Categories Operations [EN]

Industries with naturally large batch sizes

Data driven analytics applications are especially valuable in production processes with naturally large batch sizes. This is because analytics, in the form of e.g. intelligent scheduling decision engines, aids efficient resource allocation and utilization – directly improving operational results. Naturally, large batch sizes occurs in production processes with naturally economies of scale, i.e. high setup […]

Categories Operations [EN]

Lot size dependent warehousing costs

There are several types of warehouse-related operational costs that are affected by production lot sizes. As I demonstrated in my recent simulation study report for a enameled copper wire production process, lot size and batch size optimization is an important aspect of operational cost optimization. This is especially true for process industry with continuous processes […]

Wire production batch / lot size optimization

Enamelled copper wire is used for eletromagentic applications. It thus has a wide range of applications and is of great importance, as well as it offered in many different configurations (diameter, enamelling configurations, spool dimensions, etc.). Enamelled copper wire is produced in a two phase production process. First, the wire is drawn down to required […]

Categories Supply chains

Supply chain visibility trends & facts 2023

The ever-growing ecommerce market and consumer demand have disrupted modern supply chains. They have become complex, and a lack of proper management often leads to major losses. For example, India spends about $160 billion on road logistics, twice what countries with better transportation management spend, due to inefficiently planned freight movement. Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) […]

53% ROI: Barge transport simulation study

Following up on my recent article on simulation of barge transports I summarize the financial impacts and benefits of a barge transport simulation study. I show that a reduction of required barge pool capacity by just one barge results in a long-term (10 year) annual 53% return on investment of simulation study expenses. This means […]

Simulation of barge transport systems

Barge transport accounts for more than $35 billion of US GDP and accounts for more than 300,000 jobs in US economy. Economic activity in barge transport logistics is forecasted to grow. This is due to several significant advantages of barge transport: In this article I explain how simulation can be used to improve economic results […]

Categories Production planning

Optimized machine setup sequence

Implementing an optimized machine setup sequence reduce setup costs and increase machine productivity. It is an important aspect of effective job scheduling and operational production planning. Some companies thus derive optimized machine setup sequences using their ERP. This is great, if the ERP and the master data supports this. Other production planning teams might add […]

Excel Solver for SCM analysts – 3 examples

The Excel Solver add-on in Excel can be used by any Excel user. Excel Solver allows Excel users to implement mathematical programing in Excel. In this way Excel users can solve optimization problems. In this blog post I provide 3 application examples of Excel Solver in SCM. Prioritizing purchasing spend in Excel Solver Imagine an […]

Categories ERP [EN]

Regression analysis for SCM and ERP

Supply chain management commonly makes use of regression analysis to analyze relationships between variables and make predictions about future outcomes. Exemplary application domains are control of production levels, inventory levels, transportation costs, delivery times, customer demand, scrap reduction and customer satisfaction. In today’s blog post I write about regression analysis, its application in SCM, and […]

Agent-based simulation in forestry & farming

Agent-based simulation can be a useful tool for forestry planning and farming planning as it can help simulate and understand the complex interactions between system entities. Agent-based simulation is a method for complex system design and analysis. The method implements micro-scopic system behaviour with agents that interact with eachother and with the environment that they […]