OptAB – An Application Builder for Optimisation

An optimisation model on its own is a powerful engine without a vehicle. An optimisation application needs a local data store in order that:

Imported data can be reviewed and corrected before use

Local data can be maintained

The solution can be validated and adjusted before release to the business

What-if scenarios can be explored and compared

The optimisation process is insulated from network and corporate database outages.

Moreover, the application needs:

An efficient data interface to corporate data stores for import and export

A user interface that provides intuitive navigation through the process

A data analysis capability including filtering, aggregation, pivoting and charting under user control

The ability to add sophisticated graphics to present the most complex data in a compelling way.

Traditional solutions to these requirements range from the use of a spreadsheet to the development of a fully custom application.  Spreadsheets do not manage large quantities of data well, are easily broken by accident or by changes in data, and are usually only fully understood by their developer.  A purchased product will generally solve a problem well – but not your problem.  Custom applications are expensive and time-consuming to develop, and once developed are hard to change.

OptAB provides an alternative to cheap and unreliable versus expensive and inflexible.

For the user, OptAB offers:

A fully-fledged optimisation application based on Microsoft Access® 2003-2013 and Xpress-MP ™FICO Version 7.0 onwards (licensed separately)

Explorer-style menu to access all user functions

Import from and export to text files, XML, Microsoft Excel® spreadsheets and ODBC data sources

Handling of complex time period definitions

Data viewing and editing via Access datasheets, pivot tables and pivot charts

Background solve with continuous log messaging

Management of data and solution versions

Context-driven help in every form.

Click for more details and screenshots of the user interface.

For the model developer, OptAB offers:

No coding or form design required to deliver a complete application

Guided customisation via designer forms in the user interface

Automatic generation of data structures with enforced data integrity rules

Automatic generation of the user interface

Easily-configured parameter and data interface to Xpress-Mosel

Freedom to fully customise help messages

Freedom to add new forms and to integrate additional VBA code

Powerful generated object model for programmatic access to your data

Object model for the development of dynamic and interactive graphics within Access forms.

Click for more information about the developer interface.