Optimal server resource reservation policies for priority classes of users under cyclic non-homogeneous markov modeling

Resource availability optimization is studied on a server–client system where different users are partitioned into priority classes. The aim is to provide higher resource availability according to the priority of each class. For this purpose, resource reservation is modeled by a homogeneous continuous time Markov chain (CTMC), but also by a cyclic non-homogeneous Markov chain (CNHMC) as there is a cyclic behavior of the users’ requests for resources. The contribution of the work presented consists in the formulation of a multiobjective optimization problem for both the above cases that aims to determine the optimal resource reservation policy providing higher levels of resource availability for all classes. The optimization problem is solved either with known methods or with a proposed kind of heuristic algorithm. Finally, explicit generalized approximate inverse preconditioning methods are adopted for solving efficiently sparse linear systems that are derived, in order to compute resource availability.     

QoS and energy consumption aware service composition and optimal-selection based on Pareto group leader algorithm in cloud manufacturing system

Service composition and optimal selection (SCOS) is one of the key issues for implementing a cloud manufacturing system. Exiting works on SCOS are primarily based on quality of service (QoS) to provide high-quality service for user. Few works have been delivered on providing both high-quality and low-energy consumption service. Therefore, this article studies the problem of SCOS based on QoS and energy consumption (QoS-EnCon). First, the model of multi-objective service composition was established; the evaluation of QoS and energy consumption (EnCon) were investigated, as well as a dimensionless QoS objective function. In order to solve the multi-objective SCOS problem effectively, then a novel globe optimization algorithm, named group leader algorithm (GLA), was introduced. In GLA, the influence of the leaders in social groups is used as an inspiration for the evolutionary technology which is design into group architecture. Then, the mapping from the solution (i.e., a composed service execute path) of SCOS problem to a GLA solution is investigated, and a new multi-objective optimization algorithm (i.e., GLA-Pareto) based on the combination of the idea of Pareto solution and GLA is proposed for addressing the SCOS problem. The key operators for implementing the Pareto-GA are designed. The results of the case study illustrated that compared with enumeration method, genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization, the proposed GLA-Pareto has better performance for addressing the SCOS problem in cloud manufacturing system.     

服务大规模定制模式下的供应链调度优化

为了提升服务大规模定制(SMC)模式下供应链系统的运作柔性,应对客户较强的多样化需求特征,本文在对服务定制特征分析、服务阶段界定以及服务规模效应探讨的基础上,指出SCM模式下的供应链调度问题是一个典型的随机需求与随机资源约束的多目标动态优化问题。研究了SMC模式下供应链调度的优化目标与约束条件,建立了完整的随机多目标动态调度优化数学模型。基于SMC运作的特点,运用改进的蚁群算法对调度问题进行了求解。最后,通过实例分析了模型及算法的可行性、有效性及适用性。     

Solving a new stochastic multi-mode p-hub covering location problem considering risk by a novel multi-objective algorithm

In this paper, we develop a novel stochastic multi-objective multi-mode transportation model for hub covering location problem under uncertainty. The transportation time between each pair of nodes is an uncertain parameter and also is influenced by a risk factor in the network. We extend the traditional comprehensive hub location problem by considering two new objective functions. So, our multi-objective model includes (i) minimization of total current investment costs and (ii) minimization of maximum transportation time between each origin–destination pair in the network. Besides, a novel multi-objective imperialist competitive algorithm (MOICA) is proposed to obtain the Pareto-optimal solutions of the problem. The performance of the proposed solution algorithm is compared with two well-known meta-heuristics, namely, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and Pareto archive evolution strategy (PAES). Computational results show that MOICA outperforms the other meta-heuristics.     

Time-cost trade-off via optimal control theory in Markov PERT networks

We develop a new analytical model for the time-cost trade-off problem via optimal control theory in Markov PERT networks. It is assumed that the activity durations are independent random variables with generalized Erlang distributions, in which the mean duration of each activity is a non-increasing function of the amount of resource allocated to it. Then, we construct a multi-objective optimal control problem, in which the first objective is the minimization of the total direct costs of the project, in which the direct cost of each activity is a non-decreasing function of the resources allocated to it, the second objective is the minimization of the mean of project completion time and the third objective is the minimization of the variance of project completion time. Finally, two multi-objective decision techniques, viz, goal attainment and goal programming are applied to solve this multi-objective optimal control problem and obtain the optimal resources allocated to the activities or the control vector of the problem     

Win–win match using a genetic algorithm

As the service industries grow, tasks are not directly assigned to the skills but the knowledge of the worker which is to be valued more in finding the best match. The problem becomes difficult mainly because the match has to be seen with the objectives of both sides. Assignment methods fail to respond to a multi-objective, multi-constraint problem with complicated match; whereas, metaheuristics is preferable based on computational simplicity. A conditional genetic algorithm is developed in this study to propose both global and composite match using different fitness functions. This algorithm kills the infeasibilities to achieve the maximum number of matches. The proposed algorithm is applied on an academic problem of multi-alternative candidates and multi-alternative tasks (m × n problem) in two stages. In the first stage, four different fitness functions are evaluated and in the second stage using one of the fitness functions global and composite matching have been compared. The achievements will contribute both to the academic and business world.     

Multi-objective performance improvements of general finite single-server queueing networks

Optimizing the performance of general finite single-server acyclic queueing networks is a challenging problem and has been the subject of many studies. The version of the optimization problem treated here considers the minimization of the buffer areas and the service rates simultaneously with the maximization of the throughput. These are conflicting objectives, and the most appropriate methodology appears to be a multi-objective methodology. In fact, algorithms have previously been proposed, and the aim here is to show that the use of a mixed methodology can occasionally improve solutions without a significant increase in the computational costs. This paper shows that improvements in throughput can be achieved through a solution of a type of stochastic knapsack problem, which consists of redistributing the buffer spaces between the lines while preserving the overall capacity using a simulated annealing algorithm; that is, one objective is improved (the throughput) without worsening the other (the overall allocated capacity). A set of computational experiments are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Additionally, some of the insights presented here may help scientists and practitioners in finite single-server queueing network planning.     

基于多阶段模糊规模效应量化的TMC模式下供应链调度优化研究

旅游大规模定制(Tourism Mass Customization, TMC)模式实施的关键是通过对旅游供应链的调度优化处理旅游活动的“规模效应”与游客“个性化需求”之间的矛盾问题。运用经济学及模糊数学的理论方法分析并实现了TMC模式下存在的多阶段模糊规模效应量化处理。构建了引入规模效应量化的服务成本最小化、引入模糊时间窗的顾客满意度最大化及供应链协同度最大化为优化目标的TMC模式下多目标供应链调度优化模型。最后,通过蚁群算法实现TMC模式下多调度优化目标的求解并对优化效果进行对比研究。研究结果表明,TMC模式下供应链调度中旅游活动存在多阶段模糊规模效应并且可以量化处理;TMC模式中的规模效应具有合理的区间范围,旅游企业应注重规模效应与其他目标的均衡;蚂蚁算法在求解TMC模式下多目标优化问题方面不仅收敛速度快,而且通过对多调度目标优化效果的对比检验表明,性能稳健优良。     

A multi-objective heuristic approach for the casualty collection points location problem

In this paper, we formulate the casualty collection points (CCPs) location problem as a multi-objective model. We propose a minimax regret multi-objective (MRMO) formulation that follows the idea of the minimax regret concept in decision analysis. The proposed multi-objective model is to minimize the maximum per cent deviation of individual objectives from their best possible objective function value. This new multi-objective formulation can be used in other multi-objective models as well. Our specific CCP model consists of five objectives. A descent heuristic and a tabu search procedure are proposed for its solution. The procedure is illustrated on Orange County, California.