What is inside here?

This article is a summary of my posts over the last 1 1/4 years, featuring 50+ company case studies across various industries in Operations Research (OR), AI, Artificial Intelligence, Decision Intelligence, Planning AI, and Decision AI (or whatever you want to call it). Some also include Machine Learning (ML).

Why should I care?

Operations Research (OR) is one of the key technologies to get the most out of your company’s data.

It helps you make better decisions in your company, such as what to produce, how much inventory to acquire, which customers to serve, and more.

With the help of this technology, you can reduce costs, increase revenue, produce fewer emissions, and deliver better customer service.

It’s time to learn more about this technology.

What else do I need to know?

This is a living document, so I will continue to add more case studies. Each week, I try to post one additional case study, so by the end of the year, we will hopefully reach the 100th.

I have added keywords to each case study, so you can use Ctrl+F to search for specific use cases such as network design, vehicle routing, or production planning.

We cover various Industries like:

• Automotive

• Aviation

• Banking & Financial Markets

• Construction & Building

• Energy

• Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

• Healthcare

• Logistic & Transportation

• Manufacturing Industry

• Media

• Metals & Mining

• Online Services

• Pharmaceutical industry

• Process Industry

• Public Sector

• Space Industry

• Sports

• Telecommunication

Most common Applications:

Here, we list the most common applications. While there are likely many more and there is some overlap between categories, this provides a good sense of suitable applications.

(Production) Allocation:

Production allocation optimizes the distribution of limited resources, such as raw materials, labor, or machines, across multiple production processes or facilities to maximize efficiency or profitability.

Examples: Product Mix Planning, Fleet Allocation Planning, Workforce Allocation Planning

Scheduling:

Scheduling determines the optimal timing and sequence for tasks, activities, or resources to minimize delays, costs, or resource conflicts.

Examples: Production Scheduling, Workforce Scheduling, Bus/Rail Timetabling

Blending:

Blending optimizes the mixing of components to meet specific quality requirements or cost objectives, commonly used in industries like oil refining and food production (process industry).

Examples: Crude Oil Blending, Steel blending, Tea blending

Network Design / Facility Location:

Network design focuses on optimizing the configuration of supply chain, transportation, or communication networks to minimize costs and maximize reliability or service levels.

Examples: Supply Chain Network Design, Telecommunication Network Design

Layout planning:

Layout planning involves arranging physical spaces and resources within a facility to optimize workflow, efficiency, and resource utilization.

Examples: Factory Layout Planning, Warehouse Layout Planning, Retail Store Layout Planning

Flow Problems:

Optimizes the movement of resources (e.g., goods, information, traffic) through a network to maximize throughput or minimize costs while avoiding bottlenecks.

Examples: Shortest Path Problems, Min-Cut Problem for Finding Weakness in Networks, Internet Traffic Routing, Waste Water Routing

District Planning:

District planning involves dividing geographical areas into optimal zones or districts for purposes like electoral representation, resource allocation, or service delivery.

Examples: Postal Worker Area Optimization, Service Technician Planning, Sales Territory Planning

Pricing:

Pricing optimizes the setting of product or service prices to balance demand, revenue, and market competitiveness while maximizing profitability.

Examples: Retail Pricing, Flight pricing, Asset pricing

Vehicle Routing:

Vehicle routing determines the most efficient routes for a fleet of vehicles to minimize travel distance, costs, or delivery time while meeting customer demands and constraints.

Examples: Last-Mile Delivery Routing, Travel Cost Optimization for Service Technician Round Trips, Picker Routing Optimization Inside Warehouses

Inventory:

Inventory management involves determining optimal stock levels and reorder points to minimize costs related to storage, shortages, or excess inventory while ensuring service levels.

Examples: Supermarket Stock Levels, Supply Chain Stock Levels, Multi-echelon Inventory Optimization

Packing:

Determines the optimal way to fit items into containers or spaces (e.g., boxes, storage units) to maximize utilization or minimize waste.

Examples: Lot-Sizing, 3D Bin packing for Container Loading, Vessel Loading

Portfolio Optimization:

Allocates investments across different assets to maximize returns for a given level of risk, considering market conditions and investor preferences.

Examples: Stock Portfolio Optimization, Marketing Budget Spend Optimization, R&D Project Investment Spend Optimization

Now I wish you a lot of fun to look at the Case Studies.

Automotive

In the automotive industry, Operations Research (OR) helps coordinate production schedules, balance supply chains, and together with Machine Learning (ML) forecast demand accurately. It reduces wasted stock, improves quality, and ensures cars are built on time. By optimizing each step, companies save costs and deliver safer, better vehicles.

[Case Study] How Avis Europe Gains $19 Million with Better Fleet Utilization

Keywords: Automotive, Allocation, Rental Cars, Fleet Utilization, Pricing, Fleet Distribution

[Case Study] How Traxion Saves 5 Million $ with better Route Planning for their Bus Fleet

Keywords: Automotive, Route Planning, Vehicle Routing, Public, Bus Transport, Vehicle Routing, Driver Schedule

[Case Study] How Audi Turned a Three-Week Manual Planning Effort for Material Sequencing into an Automated Solution with AI-based

Keywords: Automotive, Allocation, Scheduling, Car Manufacturing, Production Planning, Material Sequncing

Aviation

Aviation relies on OR to plot the best routes, assign crew efficiently, and manage airport bottlenecks. It also helps minimize fuel costs and flight delays. These optimizations enhance safety, cut expenses, and keep passengers happy.

[Case Study] How KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Used AI-Based Planning to Transform Crew Planning from a Week-Long Process into a Matter

Keywords: Aviation, Allocation, Air planes, Aircraft Industry, Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling

[Case Study] How British Airways Revolutionized Fleet Replacement Decision-Making with AI-based Optimization

Keywords: Aviation, Allocation, Air planes, aircraft Industry, Fleet Selection, Fleet Growth, Airplane Buying

[Case Study] How Air France Saved $20,000,000$+ with AI-based Fleet Scheduling Optimization✈️

Keywords: Aviation, Scheduling, Air planes, Fleet Scheduling

Banking & Financial Markets

Banks and financial institutions use OR to weigh risks, price products fairly, and detect fraud early. It also helps them meet regulations while investing money wisely. Through better decision-making, they boost trust and stability for both customers and markets.

[Case Study] How Peru's largest Bank Boosted Revenue by 22% with Operations Research and Better Pricing Strategies

Keywords: Banking, Pricing, Credit & Debt Management

[Case Study] How the fintech company OneChronos Transformed Trading with Operations Research

Keywords: Financial Markets, Allocation, Smart Markets, Marketing Matching, Stock exchange

[Case Study] How Arute Solutions Revolutionized ATM Cash Management with Advanced Optimization

Keywords: Banking, Vehicle Routing, Cash Management, Cash Delivery, ATM Fill up

Construction & Building

In construction, OR refines scheduling, helps allocate resources, and controls costs. It makes sure the right materials and workers are available at the right time. This keeps projects on track, safe, and within budget.

[Case Study] How HESUS Reduced Full-Truckload Transportation Costs by 14% with AI-based optimization

Keywords: Construction & Building, Routing, Allocation, FTL Transporation, Drop-off and Pick-up Matching

Energy

Energy companies use OR and ML to predict power needs, manage grids efficiently, and incorporate green energy. It also guides how to allocate limited resources at lower costs. This ensures reliable energy supplies and more sustainable operations.

[Case Study] How Hitachi Improves Power Grid Efficiency with Operations Research

Keywords: Energy, Scheduling, Power plant, Grid, Unit Commitment, Power Production

[Case Study] Harnessing the Wind and Sun: How the 2011 earthquake led J-POWER to redefine energy management in Japan with Advanced Analytics

Keywords: Energy, Scheduling, Power Generation & Distribution, Energy utilization improvement

[Case Study] How Advanced Microgrid Solutions' AI Optimization Reduces the Energy bills by 5%-10%

Keywords: Energy, Scheduling, Energy Storage, Battery Charging and Discharging

[Case Study] How Alpiq Optimized Hydroelectric Power Management with Ai-based Optimization 🌊

Keywords: Energy, Scheduling, Hydro Power, Power Management

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

FMCG firms rely on OR and ML to forecast customer demand, manage stock levels, and optimize product distribution. It reduces waste and ensures goods reach stores at the right time. This helps keep shelves stocked and customers satisfied.

[Case Study] How Luca Makes Real-Time Price Optimization Possible for Retail Clients

Keywords: Retail, Pricing, Groceries

[Case Study] How 3663 Foodservice Cuts Costs and Improves Efficiency with Operations Research

Keywords: Food & Beverages, Transport, Last-Mile Vehicle Routing

[Case Study] How the Online Grocery Store Instacart Streamlined Deliveries with Better Order Fulfillment

Keywords: Online grocery delivery service, Finding storage location, Order Batching, Shopper Assignment, Vehicle Routing

[Case Study] How the Food Producer Pasco Shikishim Corporation optimized Its Global Supply Chain with Ai-Based Optimization

Keywords: Food & Beverages, Production Planning, Supply Chain Optimization, Allocation, Flow problem

[Case Study] How a French Frozen Food Retailer Saves 8% on cost-to-serve  with AI-based Optimization

Keywords: Food & Beverages, Network Design, Cost-to-Serve, Transportation Costs

[Case Study] How HelloFresh Revolutionized Menu Planning with AI-based Optimization Keywords: Food & Beverages, Meal-kit Delivery, Menu Selection, Nutrition Planning, Allocation

[Case Study] How Fonterra Revolutionized Dairy Production Planning with AI-based Optimization

Keywords: Food & Beverage, Milk Production, Yield Maximisation, Production Planning, Allocation

[Case Study] How DoorDash Accelerated Delivery Efficiency with Ai-based Optimization 🚚

Keywords: Transportation, Delivery Service, Driver Matching, Order Assignment, Vehicle Routing, Flow Problem

[Case Study] How Feldschlösschen is leveling up their beer production with AI🍺

Keywords: Food & Beverages, Beer production, Production Scheduling, Inventory Planning

📊 [Case Study] Never run out of chocolate with AI-optimized shipping schedules 🍫

Keywords: Food & Beverages, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Chocolate production, Shipment Schedules, Scheduling

[Case Study] How Procter & Gamble saves $10,000,000+ with AI-based Product Changeover Optimization 🛍️

Keywords: Retail, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Supermarkets, Product Changeover, Product Lifecycle, Scheduling

Healthcare

Healthcare providers use OR to schedule patient appointments, assign staff, and track supplies. It cuts waiting times and improves service quality by using resources more effectively. This helps deliver better patient care at a lower cost.

[Case Study] How Operations Research Helps Reduce Bladder Cancer Treatment Waiting Times by Up to 35 Days

Keywords: Healthcare, Bladder Cancer Treatment, Patient Flow Simulation, Process Improvement, Flow problem

[Case Study] How Operations Research Improved Kidney Transplants in the UK

Keywords: Healthcare, Donor Exchange, Donor Matching, Graph matching, Flow problem

[Case Study] How HENSE Revolutionized Healthcare Workforce Planning with System Dynamics Modeling

Keywords: Healthcare, Doctor Education, Strategic Demand Planning, Workforce Planning, Allocation

[Case Study] How São Paulo's Ambulance Service Revolutionized Emergency Response with Ai-based optimization

Keywords: Healthcare, Ambulance Distribution, Ambulance Placement, Reaction Times, Network Design

Logistic & Transportation

Logistics operations count on OR for efficient route planning, storage management, and delivery scheduling. This saves fuel, lowers costs, and reduces delays. As a result, customers get their orders faster and more reliably.

[Case Study] How Norway’s National Postal Service Saves Millions with Optimized District Networks

Keywords: Postal Service, District Planning, Territory optimisation

[Case Study] How Operations Research Helps Rideshare Provider Lyft Optimize Driver Incentives and Reduce End-to-End Process Time

Keywords: Ride Sharing, Transportation, Driver incentive, Optimal Routing, Vehicle Routing

[Case Study] How UPS optimized Last Mile Delivery with Operations Research

Keywords: Transport, Post, Last-Mile Vehicle Routing

Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturers use OR to plan production runs, reduce excess inventory, and uphold quality. It streamlines how machines and people work together, cutting down on delays. This boosts productivity, cuts costs, and ensures happy customers.

[Case Study] How SAP Uses Gurobi Optimization in Integrated Business Planning (IBP) for advanced analytics

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry, SAP; IBP, Integrated Business Planning, Production Network Optimization, Allocation

📊 [Case Study] Save the forest with better S&OP planning using AI 🌲

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry, S&OP, Sales & Operations Planning, Production Network Optimization, Allocation

Media

Media outlets turn to OR to place ads effectively, schedule content at the best times, and reach the right audience. Data-driven insights boost viewer or reader engagement and ad revenue. This ensures they deliver the right content to the right people.

[Case Study] How VIOOH Boosts Advertising Impact with Smart Panel Allocation

Advertisment, Market Matching, VIOOH, Allocation, Scheduling

[Case Study] Delivering 6 Million Newspapers Every Day: The Operations Research Strategy Behind Menzies’ Success!

Newspaper, Route planning, Vehicle Routing, Optimal Allocation, Distribution, Last-Mile Vehicle-Routing

[Case Study] How the largest French TV channel, TF1, optimized its advertisement planning with AI-based optimization 📺

Media, TV, Advertisment Planning, Advertisment Slot planning, Allocation

Metals & Mining

In metals and mining, OR refines the planning of mining sites, resource extraction, and equipment upkeep. It helps cut downtime and streamline transport. This leads to safer, more cost-effective operations and less environmental impact.

[Case Study] How Operations Research for Rail Operations Leads to 50% less overtime costs

Keywords: Metals & Mining, Driver Schedules, Transports, Rail, Train,  Rail haulage provider, Australia, Scheduling

[Case Study] How Ai helps saving 10'000'000$+/year for the Noble Group

Keywords: Transport, Metals & Mining, Ships, Barges, Scheduling

Online Services

Online services apply OR to handle server loads, forecast user demand, and personalize experiences. It ensures systems run smoothly even when traffic spikes. This means quicker page loads, better recommendations, and happier users.

[Case Study] How A Major US Dating Platform Boosted Matches by 27% with Operations Research

Keywords: Dating Platform, Assortment Optimization, Match Rates, Allocation

[Case Study] How Dropbox Streamlined Sales Territory Assignment Using Operations Research and Boosted Salesforce Efficiency

Keywords: Online Cloud Storage, Sales Territory Assigment, District Planning, Sales Force, District Planning

Pharmaceutical industry

Pharma companies use OR to speed up clinical trials, manage complex supply chains, and meet regulations. It cuts waste and gets medicines to patients faster. This lowers costs and improves global access to life-saving treatments.

[Case Study] How a Global Pharmaceutical Company Reduced Supply Chain Risks with Operations Research

Keywords: Pharmaceutical industry, Inventory planning, Risk mitigation, Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization, Allocation

[Case Study] How Johnson & Johnson Enhanced Supply Chain Efficiency with AI-based Optimization

Keywords: Pharmaceutical industry, Supply Chain, Inventory Reduction, Forecasting Improvement, Allocation

Process Industry

Process industries (like chemicals or food) rely on OR to balance production flows, maintain quality, and cut waste. It improves energy use and streamlines supply chains. This results in more efficient, safer, and eco-friendly processes.

[Case Study] How a Sugar Producer Estimated $8,000,000 in Savings Through Better Production Planning with Operations Research

Keywords: Process Industry, Sugar production, Production allocation, Yield increase

[Case Study] How one of the UK’s largest steel distributors John Parker & Son Turned Excess Steel Stock into Cash

Keywords: Process Industry, Steel production, Inventory optimization, Excess Stock

[Case Study] Tata Steel On Track To Save Millions In Production With AI Optimization

Keywords: Process Industry, Steel production, Coal Blending, Production Optimization

[Case Study] How ソフトバンク Enhanced LPG Delivery Efficiency by 25% with Ai-based optimization

Keywords: Process Industry, Last-Mile Vehicle Routing, LPG Delivery

[Case Study] How Shell Enhanced Plant Processing with AI-Based Optimization 🏭🛢

Keywords: Process Industry, Oil Production, Plant, Optimal Equipment Utilisation, Production Planning

Public Sector

Governments must wisely spend limited funds and plan services for citizens. OR methods help distribute resources, schedule services, and evaluate policy outcomes. This leads to better decisions and improved public well-being.

[Case Study] How the U.S. Department of Energy Advances Carbon Capture with Operations Research

Keywords: Public, Infrastructure Planning, Carbon Capture, Network Design

[Case Study] How the National Police Air Service Saves 14% with Optimized Aircraft and Base Locations

Keywords: Public, Aircraft Base Location, Network Design

[Case Study] How Obama’s Team Pioneered the Use of Big Data to Shape the Election of the World’s Most Powerful Leader

Keywords: Politics, Advertisment Allocation, TV slot planning, Scheduling, Allocation

[Case Study] How Italy's largest waste management company Increased Estimated Profits by 14% with Smarter Waste Flow Management

Keywords: Public, Waste Management, Waste Routing, Optimal Treatment, Flow problem

[Case Study] How the Port of Dover Optimized Traffic Flows with Discrete-Event Simulation and Data Analytics

Keywords: Ports, Bottleneck Planning, Growth Strategy, Process Optimization, Flow problem

Space Industry

Space missions use OR for better launch planning, resource allocation, and risk management. It fine-tunes everything from payload weight to orbital timing. With OR, space agencies can explore more effectively, safely, and within budget.

[Case Study] How GKN Aerospace Enhanced Heat Treatment Scheduling with Ai-based optimization

Keywords: Space Industry, Production Scheduling, Heat Treatment

🚀[AI Case Study] The material that brings us into space is

Keywords: Space Industry, Production Allocation, Production Shipment Planning

Sports

Sports organizations use OR to schedule games, analyze player performance, and price tickets. By managing resources and data smartly, they ensure fair competitions and keep fans excited. Teams also make better decisions to improve results on the field.

[Case Study] With 400,000,000 fans watching, how did a simple scheduling change revolutionize the South American World Cup qualifiers

Keywords: Sports, Football, Soccer, Sport Scheduling

Telecommunication

Telecom providers apply OR to design robust networks, manage bandwidth, and prevent overload. It also helps set fair pricing plans and keep customers happy. This leads to clearer calls, faster data, and a more reliable communication service.

[Case Study] How AT&T Saves Hundreds of Millions with Rapid Network Restoration

Keywords: Telecommunication, Network Design, Optimal Coverage, Network Resilience

[Case Study] How Bouygues Telecom Streamlined Network Design with AI-Based Optimization

Keywords: Telecommunication, Network Design, Optimal Coverage, Network Resilience, Network Growth

[Case Study] How Hexvarium Optimized Fiber Network Design with AI-Based Optimization 🌐

Keywords: Telecommunication, Network Planning, Internet Fiber Placement, Network Design