Patent Document ID: 20050119768
Application ID: 10904365
Patent Flag: 0

Claim One:
1. A method for conveniently and timely, satisfying the selected objective function by optimizing the production resources and production schedule of continuous and semi-continuous manufacturing facilities comprising: utilizing a customizable software application and computerized system to perform the following steps: configure a mathematical model of a manufacturing facility in terms of its major process departments, utilities and raw materials; and configure a mathematical model of selected major process departments in terms of their major process equipment; and configure a mathematical model of selected major process equipment; and configure a mathematical model of flows between major process departments and between selected major process equipment; and configure a mathematical model of purchased utility contracts; and configure all the mathematical models into a matrix to provide an optimized solution to a defined objective function; and enter default attributes for the major departments and major equipment, such as minimum and maximum capacity, preferred operating rates, etc.; and create a data transfer interface between the invention's software application and the facility's Management Information System (MIS); and enter current material and utility costs, department operating rates, inventory levels, and temporary process constraints into the invention's software application; and run a mathematical equation matrix solver software; and execute a gap analysis of the optimized results to the actual operation; and store the optimized results from the solver software and the gap analysis results; and electronically export the optimized results, the gap analysis and recommended corrective actions to the facility's MIS and/or print these as hard copy reports.