Abstract: A decision support tool to assist decision-making in the operation of a facility. The decision support tool allows a user to perform planning and scheduling of the events within a facility so that established economic goals do not collide with feasibility of a schedule. This is achieved by flexible time modeling, which introduces a “look-ahead” planning and scheduling technique. This technique analyzes several time periods of the schedule in light of upcoming dominant events, in order for each segment of the schedule to remain as consistent with the planning objectives as possible.

Abstract: A decision support tool to assist decision-making in the operation of a facility. The decision support tool allows a user to perform planning and scheduling of the events within a facility so that established economic goals do not collide with feasibility of a schedule. This is achieved by flexible time modeling, which introduces a “look-ahead” planning and scheduling technique. This technique analyzes several time periods of the schedule in light of upcoming dominant events, in order for each segment of the schedule to remain as consistent with the planning objectives as possible.

Abstract: A modeling tool for determining the operation of a production facility. A variety of different activities can be modeled by the present invention, including (a) feed material selection, including quantity and timing, (b) product sales, including quantity and timing, (c) process operations, including process conditions and timing, (d) blending operations, including process conditions and timing, and/or (e) inventory management. The modeling tool may represent time using continuous-time, discrete-time, asynchronous time periods, synchronous time periods, and combinations of these various approaches.

Abstract: A modeling tool for determining the operation of a production facility. A variety of different activities can be modeled, including (a) feed material selection, including quantity and timing, (b) product sales, including quantity and timing, (c) process operations, including process conditions and timing, (d) blending operations, including process conditions and timing, and/or (e) inventory management. The modeling tool may represent time using continuous-time, discrete-time, asynchronous time periods, synchronous time periods, and combinations of these various approaches.

Abstract: A decision support tool to assist decision-making in the operation of a facility. The decision support tool allows the user to compare the performance of different strategies for the operation of the facility so that the organization can make better-informed judgments about which approach to use. The decision support tool can also allow for the modification of strategies to improve their performance.

Abstract: A computer modeling application is disclosed for finding the optimal solution to maximize total net margin, for the assignment of vehicles (e.g., especially vessels) in an available fleet to perform a set of voyages to transport cargo comprising one or more bulk products during a planning period, as well as an apparatus and method employing the same. The fleet can include term vehicles and spot vehicles. The vehicles, voyages, and cargos can be heterogeneous. In one embodiment, the vehicles are crude carrier vessels and the bulk products are different grades of crude oil. To increase speed, the model is broken into linear programming and mixed integer (linear) programming problems. The model can be run on a real-time basis to support complex scheduling operations.

Abstract: An optimization system for transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product from supply locations to demand locations is provided. The system has a mathematical model containing mathematical programming equations. In one embodiment, the objective function of the mathematical model is to minimize a cost basis of the product transported. The system also has a database system for data input that interfaces with the mathematical model. The last component of the system is a mathematical optimization solver that solves the equations provided by the mathematical model after the mathematical model receives data from the database system. As a result, the optimization system provides optimized or simulated results for the input data.

Abstract: A modeling tool for determining the operation of a production facility. A variety of different activities can be modeled by the present invention, including (a) feed material selection, including quantity and timing, (b) product sales, including quantity and timing, (c) process operations, including process conditions and timing, (d) blending operations, including process conditions and timing, and/or (e) inventory management. The modeling tool may represent time using continuous-time, discrete-time, asynchronous time periods, synchronous time periods, and combinations of these various approaches.

Abstract: A computer modeling application is disclosed for finding the optimal solution to maximize total net margin, for the assignment of vehicles (e.g., especially vessels) in an available fleet to perform a set of voyages to transport cargo comprising one or more bulk products during a planning period, as well as an apparatus and method employing the same. The fleet can include term vehicles and spot vehicles. The vehicles, voyages, and cargos can be heterogeneous. In one embodiment, the vehicles are crude carrier vessels and the bulk products are different grades of crude oil. To increase speed, the model is broken into linear programming and mixed integer (linear) programming problems. The model can be run on a real-time basis to support complex scheduling operations.

Abstract: A computer modeling application is disclosed for finding the optimal solution to maximize total net margin, for the assignment of vehicles (e.g., especially vessels) in an available fleet to perform a set of voyages to transport cargo comprising one or more bulk products during a planning period, as well as an apparatus and method employing the same. The fleet can include term vehicles and spot vehicles. The vehicles, voyages, and cargos can be heterogeneous. In one embodiment, the vehicles are crude carrier vessels and the bulk products are different grades of crude oil. To increase speed, the model is broken into linear programming and mixed integer (linear) programming problems. The model can be run on a real-time basis to support complex scheduling operations.

Abstract: A tool to assist decision-making in the logistics of bulk product transportation. For example, the tool may be used to solve a problem involving the transportation and the inventory management of crude oil, in which the transportation of crude oil between supply ports and discharge ports are performed by a fleet of ships. The tool is capable of handling a typical petroleum product transportation problem, which can be quite complex. The tool uses advanced modeling and optimization technology to find a solution (either optimal or near optimal) for the allocation of bulk products, vehicle routing, vehicle scheduling, and/or bulk product blending operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimal transporting of cargo is provided. The method includes optimizing a plurality of transportation decisions and mechanically transporting cargo through movement of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with a set of optimized transportation decisions. The decisions include transportation routes and schedules for the transportation vehicles, allocation of cargo to be transported to one or more demand locations by the transportation vehicles, nomination of cargo pickup by the transportation vehicles from the one or more supply locations, the use of specialized transportation locations, and vehicle assignments for each of the transportation vehicles. The set of decisions is optimized by collecting data relating to the various transportation decisions, using the data collected as part of a mixed integer linear programming model, and obtaining a solution to the model to arrive at a set of optimized transportation decisions.

Abstract: A computer application loaded on a computer readable medium, a computer apparatus comprising the same, and process employing the same, is described herein. The computer application, when executed, causes a computer to optimize, for maximum net profit margin, the product allocation, transportation routing, transportation vehicle/route scheduling and, optionally, blending, of bulk products that are produced by and loaded from supply locations and delivered to and consumed by demand locations, using a heterogeneous fleet of transportation vehicles over a pre-defined period of time.

Abstract: A computer application loaded on a computer readable medium, a computer apparatus comprising the same, and process employing the same, is described herein. The computer application, when executed, causes a computer to optimize, for maximum net profit margin, the product allocation, transportation routing, transportation vehicle/route scheduling and, optionally, blending, of bulk products that are produced by and loaded from supply locations and delivered to and consumed by demand locations, using a heterogeneous fleet of transportation vehicles over a pre-defined period of time.

Abstract: A computer modeling application is disclosed for finding the optimal solution to maximize total net margin, for the assignment of vehicles (e.g., especially vessels) in an available fleet to perform a set of voyages to transport cargo comprising one or more bulk products during a planning period, as well as an apparatus and method employing the same. The fleet can include term vehicles and spot vehicles. The vehicles, voyages, and cargos can be heterogeneous. In one embodiment, the vehicles are crude carrier vessels and the bulk products are different grades of crude oil. To increase speed, the model is broken into linear programming and mixed integer (linear) programming problems. The model can be run on a real-time basis to support complex scheduling operations.

Abstract: An optimization system for transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product from supply locations to demand locations is provided. The system has a mathematical model containing mathematical programming equations. In one embodiment, the objective function of the mathematical model is to minimize a cost basis of the product transported. The system also has a database system for data input that interfaces with the mathematical model. The last component of the system is a mathematical optimization solver that solves the equations provided by the mathematical model after the mathematical model receives data from the database system. As a result, the optimization system provides optimized or simulated results for the input data.