Logistics are a key factor for manufacturing companies in developed countries to better exploit their competitive advantages of proximity to market and flexibility. In order to improve the management of a logistics/distribution center, this paper proposes the use of control methods based on Multi-Agent Systems enhanced with Radio-Frequency Identification. However, the best way to demonstrate the benefits of using these solutions, is to apply them to a real company; but, naturally, this is impractical. In this paper, an experimental platform composed of a 3D simulation combined with a physical miniature model is used to illustrate the proposed control methods. The set-up described here has been assembled in the AUTOLOG laboratory at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain. The design of the platform is somewhat generic, allowing adaptation to different distribution problems, but has been inspired on a real local facility. The objective of this system is to provide a testbench to experiment with multidisciplinary theories, techniques, and algorithms that can be grouped into four areas: automation and robotics, instrumentation and control, production planning, and logistics and distribution.

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In order to improve the operations management of a distribution center, this paper proposes a management system based on Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) enhanced with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) or RFID-IMSII. An experimental platform composed of a simulation combined with a physical platform is used to study a company situated in Spain. It has been necessary because of the company's complexity. The simulation software WITNESS has been used to study different scenarios. It leads to control the main parameters of the company, for example the schedule of orders. It has been demonstrated that the RFID-IMSII system improves the system utilized by the company.

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