Shaping the organization of order processing with the simulation tool FEMOS

Abstract

Having been forced by the development of international markets, producing enterprises are presently searching for possibilities to improve their order processing. Besides technical means, new organizational concepts which can be characterized by a process orientation are under consideration. Examples for such concepts which consider the entire order processing from order entry to delivery are order centers, production segments or the concepts of lean production. In connection with the realization of new forms of organizational structures, an enterprise has to decide which form of structure tends to produce the best system behavior in given circumstances. Up to now, general statements concerning the suitability of different forms of structure have not been available. Therefore, specially adapted solutions must be developed according to the given production conditions. As the evaluation of their suitability requires the examination of the dynamical system behavior, a simulation tool has to be used in order to completely evaluate the effects of the different possible solutions. A simulation-aided approach will be presented for the design of the organizational structure of production systems by using a case study as an example. In a mechanical engineering enterprise which produces conveying systems the production situation can be characterized by a strong customer-orientation. Each order refers to a special conveying system consisting of different components which are arranged individually. With the help of the simulation tool FEMOS, a suitable structure for the winding-up of orders in the pre-productive functions will be developed. This case study results in a proposal for the reorganization of the departments for design and operations planning.