SOLVER FOR LOTUS 1-2-3 97 EDITION, FROM FRONTLINE SYSTEMS INC. ------------------------------------------------------------- You can use the file SOLVE123.EXE in this directory to install a limited-use trial version of a new Solver add-in for Lotus 1-2-3 97 Edition. This add-in, which replaces the Solver in previous versions of 1-2-3, is a what-if analysis tool that you can use to find answers to problems that you define, using constraint formulas and an objective formula to be maximized or minimized. The Solver add-in was developed and is supported by Frontline Systems Inc. This README file covers the following topics: 1. Installing the Solver 2. Getting Help 3. What is the Solver Good For? 4. Upgrading from the Solver in 1-2-3 Release 5 INSTALLING THE SOLVER --------------------- To install the new Solver, simply run the program SOLVE123.EXE on the computer where you have installed 1-2-3 97 Edition. You can double-click the filename SOLVE123.EXE in Windows Explorer, or select Run from the Start menu and type or browse to the path of SOLVE123.EXE. You don't have to specify anything further: Just click the Setup button, then the OK button when prompted. SOLVE123.EXE is a "self-extracting archive" which creates a Solver subdirectory within your 1-2-3 directory (for example, c:\lotus\123\solver) and copies the necessary files into this subdirectory. It then registers the Solver add-in (filename SOLVER.12A) to auto-load whenever you start 1-2-3. To use the Solver add-in from 1-2-3 97 Edition, select Range, Analyze, Solver to display the main Solver Parameters dialog. Click the Help button on this dialog to access extensive how-to information about the Solver (see "Getting Help" below). After you install the Solver, you'll also see a sample workbook SOLVSAMP.123 in your Recently Used Files List when you start 1-2-3: You can open this workbook, solve the problems on any of the six predefined application worksheets (sheets B through G), and practice setting up a Solver problem on worksheet A. If you have problems with registration or auto-loading of the Solver after the installation, double-click on the filename SOLVER.HLP in the Solver subdirectory, and consult the section "Custom Installation". If you were unable to run SOLVE123.EXE, you can extract the Help file SOLVER.HLP from the archive file SOLVE123.EXE using a program such as WinZip or PKZIP. To deactivate the Solver, select File, Add-Ins, Manage Add-Ins, then click on the check mark next to the filename SOLVER.12A so that the check mark disappears. Then click Done. To remove the Solver add-in completely from your system, use the Manage Add-Ins dialog Remove button to remove the filename SOLVER.12A, then delete the Solver subdirectory and all the files it contains. GETTING HELP ------------ Frontline Systems offers telephone technical support for the Solver on a fee basis, and also maintains an extensive World Wide Web support site which you can access free of charge. Lotus Customer Support also offers some information about the Solver, though not in the same depth as the Solver developers, Frontline Systems. Most questions can be answered from the Solver's online Help, or by consulting Frontline's Web site. We encourage you to use the free resources first! To learn about Solver licensing and telephone technical support, click on the Help button in the Solver Parameters, Solver Options or Solver Results dialog. You will see a dialog box which reports the status of your Solver license: If you are using the trial version, this dialog shows how many problem solution attempts (clicks of the Solve button) remain before the trial license expires. If you have purchased a permanent license, it shows your user name and registration serial number. To purchase a permanent license, click the Register button. Also included in this dialog is telephone support and Web site information. Click the Help button in this dialog to reach the Solver Help file. If you have access to the World Wide Web via the Internet, you will find a wealth of current information about the Solver -- over 70 pages at this writing -- at Frontline Systems' Web site, http://www.frontsys.com Since this site is frequently updated, it is well worth while to check it periodically for the latest news about the standard and enhanced Solvers. If you can't find the answer you need, you can send email to Frontline Systems directly from your Web browser with a single mouse click. Or, if you're using a separate email system, send it to: info@frontsys.com To reach Frontline Systems by phone, fax, or mail, please use: Frontline Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 4288 Incline Village, NV 89450, USA Tel (702) 831-0300 Fax (702) 831-0314 WHAT IS THE SOLVER GOOD FOR? ---------------------------- The Solver is especially useful for resource allocation problems. The resources may be raw materials, people or equipment time, money, or anything else in limited supply. The decision variables represent the amounts of resources, and the constraints quantify the limits on their use. The Solver finds the allocation of resources that will maximize profit or minimize cost, while satisfying the constraints. The workbook SOLVSAMP.123, which is installed with the Solver when you run SOLVE123.EXE, shows you how to: * Assemble products from parts in inventory so as to maximize profits * Ship goods from plants to regional warehouses at minimum cost * Schedule employees to meet demand at an amusement park while minimizing cost * Invest cash monthly in short-term certificates of deposit to maximize interest income * Allocate funds to stocks in a portfolio to maximize return for a given level of risk The Solver uses the methods of linear programming, nonlinear programming, and integer programming to find optimal solutions. You'll find more information on these topics in the Solver Help system, accessed by clicking the Help button in any of the Solver dialogs. UPGRADING FROM THE SOLVER IN 1-2-3 RELEASE 5 -------------------------------------------- Capabilities: The new Solver provides linear and nonlinear optimization capabilities similar to those of the Solver in 1-2-3 Release 5. It also handles problems with integer constraints, which allow users to include features such as fixed costs and yes/no decisions (such as whether to build a new plant) in their models. Problem Size: Unlike the 1-2-3 Release 5 Solver, which had no fixed limits on problem size, the new Solver has a fixed upper limit of 200 decision variables, and 100 constraints for nonlinear problems. But you will be able to solve problems on most modern PCs all the way up to this limit, which in practice is substantially larger than the 1-2-3 Release 5 Solver could handle in the same amount of memory and allowed solution time. If you need to solve larger problems, contact Frontline Systems about enhanced versions of the Solver with more capacity and speed. Converting Models: Solver models created in 1-2-3 Release 5 may be easily converted into the form required by the new Solver. Just follow these steps: Open your 1-2-3 Release 5 worksheet containing a Solver problem. Select Range, Analyze, Solver to display the Solver Parameters dialog. Type or select the objective (cell to be maximized or minimized) and the range of adjustable, or variable cells. Then click the Add button to add constraints. In the Cell Reference edit box, select the range of constraint formula cells in your 1-2-3 Release 5 model, then click OK without selecting anything else. The new Solver will separate your constraint formulas into their "left hand sides", relations (<=, =, >=) and "right hand sides" automatically. NOTE: This can only be done once, since your constraint formulas are modified in the process! Converting Macros: If you have written 1-2-3 macros employing commands such as {SOLVER-DEFINE} to control the 1-2-3 Release 5 Solver, you'll find that the new Solver supports the same commands, with a few changes in the arguments. The new Solver also sports a complete programmable interface for LotusScript, which will be the preferred approach for implementing new applications. NOTE: The macro commands are best used as a transition aid -- you are strongly encouraged to convert your applications to LotusScript!