Case Studies

Included in this section are case studies for some of our major international & national clients outlining the challenges they faced and how Orbit Systems were able to utilize Operations Research techniques and systems to overcome the challenges. Each of the clients below has seen significant benefits from the introduction of our solutions, including over USD$4,000,000 saved per annum.

Operations Research

Management science, or operations research, is a specialised discipline for business decision-making. It involves solving problems that have complex structural, operational and investment dimensions involving the allocation and scheduling of resources.

A typical approach might include:

Defining the problem, including identifying the absolute requirements and the objectives to be achieved, identifying what information is required and/or available, and what form the answer should take;
Breaking the problem down into logical elements that can be analysed or "solved";
Solving the problem using the most appropriate analytical technique; and
Offering insights into the problem, such as determining the sensitivity of the outcomes to inputs and determining the value of additional information.

Some problems are "one-off"; others require an on-going solution. Where an on-going solution is required, we are able to deliver a framework for solving the problem in the future and, if necessary, a computerised solution integrated into an organisation's existing information infrastructure.

Some of the possible solution techniques include:

Mathematical programming - model complex economic, technical and operational systems as a set of variables related by mathematical rules and find optimal "solutions" (e.g. resource allocations) using Linear or Non-Linear Programming;
Network modelling and routing - reduce flow costs and travel times; improve efficiency and productivity;
Simulation - construct a system model and then trace the outcomes over time to identify significant events and patterns;
Stochastic Optimisation and Decision Trees - calculate an optimal strategy that is hedged against uncertainty;
Real Options Theory - calculate the value of flexibility under uncertainty;
Game Theory - construct a model (e.g. Cournot) of the interactions between individuals or organisations and evaluate their respective incentives;
Heuristic or approximation methods - solve otherwise impossible problems to give an answer that is good enough, but not necessarily perfect;
Decision Support Systems - identify critical parameters and elevate for management focus and decision making; and
Statistics and econometrics - analyse data to identify key components, determine "best fit" mathematical relationships and produce forecasts.

Orbit Systems has extensive experience in all facets of Operations Research.