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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our software, services, and solutions. From technical support to licensing, features, and best practices, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of FAQs to assist you.

About AIMMS

Know more about AIMMS as a company.

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Getting Started

Learn the basics of using AIMMS. Perfect for new users ready to dive in.

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Optimization Tooling

Discover how our tooling empowers you to build complex optimization applications.

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SC Navigator

Explore SC Navigator, a network design application designed to optimize your supply chain.

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Resources & Support

Access a wealth of resources to help you make the most of AIMMS.

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About AIMMS

AIMMS is a supply chain optimization and scenario modeling software company with offices in the Netherlands, the United States, and Singapore. AIMMS has been around for over 35 years providing a powerful modeling, optimization, and analytics platform.

No, AIMMS is not a traditional programming language.

AIMMS stands for Advanced Interactive Multidimensional Modeling System. AIMMS is a modeling language and platform specifically designed for optimization and decision support.

While it involves elements of programming-like constructs, AIMMS is primarily a modeling environment where users can build mathematical optimization models visually. Users can create models using a declarative approach, specifying the relationships and constraints without delving into low-level programming details. This visual modeling capability makes AIMMS accessible to users with diverse backgrounds, including those without extensive programming experience.

AIMMS provides a comprehensive suite of products to address various modeling, optimization, and decision-making needs.

The primary product is the AIMMS Platform for rapid modeling and app development of mathematical optimization applications. It allows advanced users to develop optimization-based applications in-house or with our partners and deploy them to business users.

AIMMS also offers a pre-configured, SaaS application called SC Navigator. SC Navigator is an off-the-shelf application developed on the AIMMS Platform for supply chain network design. This application enables comapnies to make strategic and tactical supply chain decisions by providing analytics tailored for users without advanced expertise.

Getting Started

Yes, the AIMMS Modeling Platform is free to use for academic and personal use.

AIMMS offers free and flexible personal, academic, and commercial licensing options.

If you are from the academic circle (students, teachers, professors, and researchers), AIMMS offers a Free Academic License that is an unrestricted Platform license at no charge. Apply here.

If you are looking to use the software for personal use or if you are a customer, AIMMS offers a Free Community Edition License that includes access to the open-source solvers CBC (for linear and mixed-integer problems), and IPOPT (for nonlinear problems), as well as the AOA solver (for mixed-integer nonlinear problems). Apply here.

To discover more about our licensing options, check out our Licensing Center.

If you are a company looking for a Commercial License for the AIMMS Platform, contact our sales team.

To download AIMMS, visit our Download Center. Follow the instructions provided to access the appropriate version for your needs, whether it is the free Developer or PRO edition or a trial/licensed version.

Additionally, you will find resources like license requirements and documentation to assist you throughout the download process.

AIMMS Platform

Optimization Tooling, built on the AIMMS modeling language, is a powerful tool designed for data scientists, operations researchers, and analytics professionals.

AIMMS offers a configurable and scalable environment for building and deploying decision support applications, enhancing efficiency and decision-making processes.

AIMMS Development & Deployment

Not really. The tool is designed to be accessible to users without extensive coding experience. While basic programming knowledge can be helpful but its visual modeling interface simplifies the process of creating optimization models, making it user-friendly for a broad audience.

Both AIMMS and Python have their merits and are championed by dedicated user communities, but they represent distinct approaches to the field of mathematical optimization.

AIMMS is a specialized modeling language crafted explicitly for intricate mathematical optimization models. However, AIMMS is more than just a modeling language; it shines as a low-code platform, seamlessly integrating crucial features necessary to convert these models into fully operational end-user applications. Explore more in the blog below.

AIMMS vs. Python for Mathematical Optimization

AIMMS supports a range of optimization algorithms, including linear programming, mixed-integer programming, nonlinear programming, and constraint programming. Users can choose the most suitable algorithm based on the nature of their optimization problem.

AIMMS offers several high-performance solvers to work with various mathematical model types (Linear, Mixed Integer, Nonlinear, Mixed Integer Nonlinear programming, and more).

Solvers offered by AIMMS are BARON, CONOPT, GUROBI, Knitro, COPT, PATH, CP Optimizer, and many more.

The standard license of AIMMS includes the world-class CPLEX solver. Of course, the set of solvers available in a license can be extended by other commercial solver add-ons.

See all the available solvers here.

Yes, it is absolutely possible. AIMMS facilitates seamless integration with external tools, databases, and systems through APIs and connectors. This allows users to import data, export results, and integrate AIMMS into their existing software ecosystem, enhancing the overall workflow. For more details, check out the link below.

AIMMS Integrations

Yes, AIMMS offers robust support for cloud deployment. Users have the flexibility to leverage cloud infrastructure for hosting and running their AIMMS applications.

This capability enables organizations to benefit from the scalability, accessibility, and collaboration features, making it convenient for users to deploy and manage their optimization models in a cloud environment. For more details, check out our documentation below.

Cloud Platform Documentation

SC Navigator

SC Navigator is a pre-configured supply chain design application developed using Optimization Tooling. It is a SaaS application that offers strategic network design functionality, tactical planning, and, sustainability & risk modules that can be added as businesses evolve.

In short, it is an application for supply chain network design and strategic planning that delivers analytics tailored to users without advanced expertise.

Your company will typically need a network design application when you face challenges or seek optimization opportunities related to supply chain and logistics operations. Here are some scenarios when a network design application becomes essential:

  • What-if – Test and create scenarios for business continuity and act proactively in case of disruptions.
  • Distribution Footprint – Where should the distribution assets be located, how many should there be.
  • Mergers & Acquisitions – To find synergies when combining networks.
  • Allocation – How to best allocate resources to allow for optimal service levels and minimize costs.
  • De-risking – Nearshoring vs offshoring
  • Transportation – Optimize the cost and service of different modes of transport.
  • Cost to Serve – Determine and optimize the costs to meet customer demand.
  • Finished Goods – Model and optimize your finished goods supply chain.
  • Complexity Reduction – Streamlining networks.
  • Technology Upgrades – Implementing new technologies, such as automation or advanced analytics.

We agree Excel/Spreadsheets still dominate planning in the supply chain because they are familiar, inexpensive, and convenient. But spreadsheets pose serious setbacks for organizations:

  • They are error-prone.
  • They are practically never integrated with other systems.
  • They are not updated automatically.
  • The logic behind them is often only clear to those who create them and often dies when somebody leaves, making collaboration difficult.
  • Analyses are often slow given that you can only work with a certain amount of data.
  • Version control is hard.
  • Has its limits in terms of handling complexity and large data sets.

If you’re frequently revisiting complex network design questions or feel you’re missing opportunities, it might be time for advanced tools. Several of our customers decided to retire their spreadsheets in exchange for more robust and collaboration-friendly solutions like SC Navigator.

AIMMS SC Navigator offers built-in optimization and scenario modeling to help you stay ahead.

Why you can no longer design your supply chain network with Excel?

Having been around for over 35 years, we’ve invested more than a million hours into building the best supply chain modeling platform in the business.

With SC Navigator, we offer:

  • Intuitive data model – Our data model is designed around Supply Chain entities you will recognize, like customers, warehouses, suppliers, production, and transport lanes.
  • Control panel for quick scenario creation – We’re making the Network Design process quick, seamless, and easy for typical users by distilling years of experience into our Control Panel.
  • Easy error support – SC Navigator simplifies error detection and correction. Our data validation checks all uploaded datasets and clearly explains any errors.
  • Preconfigured results visualization – We offer configured dashboards on all the key supply chain areas so that you can view the results such as tables, graphs, and maps without lifting a finger.
  • Personalized support and implementation – We guide you through the process of initiating your initial project, making sure your setup with AIMMS begins without any problems. We schedule personalized one-on-one training sessions and provide coaching led by a product expert.

Lastly, our technology is agile. It adapts to changes in market conditions fast and carries far less redundant functionality, so it’s easier to maintain.

Know why global companies choose SC Navigator

The latest version of SC Navigator has several key features and enhancements aimed at providing users with a powerful and user-friendly experience. Some of the key features of the latest AIMMS version include:

  • Template-Attributes
  • Whiteboard
  • Bill of Material
  • Roundtrip Functionality
  • Compare Scenarios
  • Count and Ratio Constraints
  • Center of Gravity
  • Risk Analysis
  • Trade-Off Analysis

…and of course, more. See here the entire list of features – SC Navigator Features.

Regular updates and new features are continually introduced to ensure that the application remains at the forefront of supply chain design.

The optimal frequency for updating network designs will vary depending on the specific circumstances and priorities of each company. By proactively monitoring market dynamics, responding to business changes, and leveraging data-driven insights, companies can determine the most appropriate cadence for updating their network designs. This will help companies to support strategic objectives and maintain competitiveness in a dynamic business environment.

AIMMS offers competitive pricing that is tailored to meet the unique requirements of each user. Since SC Navigator is a SaaS application, pricing can vary based on the scope of usage. SC Navigator operates on a modular basis, ensuring that you solely pay for the features and functionalities that you need.

To get accurate pricing information that aligns with your specific needs and circumstances, we recommend filling out the demo form below.

Get in touch to schedule a demo.

Resources & Support

If you need help with licensing or in case of any issues, please write to us at [email protected].

To view current opportunities, please visit our careers page. If you don’t see any open positions or a position that matches your skills, feel free to submit your resume for future consideration.

Careers at AIMMS

AIMMS offers extensive support through documentation, a knowledge base, a community, and a dedicated support team. Users can find tutorials, sample models, and engage with the community to get assistance and share insights. See below:

Yes, AIMMS offers a vibrant user forum known as AIMMS Community where individuals can discuss specific issues, seek advice, and exchange insights with fellow professionals and academics.

You will also find regular updates and announcements related to new features, product enhancements, upcoming events, and other relevant news on the community platform. Check out the link below.

We're here for you - AIMMS Community

Yes, AIMMS offers comprehensive training resources for individuals looking to learn and enhance their skills with AIMMS Modeling Platform and Supply Chain Design.

AIMMS recently introduced the all-new E-learning Center. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced user seeking to deepen your knowledge, there’s something for everyone in the AIMMS E-learning Center. The courses cover various topics catering to different skill levels and specific use cases. Check out the E-learning center and enroll today.

AIMMS E-learning Center

All our courses are completely free of charge.

Yes, you will receive a certificate upon completion of courses. These certificates serve as tangible proof of your skills and proficiency with AIMMS, which you can proudly showcase on your professional profiles.

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