What is hard constraint in SAP SCM-APO-OPT - Optimization?

SAP Term: hard constraint

• Component: SCM-APO-OPT

• Component Name: Optimization

• Description: Constraint that is not permitted to be violated during optimization-based planning in Supply Network Planning SNP. For example, a specific stock level must not be exceeded.

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• Key Concepts: 
  A hard constraint is a type of constraint used in SAP SCM-APO-OPT Optimization. It is a restriction that must be met in order for a solution to be considered valid. Hard constraints are typically used to ensure that certain conditions are met, such as the availability of resources or the satisfaction of customer demands. 
  
  How to use it: 
  Hard constraints can be used to limit the possible solutions that can be generated by an optimization algorithm. For example, if a company has limited resources, they can set a hard constraint on the number of resources that can be used in order to ensure that the solution is feasible. Similarly, if customer demands must be met, a hard constraint can be set to ensure that the solution meets those demands. 
  
  Tips & Tricks: 
  When setting hard constraints, it is important to ensure that they are realistic and achievable. If the constraints are too restrictive, it may not be possible to find a valid solution. Additionally, it is important to consider how the constraints interact with each other; if two constraints conflict with each other, it may not be possible to satisfy both of them. 
  
  Related Information: 
  Hard constraints are just one type of constraint used in optimization algorithms; other types include soft constraints and objective functions. Soft constraints are restrictions that should be met but are not required for a valid solution, while objective functions define the goal of the optimization process. Understanding how these different types of constraints interact is key to successful optimization.