Our work
We think hard and creatively to offer our clients the best solution to fit their problem's requirements.
Our aim is to create value through system engineering. For us this means:
- capturing objectives in terms of the desired system-level or component behaviour
- creating mathematical models of the system and its components; analysing these models to understand behaviour and performance
- supporting the validation of system performance and the verification that the system meets its objectives.
From system engineering to systems' components, the Smith Institute elaborates system design and network design, creates models of the real world, conducts performance analysis, and gives guidance on risk management and risk assessment.
Model delivery, system design and bespoke algorithms
All of our clients face challenges with individual requirements. The Smith Institute offers bespoke solutions to our clients’ problems. Our approach is to exploit and develop relevant mathematical techniques to deliver fresh ideas in ways that are easy to embed in our clients’ businesses.
We help companies solve important business and technical problems by working closely with them to capture the exact requirements and understand the system-level environment.
Systems need to be designed to ensure the interactions between components respond in the anticipated way. Our approach to system design is to abstract the system to a form which is amenable to mathematical treatment, and build a modelling framework of the system to allow levels of increasing complexity, scenarios and trade-offs to be explored. We make the most of the highly transferable nature of mathematics, exploiting models from one sector or application in other very different applications.
We deliver bespoke algorithms to our clients in wide ranging applications of modelling, analysis, simulation, optimisation and control. We implement the solution in our clients’ operating environments and help them to understand the results.
From collision avoidance algorithms in UAVs for Thales and mobile telecommunications network performance for Motorola, to digital workflow management for the Imperial War Museum, our system designs and bespoke algorithms are in action right now.
Please contact Dr Rushen Patel to find out how our model delivery can add value to your business.
Data analysis
Organisations face huge amounts of data in the digital world, and extracting the valuable information from that data requires skilled handling and knowledge of appropriate techniques. Our staff have expertise in working with small and large datasets, and experience of understanding the issues associated with assessing the quality of datasets and extracting features of interest for clients including the Home Office and Cadbury Schweppes. Our work with Wittenstein and ARA has focussed on algorithms that make the most of the available data.
We have helped our clients in the past to make the most of their data. Examples include designing statistically robust sampling plans to satisfy the regulator and understanding the effect of high impact low probability events. In many cases it is also important to understand the limits of what can be achieved from data analysis. We are here to offer the best support.
Please contact Dr Rushen Patel to understand what information is in your data.
High performance computing
We provide a service in multicore algorithm design and implementation to invoke considerable speed up of your computationally intensive processes, including iterative linear solvers and dynamic programming algorithms.
Please contact Lorcan Mac Manus to find out how we can speed up your calculations.
Independent verification
For critical projects, where the impact of mistakes is high either in terms of cost or safety, we are able to provide independent verification and testing of algorithms and models. Our clients in this area include Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, and RTR, the Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
The Smith Institute is independent from any other organisation and as such is able to act within our clients’ best interests to provide models, analysis and algorithms which capture the system being verified. We have extensive experience in testing the limits of the operational envelope and presenting the results to our clients and regulators. We assist our clients in making their algorithms more robust, secure and efficient. You can read about our independent study of mathematical algorithms for SELEX Galileo in the case studies section of this website.
Please contact Dr Heather Tewkesbury for an independent review of your algorithms and models.
Professional development and training
For our clients who wish to refresh the mathematical capabilities of their own staff, we provide in-house courses in mathematical and statistical topics for any level of mathematical expertise. Recent courses in the Energy sector have covered topics from basic probability to Bayesian and Monte-Carlo methods, in the Telecommunications sector from random geometric graphs to load balancing and resource allocation, in the Insurance sector multivariate analysis and dependency modelling, and across all sectors in performance modelling. We have wide experience in developing courses that help companies to find the best way of dealing with their data, such as assessing data quality, working with small datasets, understanding an impact of extreme events and determining correlations between different variables.
We create course material in close collaboration with our client to ensure it addresses their exact needs. We make sure the course material aligns with the company’s processes. We also include worked examples relevant to your company and teach the course at the right level for the participants to make it accessible and have maximum impact. Read about the advanced statistics training course we provided for British Energy and the Actuarial Profession in the case studies section of this website.
Please contact Dr Heather Tewkesbury to empower your staff.
Access to expertise: technical guidance workshops
Our clients are often seeking a fresh approach to their most challenging problems. We encourage the use of quantitative methods to address interdisciplinary challenges. We are able to provide technical guidance at an early stage through collaborative workshops in two main areas:
- Problem identification and formulation. These workshops are appropriate when the ultimate goal and value added is clear to the client but articulating a route to achieving them is not. Drawing on the expertise we have across different sectors and technologies, our staff engage with the client to clarify their thinking and to define a clear set of problem definitions. We then work to identify the most appropriate technical and strategic routes for addressing these.
- In-depth solution space review. In circumstances where the client has the problem well defined (often following a problem identification style engagement) we can provide rapid concept development by exploring the most suitable solution strategies. This often involves preparatory technical work and engaging with our substantial academic network to identify leading mathematicians in speciality areas to participate in discussions.
Some of the recent challenges we have worked on are:
- Security;
- Fast methods to map oil reservoirs;
- Understanding interactions within complex systems;
- Relating microscale to macroscale;
- High impact low probability events.
Read about the workshops we have held with Schlumberger, Nippon Steel and the Home Office.
Please contact Dr Heather Tewkesbury to find the expertise you need.
Research management
Mathematical research programmes within the public and private sector deliver most value when managed by individuals with a wide view of the science base, knowledge of the pockets of relevant expertise, the ability to converse at an academic level, and an understanding of the commissioning organisation’s objectives. The Smith Institute manages the Knowledge Transfer Network for Industrial Mathematics, on behalf of the Technology Strategy Board.
Please contact Dr Heather Tewkesbury to get more value from research.
