Simulations in planning logistics processes as a tool of decision-making in manufacturing companies

Abstract

Appropriate logistics planning is a key factor influencing the quality and efficiency of processes in manufacturing companies. Logistics planning can be defined as the process of making significant decisions (concerning both logistics processes and resources) for the functioning of an organization. It is a process consisting of stages in which important decisions are made regarding the optimization of all activities of the company, including in the field of: production, supply, sales, distribution, transport. The main goal of logistics activities is to minimize the operating costs incurred, as well as to better manage human resources. The main aim of the article is to present the legitimacy of using selected simulation software as an actual tool in making logistic decisions in the field of order picking system (OPS) based on a case study. For research purposes, a model was prepared in FlexSim and there were applied S-shape and Return routing methods. Based on simulation results, an analysis of the selected process was carried out. The obtained results indicate possible directions of changes and allow to make the right decision in the field of planning logistics processes.

Innovative Work Order Planning with Process Optimization Using Computer Simulation in the Automotive Industry, in the Case of Repair Workshops

“…The developed simulation model uses the FlexSim simulation environment with a built-in optimization module, which allows for testing different scenarios and choosing the best one (Beaverstock et al, 2017). Presenting the results that show the impact of selected simulation scenarios on resource utilization, production costs, and process duration confirms the effectiveness and usefulness of this method (Daroń, 2022).…”

Application of plant simulation software as a process improvement tool in automotive radio line

“…Em termos de simulação computacional, há uma grande variedade de softwares gratuitos e com versões demo que permitem o acesso temporário ao recurso. Os principais são o Tecnomatix Plant Simulation, FlexSim, o Arena Simulation, o AnyLogic, o SimCADSimulalation e o Siml8 (Daron, 2022). Apesar de existirem diversos tipos de softwares, o Tecnomatix Plant Simulation foi o escolhido para a execução deste projeto, uma vez que os autores já estavam familiarizados com este software e a empresa onde se realizou o estudo oferece treinamento para funcionários na utilização deste software, o que facilitou o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, e além disso, o Plant Simulation apresenta uma vasta gama de ferramentas que podem ser utilizadas para simular desde mudanças de layout até mesmo a simulação de automação de processos, por ter a capacidade de ser integrado a periféricos externos, como por exemplo, os Controladores Lógicos Programáveis (CLPs).…”

Use of a Software Application to Generate a Sequence for Simulation Model Creation

“…In this way, we can explore multiple solution alternatives in a short time and then apply the correct and most advantageous solution to the real system [9]. Therefore, the use of a simulation approach through appropriate software tools is a suitable and efficient choice to solve the problem of optimizing logistic processes and flows [10].…”