A Strategic and Standardized Simulation Model for Distribution Networks

• Published in: IISE Annual Conference. Proceedings p. 1
• Main Authors: Contreras, Homero H, Nuño, José Pablo, Porras, Eric, Zelaya, Eduardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Norcross Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Decision making; Design; Engineering; Inventory management; Simulation; Strategic planning; Supply chain management; Supply chains

Considering the broad array of tools to aid business decision making, there are opportunities to design generic or standardized simulation models that can be applied in similar areas with minimal changes. Traditional models based on static assumptions are limited in their applicability in the long term, basically because they failed to capture some of the relevant characteristics of real systems. Hence, this paper suggests a standardized simulation model applied to the analysis of a distribution network comprising two echelons. The proposed model is designed to be useful in assisting strategic decision making, however taking into account operational issues as inventory and transportation effects. The model is flexible enough to allow the analysis of downstream or upstream supply chain, working in a recursive way by defining the supplier-client section of the network as appropriate. The model is also self-contained, thus no interaction to external databases is needed, and it is written in a simulation language rather than in a graphical simulator, making it more flexible, optimizing the computer resources and taking advantage of a truly standardized simulation model. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]