SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR SUPPLY CHAIN INTERACTION MODELING

Abstract

The study of complex logistic systems often requires specialized software that allows studying the characteristics and properties of the observed object using simulation methods. An example of such a system is the supply network, in the general case of an arbitrary structure. For linear supply chains known business game “Beer Game”, which allows to observe and explore the effects that occur in long supply chains. The aim of the work was to develop a model that is a generalization of the original “Beer Game” in the case of a supply network of arbitrary topology and the development of software that allows investigating the resulting model using simulation methods. In this paper the mathematical model of the supply chain is presented. A set of algorithms for estimating and forming the order volume by each network participant is proposed. The developed application that emulates the work of the supply chain is described. Various ways of creating a supply network topology have been proposed, and a description of the parameters for modeling the supply network has been given. The capabilities of the application are demonstrated when generating data and interpreting the obtained results in the form of tables, graphs, and animation. The ways of forming supply chains with different characteristics are studied. Experiments on the study of algorithms for estimating the volume of orders on various topologies of supply chains were carried out. Ways to assess the performance of the supply chain were proposed. The developed software can be used to justify the choice of strategy for managing supply chains in distribution logistics for industrial and commercial enterprises of various sizes, from large networks to retail. In addition, the developed software can be used in the educational process for students of economic specialties.