LDNST: A Prototype Supply Chain Simulation Tool for Evaluating the Supply Chain Distributing Strategies

LDNST (Logistical Distribution Network Simulation Tool) has been modeled and developed to assist of studying the alternative stocking locations , distribution strategies, and the daily routing schedule in a food supply chain . The model represents the distribution network of a German food producer. The company produces thousands of product types and serving a lot of distribution centers in Germany and Europe. This paper describes the specific logic details of the developed simulation tool along with its effectiveness in comparing distribution strategies for locating inventory and minimizing total logistic costs within the supply chain levels. One of the main objectives of this paper was to present the design and development steps of a real life supply chain simulation model of a German food supply chain firm, which will used in assisting the logistics supply chain managers in evaluating the distribution supply chain performance measures. Therefore, some theoretical and practical operational modeling logics have been considered in the developing the Logistical Distribution Network Simulation Tool (LDNST) according to a conceptual supply chain framework was developed before utilizing the SCOR level 1 and 2 and The use case map (UCM) notation method. In this paper detailed operational elements proposed in SCOR 6.1 model levels 3 and 4 more see in [1,2].