Combining agent-based supply net simulation and constraint technology for highly efficient simulation of supply networks using APS systems

Abstract

We introduce an approach for highly efficient simulation of supply networks in which several nodes use advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems. APS systems increasingly become part of bigger companies IT landscape. Today, APS systems communicate only with the ERP system they sit on top of. If APS systems would be able to communicate with each other, qualitatively new processes for planning collaboration in supply nets could emerge. Simulation is accepted to be an useful approach for support of business process design. Design of planning processes which should exploit APS systems requires simulation systems with integrated APS functionality. We augmented an existing, agent-based simulation system by an APS component which we developed based on finite domain (FD) constraint technology. Here, we present our simulation system with special focus on the APS component, and results of a simulation experiment which was used for the proof of concept.