SAS/OR® Features

Mathematical optimization

  • The OPTMODEL family of procedures provides:
    • Flexible algebraic syntax for intuitive model formulation.
    • Transparent use of standard SAS functions.
    • Direct invocation of linear, nonlinear, quadratic, network, and mixed integer solvers.
    • Support for the rapid prototyping of customized optimization algorithms, including named problems and subproblems.
    • Ability to run other SAS code within PROC OPTMODEL with the SUBMIT block.
    • Ability to execute solver invocations in parallel with the COFOR loop.
  • Aggressive presolvers to reduce effective problem size.
  • Multithreading in underlying technologies for improved optimization performance.
  • Linear programming solvers:
    • Primal simplex, dual simplex and network simplex.
    • Interior-point with crossover.
  • Parallel branch-and-bound mixed-integer programming solver with cutting planes and primal heuristics.
  • Option tuning for mixed-integer programming.
  • Decomposition algorithm for linear and mixed-integer programming.
  • General nonlinear programming solvers:
    • Interior-point trust region method with line search.
    • Active-set trust region method with line search.
    • Multistart capability.
  • Quadratic programming with state-of-the-art solver tailored for large-scale optimization.
  • Multiple network diagnostics and optimization algorithms.
  • Parallel hybrid global/local search optimization, including multi-objective optimization.
  • Grid enablement.
  • Constraint programming capabilities with scheduling and resource features.

Discrete event simulation

  • Versatile, graphical modeling capabilities; create and save custom components.
  • Ability to model both static and mobile resources.
  • Automated experimental design and input analysis via integration with JMP software.
  • Ability to drive models with historical data in SAS data sets or JMP tables.
  • Integration with SAS or JMP for analysis of results.
  • Support for large models and large experiments.
  • Search facility enables search of all blocks in model.
  • Hierarchical modeling: compound blocks and submodel blocks.

Project & resource scheduling

  • Critical Path Method and CPM-based resource-constrained scheduling.
  • Calendars, work shifts and holidays for determining resource availability and schedules.
  • Full support for nonstandard precedence relationships.
  • Ability to include PERT estimates of duration.
  • Versatile reporting, customizable Gantt charts and project network diagrams.
  • Earned Value Management analysis for project tracking execution.
  • Decision analysis:
    • Create, analyze and interactively modify decision tree models.
    • Calculate value of perfect information (VPI) and value of perfect control (VPC).
  • Bill of material (BOM) processing:
    • Read from standard product structure data files and part master files, or combined files.
    • Produce single- or multiple-level bills of material, including indented and summarized BOM.
    • Produces summarized parts, listing items and quantities required to meet the specified plan.