System for supply network management

Abstract

Strategies and algorithms for operational planning and control are quite important to successful operations of a supply network. Implementation of a strategy requires substantial information system support, but few detailed designs of such systems have appeared in the literature. We designed an information system for a centralized management concept that could handle any type of strategy or algorithm. We developed algorithms for two different strategies deemed important by researchers and practitioners, push and pull, and implemented them in system modules. This information system performed well in simulations of the management of operations of an example six-stage supply network. This system provides an example for operational development as well as a platform for laboratory experiments. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2006.