Hi Mary,
Thank you for thinking of Pro Bono Analytics (PBA). Zahir and i talked about this project on his Committee call and decided it was not right for PBA, PBA focuses on projects for nonprofit organizations working for underserved populations or in underserved communities. Smart Lunches provides a valuable service, but it is a for-profit company that provides services to any community. As much as we would like to help them, the PBA Committee is trying to stay focused on our mission. I'd be glad to provide you with some examples of current PBA projects.
Thanks again,
Dave Hunt
Chair, Pro Bono Analytics Committee
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David Hunt
Oliver Wyman
Princeton NJ
Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2017 15:29
From: Mary Crissey
Subject: On behalf of a start-up looking for VRP help
Zahir,
Good to see you stepping forward and sharing a real world case study with our professional community.
I do hope you can convince SMART LUNCHES to join us - as they are in a growing industry that recognize our value as advanced analytical professionals to ensure they stay competitive.
Your post deserves applause - from CPMS The CPMS community of practicioners . How exciting for me - to see a true pure OR request - not simply general analytics. In order to improve vehicle routing, calls for implementation of optimization and OR in the pure sense -- networks and innovative real time technology combined with mathematical programming.
Since you mentioned that their budget is SMALL, I recommend you post it under the pro bono page
Volunteer Opportunities - INFORMS Pro Bono Analytics
thanks ! and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
mary grace crissey
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Mary Grace Crissey
Research Analyst
Analytic Focus ,LLC
San Antonio TX
Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2017 10:45
From: Zahir Balaporia
Subject: On behalf of a start-up looking for VRP help
As a member of the INFORMS Engagement with Organizations Committee, I connected with Smart Lunches (http://www.smartlunches.com/about_us), a high growth food delivery business that is interested in improving their current vehicle routing. They are not INFORMS members (yet J), so I offered to post this on their behalf.
Based on the information below, please contact Derren Spring-Connell (derren@smartlunches.com) directly if you are interested and able to assist.
Problem Summary
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Using "sharing economy" car/minivan capacity, Smart Lunches delivers hot and cold lunches to schools in multiple metro areas on a daily basis. Lunches are packed in returnable containers that must be cycled back to the food preparation hub periodically. Vehicles starting/ending locations are different from the pickup and delivery stops. Schools are added on a regular basis and the number of lunches at a school on any given day varies as well. There are time windows for when lunches are ready, and when schools require the lunches to be delivered. Current routing is done manually and has worked well, but as they scale up they are looking for improvement opportunities to reduce the cost per delivered lunch. Smart Lunches is a start-up, so project funding is understandably constrained.
Ideas for Assistance
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(1) Someone with route design/implementation experience who can guide them with ideas on improving current practices. Some modeling may be used to guide thinking and evaluate ideas, but the implementation would not use daily route optimization. Someone interested in a part-time engagement sounded like the ideal candidate. Ideally located near Boston, MA where Smart Lunches is based.
(2) A graduate student, or professor looking for a real world routing problem for their students, could get access to Smart Lunches' data and evaluate scenarios for them. Current thinking is that analyses would be pointed towards better policy decisions versus real time route optimization.
There are probably many other ideas beyond the two mentioned above. Again, if you are interested, please contact derren@smartlunches.com directly with your thoughts / ideas.
Regards,
Zahir
FICO Optimization
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