Digital Twin for Complex Logistics Systems: The Case Study of a Large-Scale Automated Order Picking and Fulfillment System

Abstract

Digital twins for complex logistics systems and their practical implementation from a simulation modeling point of view as well as operational performance improvement are presented in this paper. The case study is a large-scale fully automated order picking and fulfillment system in a major fresh-food retail warehouse with a high degree of complexity of interactions as well as operational logic. The paper outlines the development of a full-scale discrete event simulation model as a basis for digital twins with a high level of data integration and modeling detail. The paper demonstrates the significant role that digital twins play in analyzing and improving the operational performance of such systems that owing to their complexity and dynamism, the consequences of managerial decisions are impossible to estimate.