Quasireko – Planning Resources in Contract Logistics by use of Requirements Analyses and Simulation

Background

Within the manifold logistics market, contract logistics is the most challenging segment due to its customized and value-adding services. Despite this complexity, the ramp-up phase of new businesses should be kept as short and the error rate as low as possible. Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs) need to plan the exact qualifications and requirements as well as the exact amount of resources, such as personnel, lift trucks and space. Unused capacity might cause idle costs, while shortage might cause deficits in performance and quality. Due to the high standardization of processes, we concentrate on the automotive industry.

Procedure

The basis for the demonstrator’s development is the definition of established logistics services within the automotive sector, like cross-docking, warehousing, just-in-time or just-in-sequence logistics. Examining these services, we are able to develop the three approaches.

Modeling of Processes: By using the modeling demonstrator tool, the 3PL will be able to design its operative processes. Therefore, standard processes in the automotive industry are developed. For this purpose, site inspections and interviews with the involved 3PLs are done. Furthermore, processes are extracted from VDA standards (standards of the German Association of the Automotive Industry).

Requirements Analysis: Based on the processes, which have been modeled before, conceivable resources can be attached. Additionally, required qualifications are identified and summarized in a qualification matrix. By using this matrix, 3PLs are able to identify those qualifications that are required for a specific type of resource, such as a forklift license for an employee.

Simulation: To enable the dynamic calculation of resources, a simulation-demonstrator will be developed. The 3PL will transfer the processes into the demonstrator. Within the simulation-demonstrator it will be possible to model e.g. an increasing volume of orders during ramp-up, an increasing number of utilities or varying process times depending on workers.

Targeted results

The objective of this research project is the development of a software-demonstrator. The demonstrator will support 3PLs in advance of a new business to select and calculate the resources’ capacity that will be used. Therefore, the demonstrator will contain three approaches: modeling of processes, requirements analysis and simulation. To include practical requirements into the development, especially small and medium sized 3PLs, but also large scale 3PLs and software developing companies, take part within a project panel.

This research project is encouraged by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy through AiF and on behalf of BVL (Bundesvereinigung Logistik).

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Clausen

Funding and partners