A hybrid method for optimization scheduling groups of jobs

This study deals with modelling and optimization of handling jobs (orders) in groups. All jobs in a group should be delivered at the same time after processing. The authors present a novel hybrid method, which includes the modelling and optimization of the problem in the hybrid environment composed of MP (Mathematical Programming) and CLP (Constraint Logic Programming). Due to the large complexity of the optimization problem, dedicated heuristic is also proposed instead of MP. The paper also presents an author's model for optimization scheduling groups of jobs. The model has been implemented in several environments: Hybrid (CLP/MP), Hybrid (CLP, heuristic), MP and heuristic. The obtained results of numerical experiments confirm the high efficiency and usefulness of the hybrid approach to optimize such problems.