Optimisation and Simulation Consulting

<body> <p>Optimisation and Simulation Consulting (OPTSIM) - consultants in simulation modelling, optimisation and scheduling for the mining and transportation industries.</p> <p> </p> <p>Optimisation and Simulation Consulting (OPTSIM) is a leading consulting company which specialises in delivering cost-saving decision-support solutions by applying advanced analytical methods, such as:</p> <ul><li>simulation modelling</li> <li>optimisation</li> <li>scheduling</li></ul> <p> </p> <p>We work in partnership with our clients, adding value to their business, removing uncertainties and recommending the <b>best and most profitable</b> path to take when they are consolidating or expanding operations.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our goal is to minimise the risk of investment and maximise returns by providing innovative solutions that usually add millions of dollars to their bottom-line, either in additional revenue or by avoiding unnecessary capital expenditure. </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><A href="aboutus.html">PROFILE</A></p> <p style="text-align: left"> </p> <p align="left"><A href="services.html">TECHNIQUES</A></p> <p style="text-align: left"> </p> <p align="left"> <A href="people.html">PERSONNEL</A></p> <p style="text-align: left"> </p> <p align="left"> <A href="cases.html">SELECTED CASE STUDIES</A></p> <p style="text-align: left"> </p> <p align="left"> <A href="contact.html">CONTACT DETAILS</A></p> <p> <h2>Areas of Specialisation</h2> <p>By combining or individually using simulation modelling, optimisation and scheduling techniques, we create fully customised solutions, which typically fall into one of the following categories:</p> <blockquote> <h3>Capacity Analysis</h3> <p>Frequently when an upgrade is planned, significant increases in throughput are expected. A capacity analysis considers the current operation and then adds the proposed infrastructure to establish and quantify the likely throughput of an operating system after the upgrade. This type of study can also address issues relating to the reliability of production units, improved scheduling or changes to operating procedures.</p> <p> </p> <h3>De-bottlenecking Analysis</h3> <p>As operations are adjusted over the years or external factors impact on your operating system, the fine balance of the supply chain may be affected. A de-bottlenecking analysis can pinpoint the cause of the bottleneck and through optioneering, can identify where latent capacity exists as well as which parameters can be modified to improve capacity.</p> </blockquote> <h2>Benefits</h2> <p>Whether our solutions are used to assist with high-level strategic planning or to improve day-to-day operations, there are many benefits to be gained. Our solutions provide clients with the capability to:</p> <ul> <li>Visualise, evaluate and understand the impact of planning decisions before implementation.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Accurately predict capacity for current and proposed operations.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Solve numerous "what-if" questions about different operating scenarios and layout designs.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Significantly reduce the risk associated with complex upgrades by establishing optimum site or plant layouts.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in an operating system, then test different solution alternatives to alleviate the problem.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Decrease operating costs through better asset utilisation and avoid unnecessary capital  expenditure.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Make better decisions with less risk and more accuracy.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Increase revenues and ROI.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <span style='mso-bidi-font-style:italic; color:windowtext'> <h1>Techniques Used</h1> <p>To gain the best performance from your operating process, we employ one or a combination of the powerful operations research techniques listed below:</p> <p> </p> <h2>Simulation Modelling</h2> <h3> Modelling</h3> <p>Simulation modelling reduces or eliminates infrastructure costs and risk by:</p> <ul> <li>quickly and economically testing alternative plant options without a shutdown</li> </ul> <ul> <li>testing the effectiveness of all proposed enhancements before implementation</li> </ul> <ul> <li>providing confidence in the effectiveness of the proposed design to achieve production</li> </ul> <ul> <li>fine-tuning a complex system.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>We design, build, animate, verify, validate and run off-line discrete-event simulation models of any process in any industry. Our models can be developed with 2D or 3D animations as shown on this page.</p> <p> </p> <h3> Model Auditing</h3> <p>With many simulation models, there are times when senior management, board members or technical validation experts such as bankers, lawyers or actuaries need confidence that all due diligence has been undertaken. We can confirm, with an audit, that the right approach was taken when your simulation model was developed.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Optimisation</h2> <h3>Optimisation-Based Decision-Support Applications</h3> <p>Optimisation involves narrowing your choices to the very best when there are virtually innumerable feasible options and comparing them.</p> <p> </p> <p>Often day-to-day operations require the establishment of the best course of action, such as:</p> <ul> <li>the combination of events that yield the maximum net present value, or</li> </ul> <ul> <li>the sequence of processing that reduces the total elapsed time, or</li> </ul> <ul> <li>how to best schedule maintenance crews to get all jobs done.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>These decisions need to be made on a regular basis and updated when unforeseen events occur, such as breakdowns, no-shows, and late or early completions. We design optimisation applications that can be used time and time again.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Scheduling</h2> <h3>Automated Scheduling Programs</h3> <p>Scheduling is an art! Many schedulers spend a lifetime developing an understanding of their operation so they can create reliable schedules. However, sometimes when building a schedule there are too many constraints involved for the human mind to factor. We create programs based on optimisation techniques that enable you to quickly develop schedules incorporating all relevant constraints.</p> <p> </p> <h1>Personnel</h1> <h2>Nick Marinopoulos</h2> <p>Nick Marinopoulos is one of the most experienced global simulation and optimisation specialists, with a reputation for solving real business applications with remarkable insight. A person of unquestionable integrity, he believes the key to his success comes from his strong customer focus and excellent consulting skills, which are further enhanced by superior analytical skills.</p> <p> </p> <p>Nick started his career with BHP Research in 1986, where he successfully applied mathematical and analytical techniques such as simulation, optimisation, statistics, neural networks and expert systems to many divisions of BHP, including Minerals, Steel, Petroleum, Transport and Engineering. This background has given Nick a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s resource industries.</p> <p> </p> <p>Moving to Perth in 1995, he worked with Fluor Daniel, an engineering firm, as a senior simulation consultant. With his Arena experience, he strengthened the firm’s simulation group by providing expert and innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of its client’s operations.</p> <p> </p> <p>A two-year stint in York, England, as Capacity Manager of the East Coast Main Line Upgrade, provided Nick with valuable experience in scheduling as well as in the railway industry. While living In Europe, Nick also consulted to the Holland HSL–Zuid Project. The experience gained on this project further enhanced his transportation capabilities.</p> <p> </p> <p>After returning to Melbourne in 2001, Nick became a founding partner of a simulation company, where he oversaw operations and projects emanating from the Melbourne office. In this position, he solved complex and computer-intensive supply chain problems using simulation modelling, for many blue chip Australian and international clients.</p> <p> </p> <p>With a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree, Masters of Science degree in Statistics, a Diploma in Operations Research and over 17 years of practical experience in business consulting and project management, Nick is an acknowledged leader in the creation of cost-saving decision-support solutions for decision makers.</p> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-2467658-1"; urchinTracker(); </script> </body>