Virtual Warehouse Research Articles

Virtual warehousing through digitalized inventory and on-demand manufacturing: A case study

Novel digital on-demand manufacturing technologies provide a significant opportunity to support development of virtual warehousing and in turn improve supply chain performance. However, the implementation of virtual warehouse comes with a set of challenges, especially where the objective is to virtually warehouse standard or legacy parts that have been developed and verified initially for conventional (non-digital) manufacturing. In this paper, we explore the key elements required for successful implementation of a virtual warehouse for legacy parts based on a combination of part digitalization, on-demand manufacturing, and part validation. Our proposed framework for adoption of virtual warehouse includes development of a digital inventory which includes supply chain and manufacturability data, identification, and selection of suitable parts for on-demand manufacturing, selection of on-demand manufacturing technology, fit-for-purpose validation of the parts. Our framework is exemplified through a case study, and we conclude that the building of an effective virtual warehouse requires several enablers, including availability of digital data about technical and supply chain characteristics of parts, but also a suitable part identification tool. This part identification tool needs to be flexible to include comparison with reference parts already produced by different on-demand manufacturing technologies.

“Smile for the camera”: Online warehouse tours as a form of dark tourism within the era of late capitalism

Over the past 50 years dark tourism has also seen exponential growth in terms of both physical and digital contexts. Dark tourism is primarily a concentration around documented accounts of physical violence, and theorisations centred on dark tourism studies have generally fallen within either behavioural or interpretivist perspectives. Such perspectives are indicative of the continually evolving nature of dark tourism and its receptiveness to new definitions, conceptual frameworks, and theorisations. Taking this into consideration, this concept paper seeks to develop and broaden the notion of “dark tourism” within the era of late capitalism by presenting a content analysis of Amazon’s virtual warehouse tour. In drawing upon critical notions of violence and the emerging deviant leisure framework, this paper will aim to instigate fresh academic enquiry into the nature of dark tourism, expand its theoretical underpinnings, and subsequently provide a means in which to examine how banal forms of tourism play an integral part in the proliferation of some of the most serious harms that populate the contemporary neoliberal landscape. Within this fresh interpretation of dark tourism, this paper also examines the relationship between the Internet, technology and late-stage capitalism, and the implications that this has in studying how corporations use such forms of media in tourism production in order to downplay and obfuscate the realities behind their activities.

Multi-Robot Task Scheduling for Consensus-Based Fault-Resilient Intelligent Behavior in Smart Factories

In smart factories, several mobile and autonomous robots are being utilized in warehouses to reduce overhead and operating costs. In this context, this paper presents a consensus-based fault-resilient intelligent mechanism called Consensual Fault-Resilient Behavior (CFRB). The proposed approach is based on three hierarchical plans: imposition, negotiation, and consensus. Fault resilience is achieved using the collective behavior of a multi-robot system that applies ternary decisions based on these plans. The difference between this paper and our previous work is on the consensual level. As it is suitable for the analysis and design of coordinated behavior between autonomous robots, the consensus plan is restructured and enhanced. The proposed approach is tested and evaluated in a virtual warehouse based on a real environment. In addition, it is compared with other current approaches, and the results are presented, demonstrating its efficiency.

Research on the Informatization Management System of Hazardous Waste in Power Grid Based on the Virtual Warehouse

As the environmental protection policies become increasingly strict, hazardous waste disposal is a noteworthy issue for power grid companies to achieve clean production. Based on the radio frequency identification devices (RFID) and internet of things (IoT) technology, a virtual warehouse theory, and informatization management system was introduced in this article, which consists of waste identification and tracking, full-chain of IoT, trade matching, production forecast, and visual display. This study offers a new thought for grid companies to develop other management methods to promote environmental protection and management works.

Research on the Informatization Management System of Hazardous Waste in Power Grid Based on the Virtual Warehouse

As the environmental protection policies become increasingly strict, hazardous waste disposal is a noteworthy issue for power grid companies to achieve clean production. Based on the radio frequency identification devices (RFID) and internet of things (IoT) technology, a virtual warehouse theory, and informatization management system was introduced in this article, which consists of waste identification and tracking, full-chain of IoT, trade matching, production forecast, and visual display. This study offers a new thought for grid companies to develop other management methods to promote environmental protection and management works.

Virtual Warehouse for Merchandise Inventory, Small And Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in The E-Commerce Sector

The advancement of e-commerce marketplace applications has made small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the e-commerce sector, grow rapidly in the current Era Industrial Revolution 4.0 Era. With limited capital, SMEs businesses must compete by increasing the inventory of various merchandise and large stocks, thus requiring an increase in warehouse capacity to become larger. There is a phenomenon related to the need for large warehouses and inventory for merchandise products of SMEs in the e-commerce sector, to e-commerce marketplace applications that have a virtual warehouse concept.The purpose of this study was to determine the concept of virtual warehouses, inventory management in virtual warehouses and the advantages of virtual warehouses, for SMEs in the E-commerce sector in the Industrial Revolution Era 4.0. This research method is descriptive qualitative. Informants in this study were determined purposively.The Virtual Warehouse is a virtual storage place to accommodate and store inventory data, it’s a product of a digital application system program that functions to accommodate, storage, and record inventory data stock. In the e-commerce marketplace application, the warehouse facility feature is provided virtually by the application system. It’s implementation greatly reduces costs and is very efficient compared to conventional physical warehouses. With mobile device or computer that can operating online and within internet signal range, operating of virtual warehouse can be carried out anytime and anywhere

Parallel service mode of production and inventory for spare part inventory optimization

Previous studies on inventory adopt the serial supply mode of “from production to inventory to customer demand”, that is, at the end of the previous period, the spare parts requirements predicted for the next period need to be ready. Trying to cancel the preparation of some spare parts in the previous period and transfer them to the production resources in the next period, the capital occupation and inventory holding cost incurred by these spare parts can be reduced. Therefore, we propose a parallel service mode of production and inventory for inventory optimization, in which production resources are arranged from the scheduling level and cooperate with inventory to meet customer demands. By introducing virtual warehouses that each contains infinite spare parts, the problem of inventory optimization is transformed into a scheduling problem with objectives of minimum inventory capital occupation and minimum total cost including inventory holding cost, transportation cost and tardiness cost. The optimal inventory setting of each actual warehouse is determined based on the usage of spare parts in each corresponding virtual warehouse in the optimal scheduling solution. To obtain the optimal scheduling solution, an evolutionary algorithm is proposed, in which a modified idle time insertion method and five problem-specific knowledge-guided local search operators are developed. Numerous experiments are conducted and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm compared with other well-known algorithms. Furthermore, the superiority of the parallel service mode compared with the serial supply mode is verified.

Kubernetes Virtual Warehouse Placement based on Reinforcement Learning

Kubernetes Virtual Warehouse Placement based on Reinforcement Learning

Automated Design of CubeSats using Evolutionary Algorithm for Trade Space Selection

The miniaturization of electronics, sensors, and actuators has enabled the growing use of nanosatellites for earth observation, astrophysics, and even interplanetary missions. This rise of nanosatellites has led to the development of an inventory of modular, interchangeable commercially-off-the-shelf (COTS) components by a multitude of commercial vendors. As a result, the capability of combining subsystems in a compact platform has considerably advanced in the last decade. However, to ascertain these spacecraft’s maximum capabilities in terms of mass, volume, and power, there is an important need to optimize their design. Current spacecraft design methods need engineering experience and judgements made by of a team of experts, which can be labor intensive and might lead to a sub-optimal design. In this work we present a compelling alternative approach using machine learning to identify near-optimal solutions to extend the capabilities of a design team. The approach enables automated design of a spacecraft that requires developing a virtual warehouse of components and specifying quantitative goals to produce a candidate design. The near-optimal solutions found through this approach would be a credible starting point for the design team that will need further study to determine their implementation feasibility.

Discrete Event Simulation and Digital Twins: Review and Challenges for Logistics

In the Logistics 4.0 era, the demand for anticipating asset behaviour and make decisions in an almost real time fashion has led to the evolution of DES into an integral part of what is currently known as the Digital Twins (DTs). A Discrete Event Simulation software is assuming the role of the cyber twin, executing simulation software queries on real time data produced by IoT devices embedded on the physical twin, i.e. the automation, which are then processed, updating the simulation to the next system state. In that way, DTs facilitate the convergence of the physical and virtual warehouse, thus supporting efficient and responsive warehouse planning, management and decision making. This paper explores the current literature on the integration of DES and DTs and identifies trends and challenges for contemporary Logistics.

Fault-Resilient Collective Ternary-Hierarchical Behavior to Smart Factories

Smart factories are introducing new technologies to improve production and expand flexibility, which denotes the integration of intelligent, autonomous, and interconnected agents. The conceptual transition to dynamic multiple agents generates some dilemmas, mainly regarding the occurrence of unexpected situations. This paper aims to discuss the collective behavior of multi-agent systems in smart factories for achieving fault resilience. The proposed approach is based on three hierarchical plans: imposition, negotiation, and consensus. Fault restoration is achieved through the collective behavior that manages the ternary decisions made in these plans. The approach can help the smart factories that employ autonomous multi-agents improve their production, reliability, and robustness to failure. The proposed method was evaluated using a virtual warehouse logistics but employing real scenarios. Experiments were performed through logistic tasks to prove the collective behavior implemented in the approach for fault resilience. Quantitative analysis of the experiments shows the efficiency of the approach under various situations.

The use of a virtual reality training system to improve technical skill in the maintenance of live-line power distribution networks

ABSTRACT The application of virtual reality (VR) technologies is beneficial to the training related to industrial processes. Mainly because the technologies allow training complex threatening tasks within a safe environment. The interactive three-dimensional (3D) representation of a real world seems to be a more effective learning medium than other traditional tools. This paper presents the development and implementation of a training environment based on VR, applied to the maintenance of medium-tension overhead live-lines in power distribution networks. The architecture of the virtual environment includes three main components: the virtual warehouse of equipment, materials and tools; the interactive 3D environments; and a course management system. The system consists of 43 maintenance maneuvers, including the application of different techniques and equipment. It has three operation modes: learning, practice, and evaluation, which can be accessed according to the trainee’s level of knowledge. The virtual environment is currently used to support training of thousands of power line operators with excellent results. The aim of the system is to improve the technical skills of operators and minimize safety risks while operating power distribution networks. The system has allowed a substantial reduction of the accident rates during live-line maintenance.

Experimental study on user rating of virtual reality applications in manual order picking

Abstract In recent years the use of virtual reality simulation for industrial purposes like product design, prototyping and employee training has rapidly increased. The cost efficient availability of devices like the HTC Vive has played into the rising amount of research done in this field. The technology is therefore especially interesting for the field of manual order picking. However, users´ rating of virtual reality in order picking in contrast to real world order picking has not yet been examined. The paper at hand therefore addresses this issue and tries to answer the following research questions: 1. How do the participants evaluate the general use of virtual reality technology and its aptitude for training purposes in order picking and does their rating change during the experimental study? 2. Does the rating of the use of virtual reality in order picking by the participants reflect their experimental results? To answer these questions an experimental study was conducted, in which 27 participants first had to pick orders in a virtual warehouse environment and afterwards in an identical real warehouse environment. In order to capture the participants´ evaluation, questionnaires were designed based on scientific approaches. The analysis of the given answers shows that the experimental study has a positive effect on users´ rating of virtual reality simulations in order picking. In conclusion the following article highlights the use of virtual reality simulation in this field and the potential of the technology for future research.

Development of Reward Mechanism for Proxy Marketers Engaged in E-Commerce Platforms

A reward model/mechanism for proxy marketer-based e-commerce/e-shopping system was developed in this work. The system comprised of two modules, the shopping module which has an online shop and virtual warehouse; and the reward module. The online shop and virtual warehouse are used to manage the products on the e-commerce system, the reward mechanism is used to manage the reward paid to the proxy marketer. Proxy marketers have been introduced into online shopping to extend their market reach and increase their market share. The proxy marketers are organized in a unilevel multilevel market structure. The work offers three types of rewards: transaction reward which is paid to three generations from the proxy marketer who made the transaction; trust reward which is based on the trustworthiness rating of proxy marketer for a transaction; and turnover reward which is paid for transaction that is up to the amount stipulated for the reward. The various levels of reward were designed to total fifty percent of the profit made per transaction in order to attain sustainability of the network. The work proves that with a sustainable reward mechanism, proxy marketers can be incorporated into an e-commerce platform in a way that betters the profitability of such e-commerce platforms as compared to standalone e-shopping ones.

Development of Reward Mechanism for Proxy Marketers Engaged in E-Commerce Platforms

A reward model/mechanism for proxy marketer-based e-commerce/e-shopping system was developed in this work. The system comprised of two modules, the shopping module which has an online shop and virtual warehouse; and the reward module. The online shop and virtual warehouse are used to manage the products on the e-commerce system, the reward mechanism is used to manage the reward paid to the proxy marketer. Proxy marketers have been introduced into online shopping to extend their market reach and increase their market share. The proxy marketers are organized in a unilevel multilevel market structure. The work offers three types of rewards: transaction reward which is paid to three generations from the proxy marketer who made the transaction; trust reward which is based on the trustworthiness rating of proxy marketer for a transaction; and turnover reward which is paid for transaction that is up to the amount stipulated for the reward. The various levels of reward were designed to total fifty percent of the profit made per transaction in order to attain sustainability of the network. The work proves that with a sustainable reward mechanism, proxy marketers can be incorporated into an e-commerce platform in a way that betters the profitability of such e-commerce platforms as compared to standalone e-shopping ones.

The Economic Effect of Virtual Warehouse-Based Inventory Information Sharing for Sustainable Supplier Management

With the rapid development of information and communication technologies, inventory information sharing between a manufacturer and its suppliers is becoming easier than ever. In line with this trend, we focus on the virtual warehouse where only inventory information on all of the material provided by the suppliers can be stored and shared. Unlike traditional supplier management, the manufacturer constructs and operates this virtual warehouse to check the inventory levels of all the required material at the same time, but each supplier can access only the information about its inventory. This virtual warehouse-based approach can foster a tight relationship between the manufacturer and its suppliers and can handle suppliers as a single company without a large investment in constructing a physical warehouse. The virtual warehouse-based approach seems to be more economically sustainable. To investigate the effect of inventory information sharing via the virtual warehouse, we developed and analyzed a system dynamics-based simulation model. The experiment results show that sharing the inventory information of the suppliers via the virtual warehouse can help manufacturers to achieve better operational performance on several important measures, such as the reduction of finished goods inventory, parts purchasing quantity, degree of backlogs, and total cost.

Robot Actions Planning Algorithms in Multi-Agent System

In this paper, the basic information about multi-agent systems is given. The authors propose robot control algorithms for managing virtual autonomous warehouses, where the task performed by the robots is transportation between specific locations in the warehouse and a number of distribution points. Algorithms control the work of a single robot, including the cooperation with other robots in the environment as well as collisions avoidance. Different routing algorithms are evaluated through simulations focusing on service time and waiting time of executing tasks. The impact of the proposed algorithms on energy consumption was also checked, since this is important for the working time between battery charges.

Demand Forecasting Model Based on Equipment Maintenance Resources in Virtual Warehousing

Based on the theory of virtual warehousing, the optimization system for equipment maintenance resources in virtual warehousing is established for the security task of equipment maintenance resources. According to the prediction problems on the spare parts requirements for equipment maintenance in this system, the demand forecasting model, based on the combination of rough sets and grey prediction, is adopted. The results of simulation experiment show that this method applied in equipment maintenance spare resources prediction is reliable and with accurate information. While, the relative error and absolute error of the predictive value and practical value are very small, which shows the prediction model is of high precision for the accurate effect prediction. As a result, this model and algorithum is proved to be effective to provide theoretical and practical support for equipment maintenance spare resources in information warfare.

Open-source Cloud-based Energy Calculator/simulator

In this paper we will present a newly written energy calculator built as a project between CICESE and the State Energy Commission of Baja California. The system runs server side and is written in PHP and Python storing its data on a MySQL database. The user interface allows the user to input their geographic location, and electrical energy use history. The user can then choose from a virtual warehouse of photovoltaic systems offered by local installers. Using astronomical algorithms, and weather station data the system generates a list of solar intensity values and calculates the response of chosen photovoltaic. The final values calculated are the cost predictions for the next 20 years. Because of its open-source nature, then system can be easily expanded to include wind power systems, carbon production, and ever gas and water usage. The primary user for this system is the general public with hopes that they will become educated on their energy use, and the potential effects of new photovoltaic installations.

Planning of Creative Commercial Components Virtual Warehouse Platform

Planning of Creative Commercial Components Virtual Warehouse Platform