The Premium Solver products are all upward compatible extensions
of the standard Microsoft Excel Solver, with much greater problem
solving capacity, much greater speed, many new diagnostic and user
interface aids, and the ability to solve entirely new kinds of
problems -- including conic optimization,
global optimization, non-smooth
optimization,
and constraint satisfaction problems. Your spreadsheet models
and VBA macros designed for the standard Excel Solver with work
as-is with any member of the Premium Solver product family.
The Premium Solver V8.0 handles up to 2,000
variables for LP problems -- ten times the capacity of the
standard Excel Solver, and double the capacity of previous
Premium Solver versions. The Premium Solver Platform V8.0
is upward compatible
from the Premium Solver. It handles up to 8,000 variables for
LP problems -- forty times the capacity of the standard Excel
Solver, and quadruple the capacity of previous Premium Solver
Platform versions! And the Premium Solver Platform supports our full set of field-installable Solver engines for unlimited expansion
potential. The table below compares the capacity, speed, features
and price of the Premium Solver products.
| FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE |
Standard Excel Solver |
Premium Solver |
Premium Solver Platform |
| Psi
Technology: |
|
|
|
| Find linear, nonlinear, nonsmooth formulas,
scaling problems |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Determine whether model is convex |
No |
No |
Yes |
| "Linearize" IF, MIN, MAX, ABS,
logical and comparison formulas |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Find linear and nonlinear formulas that
depend on uncertainty |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Create stochastic programming deterministic
equivalent model |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Create robust counterpart model for
stochastic LP problems |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Built-in Engines: |
|
|
|
| Simplex Linear Solver |
LP Only |
LP Only |
LP/Quadratic |
| GRG Nonlinear Solver |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (faster) |
| Mixed-Integer Solver |
Yes |
Yes (fast) |
Yes (faster) |
| Evolutionary Solver |
No |
Yes |
Yes (faster) |
| Interval Global Solver |
No |
No |
Yes |
| SOCP Barrier Solver |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Field-Installable Solver Engines |
No |
No |
All Engines |
| Problem Size: |
|
|
|
| Linear Variables x Constraints |
200 x 200 |
2000 x 1000 |
8000 x 8000 |
| Nonlinear Variables x Constraints |
200 x 100 |
400 x 200 |
500 x 250 |
| Non-Smooth Variables x Constraints |
N/A |
400 x 200 |
500 x 250 |
| Integer Constraints on Variables |
200 |
1000 |
2000 |
| Solver Engine Variables x Constraints |
N/A |
N/A |
Unlim x Unlim |
| Speed (approximate): |
|
|
|
| Problem Setup |
1X |
1-50X |
2-100X |
| Linear Problems |
1X |
3X |
20X |
| Nonlinear Problems |
1X |
1X |
7-15X |
| Mixed-Integer Problems |
1X |
10-20X |
10-200X |
| Non-Smooth Problems |
N/A |
1-10X |
1-10X |
| Solver Engines (On Various Problems) |
N/A |
N/A |
10-1000X |
| Variables and Constraints: |
|
|
|
| Normal Decision Variables |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Recourse Decision Variables |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Normal, Integer, and Binary Constraints |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Semi-continuous Constraints |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| All-different Constraints |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Second Order Cone Constraints |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Chance Constraints (VaR, CVaR, USet) |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Global Optimization: |
|
|
|
| Non-Smooth Problems (Evolutionary) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Nonlinear Problems (Multistart) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Nonlinear Problems (Interval Global) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Solver Engines (Several Approaches) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Simulation Optimization: |
|
|
|
| Works with Risk Solver |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Built-in chance constraints and risk measure
objectives |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Solver Engines for Simulation Optimization |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Advanced Stochastic Optimization: |
|
|
|
| Solve stochastic programming deterministic
equivalent model |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Solve robust counterpart model for stochastic
LP problems |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Automatically adjust chance constraints in
robust optimization |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Constraint Programming and Conic
Optimization: |
|
|
|
| Built-In Engines (alldifferent constraints) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Built-In Engines (second order cone constraints) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Solver Engines (alldifferent and cone constraints) |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Solver Reports: |
|
|
|
| Answer Report |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sensitivity Report |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Limits Report |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Linearity Report |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Feasibility Report |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Population Report |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Report Outlining |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Block Selection and Comments |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Solutions Report |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Scaling Report |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Structure/Convexity Report |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Transformation Report |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Uncertainty Report |
No |
No |
Stochastic Edition |
| Solver Engine Custom Reports |
No |
No |
Yes |
