This book presents algorithms and computational applications integrated in software that are being applied in the industry. It shows how companies using these tools are more competitive and efficient in the use and resources management. The book is organized in three sections, depending on the supply chain stage: procurement, including contact with costumers and product design; Production process, including relationship with suppliers and among departments; and Distribution, including logistics and transportation.

Computational optimization is an important paradigm with a wide range of applications. In virtually all branches of engineering and industry, we almost always try to optimize something - whether to minimize the cost and energy consumption, or to maximize profits, outputs, performance and efficiency. In many cases, this search for optimality is challenging, either because of the high computational cost of evaluating objectives and constraints, or because of the nonlinearity, multimodality, discontinuity and uncertainty of the problem functions in the real-world systems. Another complication is that most problems are often NP-hard, that is, the solution time for finding the optimum increases exponentially with the problem size. The development of efficient algorithms and specialized techniques that address these difficulties is of primary importance for contemporary engineering, science and industry. This book consists of 12 self-contained chapters, contributed from worldwide experts who are working in these exciting areas. The book strives to review and discuss the latest developments concerning optimization and modelling with a focus on methods and algorithms for computational optimization. It also covers well-chosen, real-world applications in science, engineering and industry. Main topics include derivative-free optimization, multi-objective evolutionary algorithms, surrogate-based methods, maximum simulated likelihood estimation, support vector machines, and metaheuristic algorithms. Application case studies include aerodynamic shape optimization, microwave engineering, black-box optimization, classification, economics, inventory optimization and structural optimization. This graduate level book can serve as an excellent reference for lecturers, researchers and students in computational science, engineering and industry.

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are computer-based search techniques patterned after the genetic mechanisms of biological organisms that have adapted and flourished in changing, highly competitive environments for millions of years. GAs have been successfully applied to problems in a variety of studies, and their popularity continues to increase because of their effectiveness, applicability, and ease of use. Industrial Applications of Genetic Algorithms shows how GAs have made the leap form their origins in the laboratory to the practicing engineer's toolbox. Each chapter in the book describes a project completed by a graduate student at the University of Alabama.

Provides a basic understanding of both the underlying mathematics and the computational methods used to solve inverse problems.

This book explores several problems and their solutions regarding data analysis and prediction for industrial applications. Machine learning is a prominent topic in modern industries: its influence can be felt in many aspects of everyday life, as the world rapidly embraces big data and data analytics. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for novel and innovative algorithms to help us find effective solutions in industrial application areas such as media, healthcare, travel, finance, and retail. In all of these areas, data is the crucial parameter, and the main key to unlocking the value of industry. The book presents a range of intelligent algorithms that can be used to filter useful information in the above-mentioned application areas and efficiently solve particular problems. Its main objective is to raise awareness for this important field among students, researchers, and industrial practitioners.

This book presents recent advances in the theory and implementation of intelligent and other computational techniques in the insurance industry. The paradigms covered encompass artificial neural networks and fuzzy systems, including clustering versions, optimization and resampling methods, algebraic and Bayesian models, decision trees and regression splines. Thus, the focus is not just on intelligent techniques, although these constitute a major component; the book also deals with other current computational paradigms that are likely to impact on the industry. The application areas include asset allocation, asset and liability management, cash-flow analysis, claim costs, classification, fraud detection, insolvency, investments, loss distributions, marketing, pricing and premiums, rate-making, retention, survival analysis, and underwriting.

This proceedings volume contains three invited papers and 93 contributed papers. The topics covered range from studies of theoretical aspects of computational methods to simulation of industrial processes, with an emphasis on the efficient use of computers to solve practical problems. Developers and users of computational techniques who wish to keep up with recent developments in the application of modern computational technology to problems in science and engineering will have much interest in this volume.