As a “Research I” university, it is the department’s mission to produce research – answers to the problems facing society today. As most problems facing industrial and systems engineers are grounded in industry – supply chain management, risk management, production and inventory control, data analysis, etc. – it is only natural that industry and academia partner on research projects. In these collaborations, complicated problems are defined that can only be approached with advanced techniques and resources (Ph.D. students and faculty). The results may include analyses, recommendations, models, tools, or decision-support systems, depending on the needs of the company. Contract costs generally support student stipend, tuition, equipment and faculty time.