FuzzyXL

Fuzzy algebra add-in for MS Excel

www.itcsoftware.com© 2003 ITC Software

IntroductionFuzziness is an essential characteristic of nature. Each day we deal with tasks set in fuzzy terms:

how much fuel should I pour into the tank, if there are approximately 12 gallons in it already;

should I feed my dog now, if I think that with high probability my son did it before leaving for school;

do I need to change my tires for studded ones, if a long-term weather prognosis for winter says the winter could be quite cold and snowy, etc.

More important

There exist much more important fuzzy

tasks.

For example, when an earthquake

happens and a rescue team is preparing

to take off, they have only uncertain

information about the details of the

catastrophe.

Decision neededAt the same time definite decisions are very important, because more than 75% of victims could be rescued only within the few hours after the earthquake and the first plane should be loaded with the mostly needed in those circumstances specialists, machines and materials.

How to calculate the necessary amounts of this or that having only fragmentary and uncertain information?

We know the decision

There is no software or hardware instrument nowadays able to help solve this problem instantly and with reasonable accuracy.

The described task could be solved by MS Excel powered with the new abilities of FuzzyXL add-in.

Main IdeaMS Excel nowadays is a pretty big and quite stable software product. It already has all the main required features in it. Last MS Excel upgrades actually were focused on making it more comfortable and a bit different in design.

It is a kind of a challenge to invent something considerably new for MS Excel. The described add-in will really extend MS Excel functionality.

FuzzyXL add-in for MS Excel

This add-in is not a usual menu-oriented, mathematical or numerical add-in to MS Excel.

FuzzyXL add-in opens quite a new functional area and an area of interest for MS Excel users.

Presentation Plan

1. Market niche and possible users.

2. FuzzyXL description and example of use.

3. Summary.

Real need of fuzzy calculations

Usual software programs make calculations on a bit-oriented basis (yes-no, on-off, 1-0).

Real life is more complex, it deals with shades of gray.

Software understanding of such terms as “almost”, “few”, “enough”, etc. is needed now.

Market snapshot

Fuzzy calculations are now offered by highly specialized and complex mathematical and engineering software packages.

Market lacks a comparatively easy-to-use and quite powerful software tool for fuzzy calculations.

Fuzzy calculations are recognized as necessary

For specialists:

CEOsEconomists AccountantsEngineersScientists

and others

In the following fields of human activity:

BusinessEnvironment ProtectionRescue OperationsMedicineHousekeeping

and others

Fuzzy XL add-in for MS Excel

New add-in, distinct from all

existing add-ins, giving

considerably new functionality to

MS Excel.

FuzzyXL characteristics

Strong mathematical basis. All MS Excel functions for which fuzziness could be reasonable are made fuzzy (27 mathematical and 12 financial functions)

Proven development technology

Easy to install and easy to use. There are only a couple of removable additional buttons in MS Excel toolbar.

Example based on real facts

Let us consider the following situation.

An oil pipeline has been damaged. A hole appeared in the pipe and the oil was leaking through it during some period of time. It resulted in environmental damage.

A specialist in environment protection is to estimate the size of the damage.

The taskTo estimate the damage, first of all, the volume of oil spilled should be determined. There is a mathematical formula used by ecologists to calculate the value.

The problem is that some of the parameters in the formula are not known for sure in a real situation. We can only use uncertain estimations.

MS Excel with FuzzyXL add-in could be used to calculate the volume of the oil spilled.

First of all we determine that Time of Escape is not less than 4 hours and not more than 6, and its most probable number is 5 hours.

Hole Diameter is not less than 0.019 meters and not more than 0.021, and its closest number with equal probability could be 0.0192 meters and 0.0208 meters.

Hole Square is evaluated automatically. Now we are sure that it is not less than 0.000284 square meters and not more than 0.000346 square meters. With equal probability it could have any number from the range from 0.000292 to 0.000340 square meters.

Oil Escape Amount is evaluated automatically. It will most likely take on the number of 220.7188 cubic meter, and will never be less than 87.5 or more than 389 cubic meters.

So, the needed number is calculated successfully.

MS Excel becomes new remaining the same

FuzzyXL add-in gives to well-known MS Excel considerably new features leaving it absolutely recognizable.

MS Excel with FuzzyXL add-in begins to cover new areas of needs:

Fuzzy calculations for the CEO

Fuzzy calculations for the Economist

Fuzzy calculations for the Accountant

Fuzzy calculations for the Engineer

Fuzzy calculations for the Scientist

etc.

Summary

FuzzyXL is a new add-in distinct from all existing add-ins, giving considerably new functionality to MS Excel.

This new functionality meets real market need.

Summary

Adding considerable amount of new knowledge to MS Excel, FuzzyXL add-in leaves MS Excel recognizable and easy-to-use.

ITC Software is an advanced information technology solutions provider, focused on the global commercial and scientific markets.

With over 4047 software engineers in the Americas, Europe, Russia and Asia, and a host of world-renowned scientists at, inter alia, Harvard and MIT, ITC Software’s services range from research & development in finance, bioinformatics and FEA engineering, to cutting-edge custom software development and maintenance services in most industry verticals, to the turnkey establishment of Offshore IT Centers.

ITC Software has won numerous international awards and its centers are ISO 9001:2000 certified and CMMI level 4 pre-certified. Pricing is extremely competitive for both complex scientific applications such as bioinformatics and biomechanics, and commercial software development projects.

We hope you enjoyed our presentation !

Please call or email us, if you have any questions, need more information, would like to embark on a research project, or require software development services

Tel. +1 978 287 4855info@itcsoftware.com

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