Simulation model parameter optimization requires selecting optimizers from task knowledge and translating those decisions into execution configurations that satisfy interface, authorization, and budget requirements. We propose ParaOpt-Agent, a knowledge-driven pre-execution agent that combines task and optimizer descriptions, historical cases, and large language model scoring. Optimizers are selected by equally combining model ranking with historical winner-coverage ranking, and deterministic checks then produce call configurations. The portfolio contains 10 optimizers, and the combined ranking uses 224 historical records. Across 2 batches totaling 64 new instances, the post hoc pooled mean utility difference relative to a same-information history rule is +0.001909; the individual batch differences are +0.013045 and −0.009227. On a further 320 new tasks, the Agent produces 319 valid actions and meets a five-percentage-point non-inferiority criterion against a model without history, the same-information rule, and an ExtraTrees selector. A same-input control ablation retains acceptance of all 16 legal inputs and reduces optimizer-entry arrivals among 528 constructed faults from 448 to zero. Public-observation cases using the 20-task history selector demonstrate parameter search and temporal validation. This study separately quantifies the selection utility of combined knowledge, action validity, and the contribution of execution checks, providing empirical evidence for optimizer decisions in simulation modeling.
The results are packaged in the Greenfield Startup Model (GSM), which explains the priority of startups to release the product as quickly as possible, and the need to shorten time-to-market, by speeding up the development through low-precision engineering activities.
Carmine Giardino, Nicolò Paternoster, M. Unterkalmsteiner et al.· IEEE Transactions on Softwar...· 178 citations· ⚡14
Software startup companies develop innovative, software-intensive products within limited timeframes and with few resources, searching for sustainable and scalable business models.
M. Unterkalmsteiner, P. Abrahamsson, Xiaofeng Wang et al.· e-Informatica Software Engin...· 157 citations· ⚡17
This study conducts a case survey study based on the secondary data of the major pivots happened in 49 software startups, and demonstrates that customer need pivot is the most common among all pivot types.
Sohaib Shahid Bajwa, Xiaofeng Wang, Anh Nguyen-Duc et al.· Empirical Software Engineeri...· 127 citations· ⚡15
The comparison of adopter and non-adopter sample reveals three potential adoption inhibitor, security, data privacy, and portability, which underlines the importance of the technical and security perspectives for research investigating the adoption of technology.
Nattakarn Phaphoom, Xiaofeng Wang, S. Samuel et al.· Journal of Systems and Softw...· 111 citations· ⚡8
The ongoing work building a Raspberry Pi cluster consisting of 300 nodes is presented, with potential use cases being an inexpensive and green test bed for cloud computing research and a robust and mobile data center for operating in adverse environments.
P. Abrahamsson, S. Helmer, Nattakarn Phaphoom et al.· IEEE International Conferenc...· 110 citations· ⚡7
The findings show that speed related agile practices are used to a greater extent in comparison to quality practices, and that software startups who adopt the Lean Startup approach do not sacrifice quality for speed more than other startups do.
Jevgenija Pantiuchina, Marco Mondini, Dron Khanna et al.· International Conference on...· 84 citations· ⚡4
A new computational approach reveals how cells communicate to assemble into tissues. This could accelerate stem cell engineering, improve disease models, and inform therapies.
Microsoft Research Blog· microsoft.comOct 15, 2026
Zero-knowledge proofs can verify computing results without rerunning workloads or exposing sensitive data. Magnetar helps bring them into the mainstream with support for standard programming languages, major speed gains, and quantum-resistant security. The post Proof-based general-purpose computing with Magnetar appeared first on Microsoft Research.