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Extensive domain knowledge in solving optimization problems
FriarTuck’s team of optimization specialists brings a combined expertise of 20 years
in solving combinatorial search problems such as course timetabling and workforce
scheduling. Research by FriarTuck’s
team on the use of optimization techniques for these applications reaches back
to 1995. Continuous innovation in optimization technologies led to the recognition
of FriarTuck’s
team as a center of excellence in the application of these technologies.
Experts in advanced optimization technologies
FriarTuck’s competence lies in using combinations of state-of-the-art optimization technologies
for combinatorial and discrete scheduling problems. The technical team comprises
experts in constraint programming, Operations Research and heuristic techniques, and its advisory
board includes international and renowned experts in solver technology. FriarTuck’s access to a wide range of optimization tools, including the constraint programming
system Mozart, FriarTuck’s solver engine FTSolverTM, ILOG Solver and ILOG CPLEX puts
the company in the best position to choose the most appropriate optimization technique and
tool for meeting the client’s scheduling needs. FriarTuck’s exposure to a wide
range of techniques and tools allows the company to develop high quality solutions
at competitive prices.
Award-winning and robust optimization solver
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FTSolverTM is FriarTuck’s
proprietary solver engine, which is developed in-house and employs advanced
optimization technologies that are proven to be effective on large tightly
constrained scheduling problems. The solver engine extracts all the specified
constraints, pre-processes them and generates optimized schedule. The
solver engine provides additional functionalities like error handling
and solver settings. For error handling, violations are explained in
detail to pinpoint problems caused by human errors or unforeseen conflicts.
The advantage of having a company-owned solver engine compared to using
third party systems is the ability to closely integrate the application
with the solver engine. This advantage translates to greatly enhanced
quality and performance of the proposed system when compared to competing
systems.
The engine is generic so that discrete optimization problems from a
wide range of domains can be handled. It generates optimal or near-optimal
solutions, and returns these solutions to the surrounding software
environment. FTSolverTM is the result of several years of
research by FriarTuck research engineers. It is unique in its scope
and optimization capabilities, giving FriarTuck a leading edge in the
domain of event scheduling. The solver is capable of handling very
large optimization problems involving hundreds of thousands of variables
and constraints while optimizing a similar magnitude of components
to the objective function. It has been used in number of successful
commercial projects, including the scheduling of scientists in NASA’s
Mars Exploration Rover mission. |
Price – value advantage
FriarTuck solver engine FTSolverTM is bundled in FriarTuck solution and is
FriarTuck’s IPR. Competing products with matching quality and performance levels require
licensing third party solver engine components (e.g. iLog Solver), making the complete solution
more expensive, when compared to FriarTuck. Additionally, tweaking the solver engine at
the code level to meet specific business requirements is nearly impossible for system integrators,
as (solver engine) R&D teams are based in third party vendor labs elsewhere.
FriarTuck’s OWM product suite is a result of several years of development and is time-tested
across industries. The obvious advantages of ‘product’ over ‘custom-build’ like
extensive features & functionalities, rapid deployment, continuous upgrades and ease of
maintenance protect IT investments and translate to lower costs and risk of
obsolescence.
FriarTuck’s relatively low-cost base in Singapore also provides it with a more economical
operation for ongoing research & development when compared to competing systems that originate
in more expensive western markets. These high product costs are usually passed
to the customers leading to higher Cost of Ownership (COO) and upgrades.
This
allows FriarTuck to offer best Price-Value advantage to its customers.
Track record in providing enterprise optimization solutions
FriarTuck has an established track record of successfully implementing optimization
solutions across segments for customers in USA, UK and Singapore. Some of
our showcase clients include American Space Agency - NASA (US), Big East
Conference (US), Wharton Business School (US), University of St Andrews (UK),
Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Airlines and National University Hospital (Singapore).
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