Spreadsheet optimization models are commonly understood to be difficult to scale up and down in size, reducing their utility for models that are large or will be reused. In contrast, an equivalent algebraic optimization model scales up and down very easily. In this paper, we show how to overcome...

Teaching decision sciences to non-technical students presents numerous challenges. It is well-established that spreadsheets can overcome one such challenge by facilitating the teaching of technical topics in a more user-friendly manner than algebraic expressions can. However, despite their...

Teaching decision sciences to non-technical students presents numerous challenges. It is well-established that spreadsheets can overcome one such challenge by facilitating the teaching of technical topics in a more user-friendly manner than algebraic expressions can. However, despite their...

We examine a situation where a manufacturer operates in a two-mode production environment. The first mode could involve overseas vendors and manufacturing facilities. If additional units are later required, the company must use its second mode - more expensive last-minute domestic vendors and...

We address the issues for modeling problems of obtaining medical resources, such as beds and personnel, on a just-in-time basis for providing patient services in a hospital's emergency department [ED]. Simulation modeling is one approach to solving this type of problem. However, most past ED...

Abstract A supply chain is a network of facilities for activities such as raw materials procurement, finished goods manufacturing, and distribution of products to customers. Because of competitive pressures, many organizations have expanded their supply chains to include international sites for...

We discuss the importance of spreadsheets for optimization modeling, including a description of their limitations for large-scale problems. We then describe efficient ways to overcome these limits. Our approach makes use of Excel's standard functionality but augments Excel with its programming...

We address the physical SONET network design problem of selecting stackable, unidirectional rings connecting central office nodes (COs) and remote nodes (RNs). This problem frequently arises in designing feeder transport networks to support centralized traffic between the COs and RNs. We...

Objective: To develop a discrete event simulation of ED patient flow for the purpose of forecasting near-future operating conditions, and to validate the forecasts using several measures of ED crowding. Methods: We developed a discrete event simulation of patient flow using evidence from the...