Recent Optimization Techniques and Applications to Customer Solutions

Companies operate by setting goals in various business fields, and then taking action to achieve those goals. Optimization techniques are one way to obtain operation (decision making) that will, to the extent possible, approach goals that have been set in response to a given problem. As a result, solutions such as designs for minimal operating cost, optimal product quality, smallest device size and the like can be realized. The development of optimization techniques began during World War II, when they were used to optimize the trajectory of missiles. Subsequently, mathematical programming has been developed to realize optimization through the application of mathematical techniques. Additionally, the optimization technique of meta-heuristics (MH), which imitates physical phenomena and the evolution of living organisms, has been developed since the 1970s. Furthermore, Fuji Electric has begun working to develop an optimization technique that is superior to conventional meta-heuristics. In the past, new optimization techniques had been developed in each era in order to realize customer solutions. But now, those optimization techniques are dated and new solutions are being realized. This paper introduces recent optimization techniques and their application to customer solutions.