Clients And Partners
Recent Projects
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human MRSA Caused by Antibiotic use in Swine |
The main objective of this ongoing project for the National Pork Board is to place a data-driven upper bound on the risk (number of MRSA-related treatment failures per year, or cases of compromised treatment), in the United States, caused by use of antibiotics in swine. The result can then be used to inform policy debates that now rest on qualitative speculations (“This could be a crisis!”) by providing well-supported quantitative estimates (e.g., “At most one excess treatment failure per decade, or per billion person-years.”) Secondarily, we wish to assess the relative contributions to MRSA-related treatment failures of different swine-to-human MRSA transmission pathways, including handling or eating meat products, environmental runoff, and direct contact. We expect that quantitative risk assessment (QRA) will show that human antibiotic use in hospitals accounts for almost all MRSA risks in humans, and that animal sources contribute at most an undetectably small fraction of human MRSA cases. This is quite different from some current popular and policy-maker perceptions. |
Optimizing Performance Based Logistics Systems (PBL) |
| We are currently developing a set of decision support tools for General Dynamics Information Technology to help them manage their maintenance delivery systems. The tools are designed to estimate cost and performance metrics as a function of labor and inventory allocations. We designed a unique simulation-optimization approach using MS Excel as a front end, the Simul8 simulation development software, and the Optquest optimization tool. |
Route Factory Spreadsheet |
| This is an exciting new software product being developed with partner, Systems View Software, that provides a powerful fleet routing capability within a familiar MS Excel application interface. The software implements a series of route optimization algorithms developed by Dr. Doug Popken. It captures a large number of complex routing constraints, including time windows, "blackout windows", multiple capacities, driver restrictions, truck type restrictions, and total time/distance. It can be applied to food and beverage delivery, home delivery services, auto transport, household goods moving, LTL, and more. Results are displayed in MS Mappoint with maps and driving instructions for each truck. The underlying code is all written in the robust C# .NET programming language. The product is currently undergoing beta-testing with prospective users. |
Improving Back Room Processes for Retail Bookstores |
| Bookstores, especially independents, face increasing economic pressures including reduced margins, competition from large chains and the internet, and shorter product life cycles. We analyzed the "back room" processes of stores belonging to an industry association to find ways to improve ordering, receiving, and returns. Store interviews and surveys provided the data to develop simulation models of the "as-is" processes. A second set of simulations investigated different "to-be" scenarios that could result from application of new technologies or processes generated from the interviews and a best practices survey. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis determined the most viable options. The analysis showed that implementation of an industry-wide Collaborative, Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment system for improved inventory control and planning would provide the greatest benefits. |
Analyzing Operations and Logistics Configurations for Weapon System Design |
| This project supported Lockheed-Martin in its design of the FALCON (Force Application and Launch from CONUS) rocket system for the Air Force and DARPA. We used the ProcessModel simulation package to capture launch process flow and resource usage under different operating scenarios. The results helped to identify an efficient low-cost design. |