Our optimization intelligence solutions have created more than $500M in profitability
Case Studies
We understand the challenges you face on the daily basis and have been working tirelessly for the past two decades to provide companies like yours software solutions that help them make better decisions in less time. We have helped several companies and we can help you too.
This is sole purpose we exist – to make you more efficient by empowering you with optimization intelligence solutions.
Optimizing Schedule Reliability Against Disruptions
We developed SkySYM, a simulation-guided optimization system, to assess the on-time performance of a flight schedule before it’s flown and to improve its reliability by making schedule changes, without impacting profitability.
Improving Profitability Through Schedule Optimization
We partnered with Southwest Airlines to develop SkyMAX – a new-generation flight schedule optimization system that builds better flight schedules from scratch to improve annual network profitability.
Real-Time Rail Scheduling
We developed an end-to-end train schedule optimization system that used real-time data to schedule train movements on a complex rail network, updated the schedule as disruptions occurred in the network, added trains whenever it saw the opportunity and optimized utilization of facilities at mines and ports.
Using Simulation To Improve Rail Network Efficiency
By using simulation to identify improvement opportunities in the rail network, companies can make variations to help sustain such growth in capacity.
Driver Scheduling Automation And Optimization
We automated and optimized driver scheduling for Greyhound while reducing operating costs and increasing driver job satisfaction.
Reoptimizing Its Railroad Operating Plan
Every few years, railroads take a clean-slate look at their operating plans and seek opportunities for major improvements. We partnered with CSX to optimize its operating plan and to reduce the company’s annual operating costs.
Combined Assignment Models
We integrated two airline models (Fleet Assignment and Through Assignment) into a single model for United Airlines, which created the opportunity for United to possibly save tens of millions of dollars annually.
Optimal Repositioning Of Empty Containers
Empty container movements result from geographical imbalances in supply and demand. We developed a model to help Pacer Stacktrain minimize empty container movements.
Equitable Distribution Of Cars From Plants To Retailers
Toyota Motors needed to determine how to meet demands for a wide variety of car models with different combinations of options when all demands could not be met, due to limited capacity. We developed a distribution model that met retailers’ demands in an objective and equitable manner.
Locomotive Operating Plan Optimization
Since train schedules and fleet sizes change frequently, railroads require a tool that regularly optimizes their locomotive operating plans. We developed a locomotive optimization software solution that created and maintained such a plan.
Railroad Blocking Optimizer
Railroad blocking is an important part of operating plan design. After licensing our railroad blocking optimizer, BNSF Railway, the second-largest freight railroad in North America, used it to incrementally optimize its blocking plan periodically, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in annual savings.
Railroad Blocking Optimizer
Norfolk Southern licensed our blocking optimizer, the railroad integrated this solution within its own planning system, the Operating Plan Developer (OPD). This system is now an integral part of Norfolk Southern’s operating plan development process.
Developing A Train Schedule Design
Train schedule design is a key component of a railroad’s operating plan, since it dictates the flow of its assets in its rail network. BNSF Railway, the second-largest freight railroad in North America, engaged Optym in an ongoing partnership to develop the train schedule optimizer system now known as TrainMAX®.
Creating An Optimal Linehaul Plan
Towne Air Freight, a national LTL (less-than-truckload) carrier, was experiencing a high number of empty truck miles, well above the industry norms, due to a non-optimal linehaul operating plan. With our HaulPLAN® software product, we created an optimal linehaul plan and considerably reduced the carrier’s empty miles.
Crew Optimization For Presence On Scheduled Airlines
A U.S. government agency responsible for staffing crew on passenger airlines sought to develop a next-generation crew scheduling system. We developed a single-pass optimization system that scheduled 100 percent of the available crew resources, while improving distribution of crew on flights and honoring lifestyle requirements.
Evaluating An Intermodal Yard Layout Using Simulation
CSX Transportation built its largest intermodal yard layout near Chicago using state-of-the-art technology. Employing a simulation system, we evaluated a given layout, identified capacity bottlenecks and created an improved layout that increased yard capacity by over 15 percent.
Evaluating Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Use In Distribution Centers
Walmart was investigating the role of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to improve the efficiency of its DCs and reduce reliance on manual labor. We evaluated different methods of using automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in Walmart distribution centers and recommended the most cost-effective option.
Optimizing An Entire Seaplane Fleet Network
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) operates world’s largest luxury seaplane fleet and serves over 2,500 passengers every day through regular and charter flights. TMA has a very unique way of operating, with a very high level of service. Unlike major airlines, it publishes new schedules every day, depending on the demand from the over 70 resorts that it services currently.
Creating An Integrated Hump Yard Simulation System
As volumes continued to grow in CSX Transportation’s rail network, its hump yards became congested. Partnering with CSX, we developed an integrated hump yard simulation system to help the company determine a hump yard’s true capacity. We identified bottlenecks, recommended optimal capacity expansion options and identified yard improvement opportunities.
Using Simulation To Make Hump Yard Capital Expense Decisions
Belt Railway of Chicago’s (BRC) Clearing Yard is among the largest hump yards in United States. BRC spends millions of dollars annually in projects aimed to increase capacity, reduce cost or improve efficiency. We developed a hump yard simulation system for BRC to use when making these decisions.
Linehaul Operating Plan Optimization
Less than truckload (LTL) carriers create linehaul plans to determine how to group shipments and route them from origins to destinations in a hub-and-spoke network at minimum cost—while honoring operational constraints, such as trailer capacity, terminal processing capacity, terminal operating windows and driver routes. We created linehaul plans for a national LTL carrier that yielded tens of millions of dollars in annual linehaul cost savings.
Developing A Locomotive Simulation System
Railroad locomotive departments need locomotive planning systems to make strategic decisions related to fleet sizing, fleet mix, shop locations, capacities and capabilities. We developed a simulation system to meet this need for CSX Transportation.
Using Data to Identify Missed Connection Causes at a Hump Yard
Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) found that at its Clearing Yard, one of the largest yards in the United States, a large number of its cars were missing their connections from inbound trains to outbound trains. Through data mining, we identified the causes for missed connections and uncovered solutions to address them.
Developing a Service Analyzer System
We partnered with CSX Transportation to develop its next-generation service measurement and reporting systems. With these systems in place, users can now easily view hotspots and drill down to details to perform a root cause analysis. Hundreds of users now use this system every day to better understand current operations and identify how to improve them.
Developing a Business Intelligence System
While freight railroad databases contain data for all asset movements, they lack integrated data analytics and business intelligence systems so that users can analyze this data quickly. We partnered with Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway to design, develop, and deploy such an application, which has now become a standard tool for its Service Design department.
Inventory Control Simulation Systems
To maximize revenues and maintain service quality, retail companies must track inventory using technical software to ensure it’s being sold, rather than sitting idly on store shelves or in warehouses. To address this issue, Office Depot hired Optym to review and enhance its stock-keeping unit (SKU) allocation system and design and implement a new ABC classification system.
Routing locomotives to Shops for Periodic Maintenance
As per Federal Railway Administration (FRA) regulations, every locomotive must be sent to a shop for periodic maintenance within 92 days of its previous maintenance. We developed a software solution for CSX Transportation to direct locomotives to shops for this maintenance just-in-time while ensuring consistency with shop capacities and capabilities. Migrating to Next-Generation Systems
A major European freight railroad wanted to migrate its planning and scheduling systems to next-generation systems – a risky and expensive proposition. By partnering with a global management consulting company, Optym was able to evaluate the railway’s data migration strategy and make recommendations to reduce risk.
Reducing Cost in Terminal Rehandling
One of our client’s service centers runs a small linehaul consolidation (rehandling) operation, mainly to help some freight meet their service standards. However, over time, additional freight was moved in and out of this service center, resulting in inconsistent freight volumes and, ultimately, inefficient loads.
