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.