Abstract: A computer implemented method of scheduling a plurality of virtual machines for execution by a physical computing infrastructure is described. The plurality of virtual machines are deployable to a subset of the physical computing infrastructure to execute a computing task. The method includes determining a subset of the infrastructure and a time period for deployment of each virtual machine, so that the virtual machines are scheduled to execute to completion over an aggregate of all time periods. The determination is based on a mathematical optimization of a risk function for each of the plurality virtual machines that corresponds to a relative risk that at least one virtual machine will fail to fully execute its task to completion.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of scheduling a plurality of virtual machines for execution by a physical computing infrastructure, each virtual machine being deployable to a subset of the physical computing infrastructure to execute a computing task, the method including determining, for each virtual machine, a subset of the infrastructure and a time period for deployment of the virtual machine, so as to schedule the virtual machines to execute to completion over an aggregate of all time periods, wherein the determination is based on a mathematical optimization of a risk function for each of the plurality virtual machines corresponding to a relative risk that at least one virtual machine will fail to fully execute its task to completion.

Abstract: A modeling tool for building a model of a problem involves a plurality of variables, whereby a heuristic search method can be carried out to optimize a solution for the modeled problem. The model of a problem includes a plurality of expressions defined as corresponding to one or more declarative statements and at least some of the expressions are dependent on at least one of the variables. The problem modeling tool can include automatically updating each declarative statement in response to changes to each variable associated therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to resource management, and describes a method and apparatus to be used in planning of resource deployment. In an embodiment of the invention, the number and characteristics of forecasted and/or unprocessed jobs falling within a time period such as a week, or a month, are compared to resource availability and status for that time period, in terms of attributes such as location, skills and time. A cost—in terms of jobs that cannot be carried out, given current resource availability and status—is evaluated. Preferably the attributes are stored as resource records, so that there is one resource record per resource, and the attributes of at least some of the resource records are modified using a heuristic search means or similar. The resource records are modified until a minimum cost is identified, and these resource records can then be used to formulate successive capacity plans, which can be input to a scheduling system.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system for building at least one algorithm to apply to an optimisation problem in order to find a solution to the problem, where the or each algorithm comprises a plurality of components.

Abstract: This invention concerns a problem modelling tool for building a model of a problem that involves a plurality of variables, whereby a heuristic search method can be carried out to optimise a solution for the modelled problem, and wherein the model of a problem comprises a plurality of expressions defined as corresponding one or more declarative statements and at least some of the expressions are dependent on at least one of said variables. In embodiments of the invention, the problem modelling tool includes means for automatically updating the, or each, declarative statement in response to changes to the or each variable associated therewith.