1. A computer system for performing supply chain planning, the computer system comprising: a processor; a memory; a database storing data descriptive of supply chain items; a model generator coupled to the database and configured to derive a model based on the data and representative of a supply chain planning problem; a preprocessor configured to subject the model to a set of rules to derive a preprocessed model; a translator configured to transform the preprocessed model into a mathematical model; and an optimizer configured to determine a solution of the mathematical model.