Abstract:
The research reported in this thesis is related to the development and use of software
tools for supporting warehouse design and management. Computer Aided Design and
Simulation techniques are used to develop a software system that forms the basis of a
Decision Support System for warehouse design.
The current position of simulation software is reviewed. It is investigated how
appropriate current simulation software is for warehouse modelling. Special attention
is given to Visual Interactive Simulation, graphics, animation and user interfaces.
The warehouse design process is described and common difficulties are highlighted.
A Decision Support System (DSS) framework is proposed to give support during all
the warehouse design phases.
The use of simulation in warehouse design is identified as being essential for
evaluating different warehouse configurations. Several simulation models are used to
show that the warehouse systems special characteristics require a new way of defining
the simulation model and new modelling elements to represent the complex logic of a
warehouse system.
AWARD (Advanced WARehouse Design) is a data-driven generic model, developed
to build warehouse simulation models. It uses Computer Aided Design (CAD)
techniques for drawing the warehouse layout and configuring the simulation model.
The user has no need for programming skills and a user-friendly interface makes it
easy to use. High resolution colour graphics and a scale drawing of the warehouse
makest he dynamic display of the model a good representationo f the real system.
Several examples illustrate the use of the AWARD system. The experience and
advantages of the AWARD approach is discussed and the extension of this approach
to other areas is explored.
