players in the field, MASA is convinced that a generic, "off the shelf" tool, delivered as is, can only be applied to the most simple of problems.
Each problem is unique, therefore MASA has chosen to work in close collaboration with each of its clients in order to achieve a dedicated software solution, adapted to their specific needs. That way all of the peculiarities of the problem can be taken into account. The object is therefore not to find the optimum of an exaggerated or simplified problem as it generally results in a poor solution given the actual conditions.
MASA’s approach consists of building a precise and detailed model of their operational process, in conjunction with the client, and to combine this with the power of the BlueKaizen Optimization Kernel. A user interface is then developed, again according to the clients precise specifications, to provide a complete, bespoke optimization solution.
Only by doing this can the full benefits of applying optimization be realized.
BlueKaizen-Optimization
BlueKaizen is a suite of very powerful software tools designed to handle large-scale optimization problems, such as vehicle routing, personnel rostering, network balancing and project time-tabling. It is based upon state-of-the-art meta-heuristic search algorithms, including advanced evolutionary and stochastic methods as well as groundbreaking original techniques entirely developed in-house. The combination revolutionizes areas dominated up until now by classical methods of operational research that today have reached their limits.
The BlueKaizen Optimization Engine is a unique product in its capacity to generate:
Bespoke and operational solutions
BlueKaizen can be used in a large number of domains and does not impose constraints on the structure of the problem. It can thus take into account all of the parameters and all of the constraints defined by the operational end-users without losing performance or computation time. As a result, a decision support system built around BlueKaizen allows users to address the actual, real-life problem instead of an academic simplification of it.
Multi-Objective Optimization
It is not always possible or useful to specify a single criterion by which all potential solutions to a problem should be judged. Often many different aspects must be optimized at the same time, or a trade-off must be made between competing aspects. BlueKaizen offers the possibility to define these compromises and to treat different levels of performance with one solution.
Dynamic Flexibility
BlueKaizen permits integration of dynamic constraints and allows for event management through the handling of unpredicted events "on the fly" without the need for a costly re-planning process. This makes possible to interact with the optimization process, such as adding copy, real-time withholding or modification of objectives, data or operational constraints.
The Architecture
Thanks to an object-oriented implementation, BlueKaizen enables us to develop decision-support tools in record time (6 weeks to 6 months), for adapting it to operational needs with unequaled performance in terms of proposed optimized solutions.
The resulting application is composed of different modules that allow the user, in particular, to interact with the optimization process or use the simulation aspect to test manual solutions.
