More on the team

"My primary interest is to develop solutions for problems, rather than looking for a problem to fit the solution I’ve developed."

“The nuances of the business world provide ample complexity for modeling and research, and provide (for me) a particular satisfaction in knowing that what I have developed and deployed is being used in daily operations in some corner of the world,” says Jayant. His research team developed the Production Design and Operations Scheduling (PDOS) suite of algorithms for the steel industry. A leading steel manufacturer was able to lower production costs and respond to new customer demands by applying these production design and operations optimization capabilities.

Jayant applied his expertise in advanced techniques from operations research, knowledge of primary steelmaking processes and artificial intelligence to optimize multiple aspects of the steel production process. His team is currently working on optimizing plate production for a major steel manufacturer, using algorithms that help minimize waste by selecting the correct pattern for production. In addition, the researchers have developed a sequencing technique that uses graph theory and artificial intelligence to maximize capacity at the steel caster – a process that significantly impacts the company’s ability to maximize customer satisfaction.

Jayant’s research interests lie in decision support, optimization, economics and their applications to electronic commerce. One project was strategic sourcing, which he describes as the process of identifying opportunities to streamline spending, evaluating potential suppliers, negotiating optimal contracts and continually managing supplier relationships to achieve corporate goals. It requires a holistic view that makes the entire sourcing process electronic, including creating requests for quotation, evaluating bids, negotiating, and implementing and filling orders. This process promises to reduce acquisition costs and improve the value.

When Jayant isn’t improving business decision making, he maximizes time spent with his family and listens to classical Indian music.