ProsPecT is a business intelligence tool for creating optimized test campaigns (prototypes) and it is dedicated to the automotive industry.

 

Given the description of the test needs and a description of the constraints, ProSpecT will produce a collection of prototypes with precise characteristics covering all the test needs and will suggest a plan for completing these tests.

Through an iterative process, ProSpecT explores all possible combinations in order to find an optimum solution satisfying all the needs and constrains.

 

The technology Platform : What is it?
- An integrated environment composed of a standard set of components for quick design of decision support solutions for problems exhibiting the following type of characteristics:

• Naturally specified in terms of constraints (generic or domain dependent)
• A significant number of discrete decision variables

-Combinatorial optimisation
- An open framework that can be extended with new visualisation / edition components


Several solutions can be made based on that platform:
- New domain-specific components are developed and « plugged » on the platform for each application
- Examples: Timetabling, Scheduling, Projects portfolio optimisation…


Benefit of constraints-based modelling:
Declarative language: flexible, easy to maintain and to update by incrementally adding new constraints
Open architecture: toolbox of available constraints can be extended
Constraints impose conditions for valid domains of value for state variables of the model.
The Constraints Network propagate changes in the value of a state variables to the rest of the model: conflicts are detected and reported automatically.
Deals with the concept of hard and soft constraints.

 

Prior to launch of a new model, Automotive industry has to carry out a set of tests in a way to reduce risks and to meet all constraints requested by the design.
Each test has some specific requirements regarding the configuration of “prototypes” to be used.

The organisation of campaigns is performed under two types of constraints:

• Design constraints (e.g., incompatibilities of equipments on a same prototype, required equipments…), and
• Planning constraints (precedence rules, delays when changing location, …)

A test campaign typically involves about 400 tests, requiring about 70 prototypes.

Building of prototypes incur costs based on their specific design.

 

ProSpecT integrates all design and planning constraints in order to propose an optimized organisation for test campaigns in a way that maximises test coverage under budget constraints.