Purpose – The purpose of this research work is to find a methodology for the strategic development of competitive advantage for information technology (IT) companies (Mezger and Violani, 2011). The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a methodological approach on this issue, based on dynamic simulation models (DSM) (Wirahadikusumah and Abraham, 2003). With the aid of DSM, senior managements of organizations will have the opportunity to make decisions of assured success. This success shall be guaranteed by the realization of entrepreneurial activity in a safe and inexpensive computing environment before actual investment. Design/methodology/approach – This paper highlights the advantages of the dynamic modelling of systems aiming at developing competitive advantage for IT companies (Ordóñez de Pablos, 2006). In this research, we have used the science of design and the research methodology for testing the concept of modelling as well as the process of modelling. The models have been completed through a series of alternations and iterations in the design, development, simulation, testing and evaluation. Findings – This paper examines the interface among several dimensions for the development of dynamic models. The validity and usefulness of those models in the process of decision-making has been confirmed by the usage of dynamic models in various sectors. Originality/value – This paper applies the system and the concepts of dynamic modelling, which are pioneering elements as to their nature and evolution. Although the sector, where the modelling was applied, is an IT company, the concepts and principles investigated, developed and validated can be applied to most enterprises.

a b s t r a c tIn this article we present a simulated annealing based algorithm for the determination of optimal ship routes through the minimization of a cost function defined as a weighted sum of the time of voyage and the voyage comfort (safety is taken into account too). This cost function is dependent on the wind speed and its direction as well as on the wave height and its direction. The constructed algorithm at the beginning discretizes an initial route and then optimizes it by considering small deviations, which are accepted or rejected by utilizing the simulated annealing technique. Using calculus of variations, we prove a key theorem which tremendously accelerates the convergence of the proposed algorithm. For an illustration of the advantages of the constructed method, both computational and real experiments have been carried out which are presented and discussed.

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In this work, the benefits of the phase fitting technique are embedded in high order discrete Lagrangian integrators. The proposed methodology creates integrators with zero phase lag in a test Lagrangian in a similar way used in phase fitted numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. Moreover, an efficient method for frequency evaluation is proposed based on the eccentricities of the moving objects. The results show that the new method dramatically improves the accuracy and total energy behaviour in Hamiltonian systems. Numerical tests for the 2-body problem with ultra high eccentricity up to 0.99 for 10 6 periods and to the Henon-Heiles Hamiltonian system with chaotic behaviour, show the efficiency of the proposed approach.