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Transparency in the supply chain

Supply-ChainComplex supply chains (SCM) are often the result of a supply structure, which has evolved over time, combined with complex product such as in the automotive industry or in machine construction.

The complexity of the supply chain is essentially shaped by

  • a high number of suppliers,
  • differing supply patterns (order cycles, quantities, delivery times etc.),
  • the delivery network (transport routes, destinations, warehouses etc.) as well as on the other hand
  • the ordering pattern of the end customer (product features, quantity, time etc.).
The optimisation of this chain is mostly geared to partial aspects such as transport costs or delivery times of individual parts. The effects of changes often only become clear a long time after implementation, necessitating expensive subsequent changes.

Tools create clarification

A virtual model of the supply chain in a simulation model forms the basis for a substantiated analysis of concrete measures and the evaluation of their effects. Besides the analysis of structural bottlenecks the pattern can be analysed taking into account dynamic influencing variables (faults, fluctuating capacities, flexible order calling etc.).  Alternatives can be contrasted and evaluated in detail.
Thereby the Evaluation of simulation results orients itself closely by the key figures significant for the supply chain, such as delivery time, delivery reliability, order changing flexibility and, of course, also costs. In the process, the structure of a corresponding key figure system in the simulation model can orient itself by the real system or even be designed and tested with the help of the simulation. 

Your benefit

The service offered by SimPlan has the advantage that the customer requires no software or simulation skills whatsoever. The scope of the SimPlan service extends from analysis of the supply chain through documentation of the process and development of the key figure system to generation of the simulation model and conduct of experiments.

The result of the analysis is a quantitative evaluation of improvement measures for the supply chain, whose economic efficiency is defined for example in the form of business cases, as well as a concrete recommendation for implementation. On request SimPlan will also support the customer during the implementation phase.

Further information

Flyer: Modelling and analysis of supply networks

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