WHAT’S BEST

Better Performance on Linear Models with Improved Simplex Solvers
Enhancements to the Simplex solvers boost speed on linear models. Models solve an average of 18% faster using primal simplex and 15% faster for dual simplex.

Numerous Global Solver Enhancements

The ability to recognize and exploit convexity of various composite functions has been substantially improved. Performance has been improved for convex-concave type functions. Models with ratio/fractional objective solve an order of magnitude faster. Performance on on-convex Quadratically Constrained Quadratic Programs and been substantially improved.

Enhancements to the Quadratic/Conic Solvers

Models with ex and xk terms are solved faster -- so called Barrier Solver exponential and power cones.

Significantly Faster on Large Quadratic Models
Improvements in handling large quadratic matrices, e.g. 1000 x 1000, provide substantial performance improvement solving Quadratic Programming models.

Improved Handling of Models with All Different and Discontinuous Functions
Models that utilize the ALLDIFF function and discontinuous functions such as MOD(x,k), INT(x), ROUND(x), can be solved more quickly.

Faster When Simultaneously Solving LPs Using Different Solvers
In situations in which it may be difficult to predict whether the Primal, Dual or Barrier Solver will provide the fastest solution to a linear model, an improved Multi-Core feature allows you to assign each solver to a separate core and run them concurrently. So, you are ensured the solution in the shortest time regardless of which solver is fastest.

Added Support for Multiple Objective Optimization

For linear models, users can provide a prioritized list of objective functions and What'sBest! will perform Lexico/Pre-emptive priority optimization. The solver will optimize on the first objective, constraint it to the optimal value and resolve on the next objective. Then, constraint it and move to the next.

Multi-Start NLP Solver Now Supports a Target Value
Users can specify a target value for the objective function. As soon as any multi-start thread achieves a specified target all threads stop.

New Engineering Design Functions
Support has been added for new arithmetic functions, WBSIGNPOWER, WBLMTD, WBRLMTD, that can be useful in various engineering design, e.g., nonlinear network and heat exchanger models.

Support (faster solve times) for Additional Composite Functions

WBLOGABEXPX ln(a + b * exp(x))
WBLOGSUMAEXP ln( a1 * exp(x1) + . . . +an * exp(xn))
WBLOGSUMEXP ln(exp(x1) + . . . + exp(xn))
WBXPOWDIVAB x^a/(b - x)

Improved Installation and User Interface

The format and layout of some dialog boxes have been improved to provide more information and make them more user-friendly. Several enhancements have been made to improve the installation process.

• The World's Most Powerful Solver for Microsoft Excel

  - What'sBest! will efficiently solve your biggest, toughest models. The linear, integer, nonlinear and global solvers in What'sBest! have been designed for large scale commercial use and field tested on real world models by companies around the world. For optimization modeling in Excel, What'sBest! offers unrivaled speed and capacity.

• Modeling is Fast and Easy

  - Excel users will find What'sBest! to be an easy and powerful tool for solving optimization problems. Most users are able to begin modeling within minutes of installation.

• Build Models for your Clients

  - What'sBest! is an ideal tool for creating optimization applications for use by others. What'sBest! allows you to provide the application in a form that is best suited to the user. For managers, you can build a simple, easy-to-understand spreadsheet. For clerical workers, you can create turn-key applications with custom interfaces.

• Extensive Documentation and Help

  - What'sBest! provides all of the tools you will need to get up and running quickly. You get the What'sBest! User Manual (in printed form and available via the online Help) that fully describes the commands and features of the program. Also included in the manual is discussion of the major classes of linear, integer and nonlinear optimization problems along with over two dozen real world based examples that you can modify and expand.