Operation Research

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In a Model Classification there are four categories:

1- Physical Models:

Those are real, low versions of the original. Examples include a bowl, a scale-model van made with elements from a toy construction set. In conclusion, many models are not concerted with operations research, as a reason of getting delicate analysis of complex systems through physical models is often very difficult.

2- Analogic Models:

This model is step down from the first one as they are physical models, but as a physical analog to give a better description of the system. Maybe the most famous example which was used by this model was the ANTIAC model (the acronym stood for anti-amputation) which proved that the user may use a valid OR analysis without the need of using the compute. The main objective of this problem was how to demonstrate the suppliers to many various military points with the best cost. . The most famous example of an analog model is the antic model which shows that a valid operation research analysis without even resorting to the use of a computer. In this case the main goal is to find the best way to distribute supplies at a military depot to various demand points. This problem can be solved effectively by using techniques from network flow analysis. The actual procedure that was used then took a different approach. An anthill on a platform was used as an analog for the depot and little mounds of sugar on their own platforms were chosen to represent each demand point. And the roads connecting the various nodes was represented through a network and through using bits of strings and the length of each is proportional to the real distance and the width was proportional to the capacity along that link. And ants was used in this experie...

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... Considering just one product - gasoline - there are different properties that constrain the blends produced. These include the octane number, lead and sulfur content, volatilities etc., and as a response to this complex problem Texaco developed a system that is called OMEGA at the core of this was a non-linear optimization model which supported the case of interactive decision for optimally blending gasoline the omega was estimated to save Texaco about 30m$ annually and the previously mentioned system StarBlend is considered to be an extension of the OMEGA system where optimal decisions could be made over a longer planning horizon as opposed to a single period and in addition to blend quality constraints , the system also incorporates inventory and material balance constraints , the user uses an algebraic modeling called GAMS and a nonlinear solver called MINO S.

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