Supply chain optimisation and protocol environment (SCOPE) for rapid prototyping and analysis of complex supply chains

Abstract

There is a strong need for modelling tools that allow decision makers to rapidly develop aggregate models of supply chains, including both material and information flow, that they can use to gain insights and assess alternative configurations. We present a prototype implementation of such a system and apply it to a simple supply chain for validation purposes, and to a real world case study from the consumer packaged goods industry.

Keywords:

• Supply chain modelling
• Non-linear dynamics
• Agents
• Collaboration
• Capacitated systems
• Aggregate production planning

Acknowledgements

This research has been supported by The Laboratory for Extended Enterprises at Purdue (LEEAP), the UPS Foundation, and NSF Grants DMI-0075606 and DMI-0122207. We would also like to acknowledge the support of Dash Optimisation through donations of their XpressMP system.