Operational Simulation-Based Decision Support in Intralogistics Using Short-Term Forecasts

Abstract

Simulation models are still often only part for decision support in the planning area. For short-term decisions at the operational level, there have been good fundamentals since the 1990s, but still relatively few implementations, especially in the logistics sector. Our approach is to use real-time data to provide short-term forecasts, by using a simulation model that provides required information. Due to current hardware and a well-chosen degree of abstraction of the model, real-time decision support (“real-time” means in this context: fast enough to support the decision) is possible. This paper presents a concept of a procedure model for the realization of such operational simulation-based decision support, applied to the picking area of an industrial laundry. The operational use of the simulation model is part of the project “Laundry Order Consolidation System (LOCSys)”, which aims to improve the picking & storing processes in the clean area of an industrial laundry through automation.