Timetable optimization

The planning of timetables has become significantly more complex in universities of applied sciences in recent years. The methods of implementing education have diversified, students' individual study paths have increased, and there are growing demands for managing staff workload. At the same time, higher education institutions are required to ensure efficient space utilization, quality of education, and predictable timetables that support student well-being. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK)'s current timetable planning practice is largely based on manual work, decentralized practices, and the experience of individual employees. This can lead to incomplete overall optimization, significant workload in planning, and variable quality of the final result. SEAMK has mapped the market to find a digital timetable planning tool that utilizes automation and artificial intelligence. Various optimization algorithms and engines suitable for different purposes are used in different industries worldwide, but the solutions available on the market are not suitable for the Finnish higher education context and are not compatible with Peppi, the study administration information system used at SEAMK. Solutions based on generative artificial intelligence cannot be considered in the procurement, as future timetables cannot be based on past (suboptimal) data. The goal-oriented operation of the timetable process requires mathematical optimization engines and algorithms. Eduix Oy's timetable optimization solution integrates directly with the Peppi study information system. The optimization solution is genuinely objective- and rule-based, teacher workload is systematically assessed from a work well-being perspective, and student study progress is one of the key objectives of the optimization. There are no other comparable solutions available in Finland for use by higher education institutions. Based on the market survey, SEAMK has requested a quote from Eduix Oy for a timetable optimization solution compatible with the Peppi study information system. The offered solution is not based on generative artificial intelligence or the copying or prediction of previous timetables or historical data. The solution creates timetables using an optimization algorithm based on SEAMK's self-defined rules, objectives, and quality criteria. The optimization builds each timetable as a new entity, simultaneously considering, for example, the implementation methods of education, teacher workload, smooth student study progress, pedagogical and functional guidelines, and SEAMK's strategic goals. Since SEAMK considers, based on the market survey, that there are grounds for a direct procurement in this situation, SEAMK decides to procure the solution from Eduix Oy as per their offer to implement timetable optimization. The price of the procurement according to the offer is - Optimization tool implementation: EUR 19,500 (VAT 0%) - Recurring fees for the optimization tool: EUR 2,025/month (VAT 0%) for the years 2027-2029, after which EUR 3,025/month (VAT 0%).