Frequently Asked Questions

xlOptimizer is a generic optimization tool that uses Microsoft Excel as a platform for the definition of the problem at hand. Practically any problem that can be formulated in a spreadsheet can be tackled by this program. Examples include problems in finance, engineering, resource allocation, scheduling, manufacturing, route finding, job scheduling, etc.

xlOptimizer differs radically from the built-in "solver" pack of Microsoft Excel in the sense that it implements a host of customizable, state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms (both evolutionary and swarm intelligence), homogenized and arranged in an intuitive interface. These algorithms are considered to be very good "global optimizers", i.e. they are able to find very good solutions (from a practical point of view) with few function evaluations. This renders them ideal for very difficult (multi-parametric, non-differentiable, discontinuous, combinatorial, deceptive, etc) and/or expensive problems (i.e. each function evaluation may require several minutes).

Apart from the built-in functions of Microsoft Excel, which are readily available, external functions can be easily implemented through dynamic-link-libraries (dlls), so that virtually any problem can be formulated efficiently within a spreadsheet.

xlOptimizer add-in is compatible with Microsoft Excel 2016 (32bit/64bit) as well as Microsoft Excel 365 (32bit/64bit).

The latest service packs should have been installed.

No, xlOptimizer is not compatible with other spreadsheets, except for Microsoft's Excel.

It depends on the version.

The Demo version requires nothing to run.

The Lite version is software-protected.

The Professional version is hardware-protected with a HASP key. Therefore a package must be sent via normal or priority mail before you can run the Professional version of the program.

Of course. We offer support on xlOptimizer, as well as all the other products of TechnoLogismiki. Due to time-zone restrictions, email is the preferred method of contact. Usual response time is one working day. You can contact us here.

xlOptimizer is suitable for end-users with small or even no knowledge at all of the inner workings of Metaheuristic Algorithms. As long as the problem can be formulated in a spreadsheet, it is very easy to set-up a number of scenarios and optimize, which is translated into significant profit or performance improvement. All the parameters controlling the algorithms are set automatically to commonly used values. Concise tips are included in each step of appropriate wizards, which guide the user. Extensive on-line and off-line support is also available. If you don't want to get involved in tuning your Evolutionary Algorithm, then you don't need to!

xlOptimizer is also ideal for researchers in any scientific field that want to use a simple yet powerful tool for optimization. All parameters controlling the behavior of each algorithm are customizable, so that experimentation can reveal the optimum set of values. Moreover, a simple, Excel-like, built-in function evaluator is included, so that the parameters can be adaptive and not fixed. For example, the optimum population size of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) depends on the complexity of the problem. This can be easily set-up into a function, that produces the population size based on e.g. the chromosome length. Finally, automation tools are included that facilitate the examination of the performance of the Algorithms. These include the capability of performing multiple independent runs, using specific or random seeds, and storing the results into appropriate folders. The log of each run contains all the necessary information regarding the evolution, and can be easily analyzed further using ASCII text editors. The core modules of xlOptimizer have been used in many papers published in peer-reviewed international scientific journals and proceedings of international conferences. Special discount prices are also available for the academia.

You can get more information about real-life projects that were tackled by xlOptimizer here.

Please check the download section of our site.