| The advantage of using and other spreadsheets like it are that they offer their users the ability to analyze LP problems using built-in problem solving tools. Excel uses a tool named Solver to find the solutions to linear programming related problems, and integer and noninteger programming problems. Solver is limited to 200 changing cells each with two constraints and up to 100 additional constraints. These capabilities make Solver suitable for the solution of complex, real-world problems. Excel has the flexibility to add or delete rows, columns and constraints. It is good for a presentation because it has a table format and an explanation or description can be written next to objective and subjective functions. You can set up your own format, and there is no need to buy additional software program if MS office is available. |
| The limitation of Excel and other spread sheets are that they have lot of features, but most of the features will probably be of little value to the majority of users. Sometimes it is difficult to set up the formation for a sophisticated case. Using Solver in Solving LP Problems depends on an algorithmic approach to the optimal solution set. It operates using a series of rules and computations to search for and approximate the optimal solution. Solver may require the user to adjust the rules it uses.Additionally, Solver may be sensitive to the initial values it uses to search for the final solution. |
| QM for windows is easy to use and define. It is designed specifically for equations. It also provides a complete solution that is fully documented and graph for ease of support and maintenance. The right choice will provide an optimum return on an investment and flexibility for the future. |
| The weakness of QM is that it is not useful for presentation, due to the standard set up formation and it has limited functionality. In addition, you need to purchase the software. Also, if the problem has more than two variables, then the software couldn’t provide you with graph. |
