Smartsettle is applicable to virtually any situation where there are multiple decision makers with conflicting objectives. SmartSettle's primary function is to support decision makers, whether individually, in groups or in opposing teams.

Individual Decision Making: If you are new to Smartsettle, you may wish to start by applying Smartsettle to your own individual decision-making problem. You will become familiar with the way in which Smartsettle can represent your preferences and can help you choose between alternatives. If your decision making problem is constrained by a complex set of relationships between decision variables, Smartsettle's powerful optimization engine can generate a solution that will maximize the values defined by your objectives.

Negotiation: When Smartsettle is used online by negotiators, they connect to an invisible neutral site that manages their private information. By combining problem models and preferences, Smartsettle is able to help any number of negotiators in the same way that it can help individuals. Private information is kept confidential by a secure neutral site. Each party's private information is accessible only to those with their access codes.

Facilitation: Smartsettle is a very sophisticated product, capable of handling the most complex multiparty problems. Unless you have prior experience and training, you are required to engage a certified Smartsettle facilitator. Your facilitator will help you model the problem and represent your preferences in a way that enables you to take maximum advantage of Smartsetttle's powerful optimization algorithms. Your facilitator is trained to leave you in control of the process and only intervene according to your wishes. Parties usually engage their own private facilitator in large cases with sensitive confidential information. In smaller cases, it is more efficient to engage a single facilitator to assist all parties.

Mediation: Since Smartsettle knows the preferences of both sides, it litterally acts as a mediator in the negotiation process by making suggestions that are better than compromises parties may think of themselves. A human mediator in the process is optional but still may be very valuable where diplomacy is needed. A human mediator would not necessarily have access to the private preferences of each party.