Originally posted by: SystemAdmin
[jfk said:]
Hello,
as to which one product is better
CPLEX solves MIP and QP models, CPO solves CP and CP-based scheduling models. So they are not the same though there are some classes of problems which can be modeled with both. Think about them as you have 2 very good athletes one is good at swimming and the other is good at running. If you ask the swimmer to run with your runner probably he will lose and the opposite is true if you change the competition from track to swimming pool. Use each tool what they are good at...
as to the access to the products, since you posted your message under OPL I suppose you are thinking about buying OPL, aren't you? Then
1. if you buy OPL, you will get both CPLEX + CPO (through OPL). Though you have to model in OPL's modeling language (OPL=Optimization Programming Language), you will have access to a model in Java or .Net since OPL is porvided with these API's so you could embed your OPL model in to Java or .Net applications with ease.
2. of course you can buy CPLEX or CPOptimizer only. In this case you develop everything (model as well) with their Java or .Net API's .
as to prices, licenses:
each product (OPL, CPLEX, CPO) has license and price. For price quotes I suppose you should approach a local representative of ILOG in your area.
as to the modeling approach:
just saying that "it is a transportation problem" is not enough to advise on which modeling approach (MIP or Constraint Programming, constraint based scehduling) should be chosen (from my experience probably it is CP though)... it could even be a combined approach as e.g. in duty generation problems for scheduling bus,truck, airplane, etc crews where column-generation approach seems wide-spread...
I hope it helps
cheers
#DecisionOptimization#OPLusingCPOptimizer