Database Structure for a Class of Multi-Period Mathematical Programming Models (Revised-May 07)

We describe how a generic multi-period optimization-based decision support system can be used for strategic and operational planning in a company whose processes can be described in terms of five fundamental elements: Materials, Facilities, Activities, Times and Storage-Areas. We discuss the issues of interface design, data reporting and updating, and production and profit planning. We also compare the performances of two different types of database structures with respect to optimization. [This paper is a revised version of an earlier working paper (No.2000-01-06)]