Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Researchers at Cardiff University have developed a computer algorithm based on the behavior of honeybees that can help businesses optimize their processes. The first thing that struck me about that idea is that these brilliant researchers are at the cutting edge of computer science, and they are getting there by studying something that everyone else ignores, or abhors… bees.
“Experimental results show that the algorithm succeeds in finding the absolute optimal result in all cases. That is, it always finds the location in n-space that produces the tallest local maximum of the optimization parameter without becoming trapped in a less optimal local maximum.” – Manufacturing.net
What? N-Space? Optimization whatnow? I know, I know. It’s pretty heady stuff, but there’s a simpler way to explain what they found.
Scout bees search randomly for the best flower patches to find nectar, then report back to the hive. The hive then deploys the MOST worker bees to the BEST flower patches, and sends the scouts out to search near THAT flower patch. However, they never stop randomly searching either, in case they’ll find BETTER patches. In the meantime, the worker bees report on the amount of nectar left in their assigned flower patch every time they report back to the hive. As soon as a different flower patch is “better” than the one they’re currently working on, resources are re-routed to that patch. Through a simple pattern, the hive makes sure that it’s always doing 3 things:
- The scouts are always looking for the best place to find nectar.
- There are always MORE workers deployed to the BEST spots to find nectar.
- The scouts and workers are continuously re-routed as the environment changes.
For anyone involved in manufacturing or other complex business processes, you can see how implementing this kind of algorithm can drastically improve nearly any process. In case studies, they’ve shown that the algorithm can find the optimal result in scenarios with as many as 3,000 variables!
If you’re a smaller business, you’re probably not ready to use bee algorithms, but it does go to show that you can find solutions to problems in unconventional places if you’re willing to look and learn.
Manufacturing.net article about the algorithm:
http://www.manufacturing.net/ctl/article/CA6370343.html?spacedesc=latestNews
Video presentation from Cardiff University:
http://conference.iproms.org/the_bees_algorithm_a_novel_tool_for_complex_optimisation_problems
Posted by Brad Fallon on Thursday, September 28th, 2006 at 11:43 am 
It sure would be nice to have an army of researchers always looking for the newest “Ipod” before it becomes mainstream.
Or even better yet, it would be nice to have the algorithm updated to help find the songs better in my Ipod.
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Actually Brad,
Even small businesses, especially home based businesses can really use the concepts. The whole algorithm may not apply – but you can look for ways to shorten steps in the process.
I read a report the other day that said to set up a video camera in your work area so that it can film most of what you do. Then review it to see where you are wasting steps.
The way our offices are laid out, our pack table is not in the same area with the products. We are trying to put in place a pick routine with baskets to reduce the number of steps it takes to fill an order.
When you’re in a “comfortable” environment it’s easy to disregard such things – but if you worked in a “real warehouse” you would be incensed to go into “another part” of the building to pull stock and then come back to your work station to fill it.
Even though we’re in a small environment, I have actually considered adding a roller system and rack shelving – so as we expand the transition will already be in place.
Thanks for the article and information as always!
- Michelle
Why flick a bic when you can own the best american lighter ever made? You know the one, Zippo lighters have a lifetime guarantee.
Hey Brad,
My wife has tons of flowers that she has planted in the front yard and back yard and we have ton of bees that come around.
Here I have been trying to get them away when I should have been paying attentiong to them.
Maybe I’ll tag a bee and track them next time they come around.
BTW cool stuff you have here.
-Mical Johnson
So the part of the interview tht missing. Well missing may be a little harsh – but something that we know about bees is that they pollinate, right? However they don’t just wake up one day and say my gift to the world is pollination – they are in it for the honey, not to give the world food.
But the by product of their actions, create new life, baby pollen is flecked from plant to plant germinating it. AND as they improve their function of gathering honey and working – wouldn’t they also improve their personalized gift – by improving the impact of their ripple effect?
They pollinate, pollination means that farmers get more crops, more crops mean more jobs and more food, and it improves the economy and the quality of life, cause we’re not starving.
Strange that it’s all better because a bee’s innate gift is to improve their efficiency.
Just my 2 cents… and If you want to improve your gift giving you should check out these personalized gift baskets, you’ll “Bee” glad you did.
Stomp On!
Thanks for always looking for thought provoking ideas…
Have you thought about baby sunglassesfor those new babies of yours? I just bought a pair for my niece, and she thinks they’re the bomb. Better than baby banz, too.
Mich
say brad, congrats on your stomper launch.
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On a serious note though, the biggest problem with bee searching, is they have trouble getting enough power up to depress the keyboard keys.
-Tom
Jump Higher
It’s amazing how much bees and babies have in common.
And with Christmas holiday just around the corner, Cheap Christmas Present is only the minds of all shoppers for the holidays.
algorithm? will it help me pick a better stock? i’ll retire my monkey:)
skid steer
Hi Brad,
Thanks for the great resource as usual. You’ve been a great help and inspiration!
Thanks again.
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Well, we don’t say busy as a bee for nothing now do we!
Current Stomper and loving it Brad!
It’s similar to when we do all our little test with how we place our ads, how we place our adsense, etc… Now, if only I had 1000 workers working for me to figure out what is the best placement of all our little conversion tactics. That would be nice.
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Aerodynamically bees should not be able to fly, but they do! Further proof that anything is possible.
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Very True, we need to think outside of the box as a smaller business, and be willing to try new ideas.
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