IT specialist retail: Developing an order-start strategy for a distribution centre
Industry: IT specialist retail
Software: Plant Simulation
Initial situation: Mapping the current status and integrating the planning status
An IT specialist retailer required a simulation for its distribution centre that would map the current status and incorporate the latest planning status. Based on this, an order start strategy was to be developed.
Objective: Optimise module utilisation and lead times
The aim was to evaluate various order start strategies, achieve uniform module utilisation, analyse disruption scenarios and minimise order lead times.
Solution: Layout-accurate model with group control and shift model
SimPlan created a layout-accurate simulation model with a database connection. It modelled group controls with their respective availabilities as well as a shift model, and visualised utilisation and stock levels during ongoing operations.
Results: Strategies in the requirements specification, clear warehouse allocation
The strategies developed were incorporated directly into the IT requirements specification. In addition, the simulation provided specific guidelines for warehouse allocation.
Simulation as the basis for the order-start strategy
The case study demonstrates how a simulation that maps both the actual and planned states can provide concrete guidelines for order control and warehouse allocation, which can be directly incorporated into the technical specifications.
