Operations Research and Decision Optimization Sessions at DataFun Summit 2023

Operations research is an applied mathematics discipline that uses mathematical models and algorithms to help make optimal or near‑optimal decisions in complex systems, with wide applications in logistics, aviation, energy, supply chain, and manufacturing.

To promote academic exchange and technological innovation in this field, the DataFun Summit 2023 Decision Intelligence Forum organized an Operations Research track, inviting experts from Tsinghua University, Shanshu Technology, Cainiao Network, and Alibaba Cloud to share their latest research results and practical applications.

Speaker: Deng Yuming – Head of Logistics & Supply Chain Algorithms, TaoTian Logistics Topic: "Shanshu Optimization Solver and Intelligent Decision‑Making Technology in Practice" Outline: Latest performance improvements in linear, integer, and nonlinear programming (version 6.5), new features such as infeasibility analysis, automatic parameter tuning, initial solution setting, and callbacks; case studies include Southern Power Grid’s electricity spot market clearing, and applications in petrochemical, subway, chemical, and retail supply chains.

Audience benefits: understand optimization solvers and gain deep insight into industrial decision‑making technologies.

Speaker: Zhang Xinhang – Senior Algorithm Expert, Cainiao Network AI Department Topic: "Operations Research in Cainiao’s Practice" Outline: Extensive use of operations research in Cainiao’s global logistics, delivering real value across multiple scenarios and pioneering theoretical innovations.

Audience benefits: learn logistics applications of operations research and how Cainiao achieved world‑record performance in vehicle routing problems.

Speaker: Zhao Lei – Professor, Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University Topic: "Large‑Scale Supermarket Collaborative Delivery Optimization with Unloading Dock Constraints" Outline: Two‑stage stochastic integer programming model incorporating travel and unloading time uncertainties; adaptive large‑neighbourhood search and mixed‑integer programming algorithms; experiments on real Singapore supermarket data demonstrating the value of collaboration and stochastic information.

Audience benefits: analyze stochastic optimization problem features, build stochastic integer programming models, and design efficient solution algorithms.

Speaker: Wang Lei – Senior Algorithm Expert, Alibaba Cloud Intelligent Group Topic: "Challenges and Trends in Deploying Decision‑Optimization Algorithms in Industry" Outline: Case study of an industry deployment, discussing difficulties, solutions, and future research directions for decision‑optimization algorithms.

Audience benefits: gain experience in industry deployment of decision‑optimization algorithms, understand key factors for delivering business value, and insights into the relationship between algorithms and decision makers.