Reflective simulation for on-line workload planning and control

ABSTRACT

Since its beginning, simulation has been used to study complex systems in order to infer on their future behavior, in this field several applications have been made using it as off-line tool for strategic level choices. In modern application, especially in the field of industrial automation, on-line simulation has been extensively used for supporting operative decision trough a classical schedule-simulate loop. The paper presents an application of on-line simulation to the distribution logistics sector: a department store is here controlled by on-line simulators able to help decision maker to decide how many counters to kept opened or how many people to use for shelves replenishment. Since this exercise could seriously affect the performances of a real life department store, the methodology is, in fact, very sensible to parameter settings, a nested simulator has been implemented and used for algorithm fine tuning and critical parameter choice.

REFERENCES

• 1: Banks, J., J. S. Carson, B. L. Nelson, and D. M. Nicol. 2005. Discrete-event system simulation. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
• 2: Bruzzone A., R. Mosca, A. Orsoni, and R. Revetria. 2001 Forecasts modelling in industrial applications based on ai techniques. International Journal of Computing Anticipatory Systems (extended from Proceedings of CASYS2001, Liege Belgium August 13--18) 11:245--258, ISSN1373-5411
• 3: Bruzzone A. G. and R. Revetria. 1999. Artificial neural networks as support for logistics in super-market chains. In Proceedings of HMS99, Genoa, September 16--18
• 4: Bruzzone A., R. Revetria, M. Genovese, and L. Rombi. 2001. Inventory management by integrating ERP systems and simulation tools. In Proceedings of SCI2001, Orlando, July 22--25
• 5: Blümel, P. and E. Kindler. 1997. Simulation of antagonist mutually simulating systems - first experiences. SimVis 1997: 56--65
• 6: Revetria R. 2001. Replenishment policy optimization using the simulation and the fuzzy logic approach. In Proceedings of The SCI2001 Conference, Orlando FL, July 22--25
• 7: Revetria R., C. Forgia, and Catania A. 2006. Agent based vs nested simulation for supporting on-line teller scheduling in groceries supermarket distribution: a case study. In Proceedings of ESM2006, LAAS, Toulouse, France October 23--25, 2006
• 8: Sklenar J. 1997. Introduction to SIMULA, available on <http://staff.um.edu.mt/jskl1/talk.html> {accessed April 2007}