Vanguard Software Knocks Down Barriers to Complex Decision Problems with New Software

Vanguard Software's new Global Optimizer combines intelligent search strategies with the power of grid computing

Cary, NC – March 1, 2010 – Many business problems defy traditional optimization techniques because they contain complicated, yet real-world, structures or uncertainty. Optimization modelers are forced to simplify business problems to use available techniques, essentially forcing square pegs into round holes. While the solutions they find might be mathematically optimal, they do not solve the original, real-world problems.

As the first optimization solution to overcome these common limitations, Vanguard Software announces the launch of its new resource optimization software, Global Optimizer—a powerful resource allocation and optimization solution that enables managers to allocate resources by minimizing or maximizing any business metric regardless of uncertainty.

Managers can use Global Optimizer to choose the product mix that maximizes profit given limited raw materials and resources; or, to find a minimal cost distribution plan that satisfies customer demands and material availabilities. Problems that literally involve an infinite number of possible solutions are resolved by Global Optimizer in seconds.

Most optimization solutions only support business environments that are deterministic—where all input parameters are known with 100% certainty. Global Optimizer adds an entirely new dimension to optimization with a flexible modeling environment that enables any business scenario to be modeled, analyzed, and solved.

Global Optimizer supports all of the most powerful and essential methods for resource optimization, including:

• Optimization:
  Find the best solution subject to business constraints (using linear, integer, and nonlinear programming).
• Decision tree analysis:
  Choose the best course of action when future outcomes are uncertain.
• Heuristics:
  Find very good solutions to very complex problems (used when traditional methods cannot be applied).
• Monte Carlo simulation:
  Model uncertainty to help manage business risk and simulate complex systems.
• Sensitivity analysis:
  Determine which assumptions drive your decisions most.

Built on the Vanguard System platform, the Global Optimizer is a true black box optimizer that is based on a proprietary search algorithm. With the Global Optimizer, there are no restrictions on linearity, discontinuity, stochasticity, and model characteristics that limit all other optimization tools.

Find out more about Global Optimizer on the Global Optimizer product page here.

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About Vanguard Software

Vanguard Software is a privately held corporation founded in 1995 to develop business Decision Support software. Customers in over 60 countries and in every major industry use Vanguard’s software for forecasting, resource optimization, Web-based expert systems, and financial modeling. For more information about Vanguard, visit http://www.vanguardsw.com.