Overview
Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation for Warehousing and Logistics Library software enables you to rapidly create realistic simulation models of dynamic warehousing and logistics operations.
Description
The Plant Simulation Warehousing and Logistics Asset Library provides functionality for simulating all aspects of a warehouse operation. As well as standard warehouse functionalities, such as storage racks, layout and reach trucks, the software also includes functions for order picking and value-added logistics. The behavior of these objects mimics reality by allowing for things such as varying demand, disruption of resources and variable pick times, and offers unrivaled realism compared with other popular calculation methods.
The library can easily be expanded with the addition of specific objects and/or client-specific control strategies. Interfaces to the most popular applications support analyses and reuse of data, such as data from an existing warehouse management systems for example. The library is equipped with an extensive tool set that can be used to test and optimize various scenarios and designs. Performance measurements are presented in a very clear way with the aid of reports and dashboards. The warehousing and logistics process is visualized with appealing 2D and 3D animations.
Areas of Application
1. Conceptual warehouse design
The main requirements for conceptual design simulations are ease of use and communication. At this stage many options, such as the site, layout and time windows, are still open and detailed data are rarely available. The extensive standard library supports conceptual simulations with fast design tools, animation of the process flow and visualization of key performance indicators.
2. Detailed warehouse design
At the detailed design stage accuracy and extensive ‘what-if’ analyses are the main requirements. Conceptual designs can be elaborated with available data about equipment and material flows. The library contains an extensive set of fully configurable equipment and control strategies for accurate simulations. An automated experiment evaluation environment enables analysis and optimization of a wide range of scenarios, including different layouts.
3. Planning and optimizing an existing operation
Benchmarking a warehouse operation against a simulation model is an objective way of optimizing warehouse performance. Simulation models also can be used for operational planning. Reuse of data and flexibility are the keys to efficient benchmarking. Various kinds of quantitative and qualitative data, such as past orders, inbound and outbound flows and equipment breakdown, can easily be fed into the library regardless of the source. Simulations provide a reliable benchmark with clear visualization of operational and performance parameters.
4. Redesign of existing processes
Every so often warehouse operations need to be redesigned. This is usually necessary when starting to provide services for a new client and when implementing technological innovations. When making these kinds of changes simulation can be extremely valuable. Reliable data about the existing system can be used for this purpose. The Plant Simulation Warehousing and Logistics library is the perfect tool for even the most challenging redesigns. Reliable models can be developed relatively quickly and alternative scenarios and designs are communicated in clear reports and 3D animations.
