4,519 research outputs found
Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization and Support Vector Machine for Business Optimization and Applications
Business optimization is becoming increasingly important because all business
activities aim to maximize the profit and performance of products and services,
under limited resources and appropriate constraints. Recent developments in
support vector machine and metaheuristics show many advantages of these
techniques. In particular, particle swarm optimization is now widely used in
solving tough optimization problems. In this paper, we use a combination of a
recently developed Accelerated PSO and a nonlinear support vector machine to
form a framework for solving business optimization problems. We first apply the
proposed APSO-SVM to production optimization, and then use it for income
prediction and project scheduling. We also carry out some parametric studies
and discuss the advantages of the proposed metaheuristic SVM.Comment: 12 page
On the use of biased-randomized algorithms for solving non-smooth optimization problems
Soft constraints are quite common in real-life applications. For example, in freight transportation, the fleet size can be enlarged by outsourcing part of the distribution service and some deliveries to customers can be postponed as well; in inventory management, it is possible to consider stock-outs generated by unexpected demands; and in manufacturing processes and project management, it is frequent that some deadlines cannot be met due to delays in critical steps of the supply chain. However, capacity-, size-, and time-related limitations are included in many optimization problems as hard constraints, while it would be usually more realistic to consider them as soft ones, i.e., they can be violated to some extent by incurring a penalty cost. Most of the times, this penalty cost will be nonlinear and even noncontinuous, which might transform the objective function into a non-smooth one. Despite its many practical applications, non-smooth optimization problems are quite challenging, especially when the underlying optimization problem is NP-hard in nature. In this paper, we propose the use of biased-randomized algorithms as an effective methodology to cope with NP-hard and non-smooth optimization problems in many practical applications. Biased-randomized algorithms extend constructive heuristics by introducing a nonuniform randomization pattern into them. Hence, they can be used to explore promising areas of the solution space without the limitations of gradient-based approaches, which assume the existence of smooth objective functions. Moreover, biased-randomized algorithms can be easily parallelized, thus employing short computing times while exploring a large number of promising regions. This paper discusses these concepts in detail, reviews existing work in different application areas, and highlights current trends and open research lines
A simheuristic algorithm for solving an integrated resource allocation and scheduling problem
Modern companies have to face challenging configuration issues in their manufacturing chains. One of these challenges is related to the integrated allocation and scheduling of resources such as machines, workers, energy, etc. These integrated optimization problems are difficult to solve, but they can be even more challenging when real-life uncertainty is considered. In this paper, we study an integrated allocation and scheduling optimization problem with stochastic processing times. A simheuristic algorithm is proposed in order to effectively solve this integrated and stochastic problem. Our approach relies on the hybridization of simulation with a metaheuristic to deal with the stochastic version of the allocation-scheduling problem. A series of numerical experiments contribute to illustrate the efficiency of our methodology as well as their potential applications in real-life enterprise settings
A statistical learning based approach for parameter fine-tuning of metaheuristics
Metaheuristics are approximation methods used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Their performance usually depends on a set of parameters that need to be adjusted. The selection of appropriate parameter values causes a loss of efficiency, as it requires time, and advanced analytical and problem-specific skills. This paper provides an overview of the principal approaches to tackle the Parameter Setting Problem, focusing on the statistical procedures employed so far by the scientific community. In addition, a novel methodology is proposed, which is tested using an already existing algorithm for solving the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
A WOA-based optimization approach for task scheduling in cloud Computing systems
Task scheduling in cloud computing can directly
affect the resource usage and operational cost of a system. To
improve the efficiency of task executions in a cloud, various
metaheuristic algorithms, as well as their variations, have been
proposed to optimize the scheduling. In this work, for the
first time, we apply the latest metaheuristics WOA (the whale
optimization algorithm) for cloud task scheduling with a multiobjective optimization model, aiming at improving the performance of a cloud system with given computing resources. On that
basis, we propose an advanced approach called IWC (Improved
WOA for Cloud task scheduling) to further improve the optimal
solution search capability of the WOA-based method. We present
the detailed implementation of IWC and our simulation-based
experiments show that the proposed IWC has better convergence
speed and accuracy in searching for the optimal task scheduling
plans, compared to the current metaheuristic algorithms. Moreover, it can also achieve better performance on system resource
utilization, in the presence of both small and large-scale tasks
A general Framework for Utilizing Metaheuristic Optimization for Sustainable Unrelated Parallel Machine Scheduling: A concise overview
Sustainable development has emerged as a global priority, and industries are
increasingly striving to align their operations with sustainable practices.
Parallel machine scheduling (PMS) is a critical aspect of production planning
that directly impacts resource utilization and operational efficiency. In this
paper, we investigate the application of metaheuristic optimization algorithms
to address the unrelated parallel machine scheduling problem (UPMSP) through
the lens of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The primary objective of this
study is to explore how metaheuristic optimization algorithms can contribute to
achieving sustainable development goals in the context of UPMSP. We examine a
range of metaheuristic algorithms, including genetic algorithms, particle swarm
optimization, ant colony optimization, and more, and assess their effectiveness
in optimizing the scheduling problem. The algorithms are evaluated based on
their ability to improve resource utilization, minimize energy consumption,
reduce environmental impact, and promote socially responsible production
practices. To conduct a comprehensive analysis, we consider UPMSP instances
that incorporate sustainability-related constraints and objectives
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