Rising complexity in the supply chain presents its challenges: a vast number of products with different storage requirements combined with increasing and partially erratic consumer demands while delivery times are as short as ever. How can you as a business stay on top of this to evaluate current capacity and be able to forecast change?
Warehouse simulation
What if you could test changes before making them? Warehouse simulation was created to answer this question. A virtual environment allows you to evaluate warehouse configuration, processes and technology. The software uses your data (such as how many zones, people, aisle width, technology used etc.) to illustrate our operations. It creates a “walk-through” visualization of your entire operation.
Could your facilities with the current layout and capacities cope with changes in demand? That is another question that the simulation can answer and flag bottlenecks. This allows you to address those specific points in your operation – and investigate which technology or configuration changes could help.
The system is capable of dealing with different scenarios
- Greenfield projects
For companies planning and designing a new warehouse - Brownfield projects
For companies looking to add or change existing warehouses - Emerging change scenarios
For companies wanting to anticipate change and rethink their current capabilities
Warehouse simulation offers the benefit of answering the question “Will this work?” before any changes or investments are made.
Advantages
- Increased data and insights
- Testing and comparison of different scenarios
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Ease of use
Supply chain network design
Determining a strategic location is the cornerstone of increasing sustainability, resiliency, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. That is where supply chain network design comes into play. This can help you evaluate the most cost-effective approaches to routes, modes of distribution, demand points of depots, resource requirements and cost-to-serve models for each customer.
Using maps and route information, you can review the number, location, and capacities of depots. How do supply chain changes affect margins and service levels? – Another question the system can answer. You can also find out if your current network can cope with increased demand and – similar to warehouse simulation – see where the bottlenecks are. All of this allows you to anticipate and rectify problems before they even arise.
You can also discover ways to optimize capacity over longer periods by changing modes of distribution or varying depot location depending on where your customers are. Powerful algorithms in the software offer this deeper level of insight and you can test it by merely pushing a button. This allows you to develop and solidify your long-term strategic approach to capacity challenges.
Despite the complex data being fed into the system, the end result that is being presented to you is easy to interpret, supported by graphs, maps and tables.
Advantages
- Cost savings
- Procurement visibility
- Service efficiencies
- Risk reduction
- Assessment of change
- Simplifies complexity
Combining these two solutions sets your business up for long-term success – no matter what demand you are dealing with. You will increase resiliency and deliver consistent services to your customer base.
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