OptQuest Solver Engine Version 9.0

Introduction

The OptQuest Solver Engine employs metaheuristics such as tabu search and scatter search to solve nonsmooth optimisation problems of up to 5,000 variables and 1,000 constraints. It is a new field-installable engine that plugs into the Premium Solver Platform and takes advantage of its Polymorphic Spreadsheet Interpreter. The engine handles models with any Excel formulas and functions, yet finds remarkably good solutions with unprecedented speed. Furthermore, it supports integer variables and 'alldifferent' constraints.

Solve new kinds of problems

The OptQuest Solver, like the Evolutionary Solver in the Premium Solver Platform, can solve nonsmooth optimisation problems that cannot be handled effectively by the standard Excel Solver. Even if your model uses IF, CHOOSE, LOOKUP or other similar functions that cause difficulty for the standard Solver, you can obtain good solutions with the OptQuest Solver. Furthermore, where the standard Solver can find only a locally optimal solution, the OptQuest Solver is much more likely to find a globally optimal, or near-optimal solution.


Greater speed and capacity

With the OptQuest Solver, you will be able to solve nonsmooth optimisation problems as much as ten times larger than the Evolutionary Solver included with the Premium Solver Platform. The engine allows up to 5,000 variables and 1,000 constraints. However, the practicality of solving large problems and the time required to find good solutions is highly dependent on the model.


Integer variables and alldifferent constraints

The OptQuest Solver handles nonsmooth problems that include general integer and binary integer variables, as well as variables subject to the alldifferent constraint. Alldifferent constraints can be used to model ordering or permutation of choices, such as the order of cities to visit in the Traveling Salesman Problem. Where other solvers may have difficulty finding any feasible solutions to nonlinear or nonsmooth problems that include both integer or alldifferent variables, the OptQuest Solver will often find not only feasible, but close to optimal solutions. At present, the OptQuest Solver Engine allows only one alldifferent constraint in a model, whereas the Premium Solver Platform allows you to define any number of non-overlapping alldifferent constraints.


Comprehensive user guide

In addition to the user guide that comes with the Premium Solver Platform, you will receive the Solver Engine User Guide that describes several field-installable solver engines, including the OptQuest Solver. This guide provides complete information on OptQuest Solver options, the various messages which the OptQuest Solver can return, how to diagnose problems and how to control the OptQuest Solver from VBA in Excel.


Software maintenance

Annual maintenance is required for the first year, and at all times in order to obtain software upgrades and technical support beyond basic installation assistance. The maintenance includes:

  • A limited warranty for the functionality and performance of the software product
  • All software upgrades for the product released during the contract term
  • Ability to trade in this product for an even more powerful Excel Solver product
  • Access to protected support pages of our Website
  • Technical support by phone and email during normal business hours
  • Up to 15 minutes of consulting assistance arising during the contract term
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