The project basically deals with the application of simulation to integrated logistics in today’s world of growing customer awareness and how it incorporates the various components such as manufacturing, transportation, and distribution. Also the role of information systems with simulation is discussed, so as to bring about completeness to the project.
The Simulation and Modeling Team touches upon the historical perspectives of simulation, its growth from a military and academic tool to its current use in industrial activities where application is pretty diverse and extensive. The team then looks at the definition of logistics, how this area helps to maintain a balance between the minute details and the main elements involved in a project, and the effect of some current issues like globalization, the changing nature of the work force, and the challenges of enhancing customer satisfaction, etc. on the application of logistics.
Current and upcoming strategic issues and opportunities in the field of simulation and supply chain management are considered, as well as how businesses are looking forward to the application of simulation tools to supply chain management.So as to emphasize this point of view, the process of manufacturing and transportation, and how simulation can be applied to each of the components of the supply chain management has been defined and explained. From an illustrative point of view, models for manufacturing and transportation of automobiles and computers have also been developed, the results of which help to analyze how the processes should be laid out, when and how much material should come in, and how the transportation part could be coordinated with manufacturing so that there is minimum inventory in the system.
Finally, the project touches upon the interfaces with the other teams, so as to gain an insight on how and what other areas are working upon, and how the efforts of all the teams can be coordinated so that the final aim of the project, i.e. understanding the application and importance of supply chain management and integrated logistics in today’s rapidly changing market scenario, may be accomplished.