An Integrated And Adaptive Decision-Support Framework For High-Tech Manufacturing And Service Networks

Abstract

This article describes the results of one of the ten pilot programmes under the Integrated Manufacturing and Service Systems (IMSS) initiative pursued by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. The objective of this particular programme is to investigate how design, analysis, enhancement and implementation of critical business processes in a manufacturing and service network can be realised using one single simulation/application framework. The overall architecture of the framework outlines how commercial simulation packages and web-service based business process application components would have to be connected through a commercial application framework to achieve maximum leverage and re-usability of the applications involved. In the pilot phase of this programme, research issues were also addressed with regard to mechanisms for interoperation between commercial simulation packages, symbiotic interaction between simulation-based decision support components and physical systems, and simulation speed-up through multiobjective optimal computing budget allocation techniques on a grid infrastructure.

Bridging the gap

“…Individual research projects developed different, but incompatible approaches to the use of the HLA supporting distributed simulation with specific CSPs. These included AnyLogic TM [Borshchev et al 2002], AutoSched TM [Gan et al 2005;Lendermann et al 2007], Witness TM [Taylor et al 2005a], SIMUL8 TM ; and simulation languages MODSIM III TM [Johnson 1999], DEVS [Al-Zoubi and Wainer 2008] and SLX TM . A problem with these approaches is that they are also highly specific to the CSPs that they use.…”

“…Attempts to generalize approaches have developed CSP adaptor software that can be arguably connected to any CSP. Research using this approach includes the supply chain work carried out in the MISSION Project [Rabe et al 2006], experiments with QUEST TM , SIMPLE++ TM , and GAROPS TM [Hibino et al 2002] and research into semiconductor supply chains [Lendermann et al 2007]. Uygun et al [2009] refine these approaches by attempting to generalize data models used to interface with the HLA.…”

“…These were created by following SISO's Balloted Standards Development and Support Process (BPDSP), which involves several rounds of voting/balloting and refinement before a standard is formally recognized by SISO's Standards Activity Committee (SAC) and its Executive Committee (EXCOM). Examples of research based on IRMs include Wang et al [2006], who studied possible implementations, Taylor et al [2005a], who investigated the use of distributed simulation in engine manufacturing, Gan et al [2005] and Lendermann et al [2007], who investigated the use of distributed simulation in semiconductor manufacturing supply chains, and Mustafee et al [2009], who applied distributed simulation to a healthcare supply chain. Many of these authors have participated in the development of the CSPI standards.…”

Ad Hoc Distributed Dynamic Data-Driven Simulations of Surface Transportation Systems

“…COERCE is a semi-automated transformation process for building simulations which support dynamic modification and refinement to match runtime conditions [12]. Symbiotic simulations used to create decision support systems for manufacturing applications are described by Lendermann and colleagues [13].…”

An online transportation system simulation testbed

“…Online simulations have also been referred to symbiotic simulations, emphasizing the potential symbiotic relationship between on-line simulators and the system being modeled. They have been proposed for decision support systems for manufacturing applications, as described in (Lendermann et al 2005).…”