Short term Product distribution plan for multisite batch production, warehousing and distribution operations: solutions through Supply-Demand network and Resource-Task network optimisation approaches

摘要

An industrial production-distribution planning problem encompassing multisite batch processing plants, warehousing and distribution operations, containing a large number of process operational constraints has been investigated using both Supply-Demand Network and Resource-Task Network approaches. Both approaches have been able to solve the problem optimally and generated an integrated product distribution plan; but the distribution patterns are found to be different. Detailed analysis indicate that the Resource-Task Network approach offers a higher potential in solving varieties of integrated planning problems including complicated batch process operations.