A Study On Simulation And Evaluation For Logistics Capability Of Distribution Centers

Logistics capability of distribution centers refers to its capability in terms of storage, transportation, package and carrying. Prime factors influencing logistics capability include location and surrounding environments, functional districts layout, equipments configuration, information handling competence and organization management design. Simulation is an effective tool to evaluate logistics capability as well as assistant decision-making and lower implementing risk. Researchers in home and abroad have gradually put simulation into practice of evaluating distribution center systems and gained successful results. However, all-around research in area of relevant methods and theory is fewness.This thesis extends the research area of simulation and evaluation for logistics capability of distribution centers to relevant methods and theory. First, it describes systematically the evaluation index of logistics capability and influencing factors and basic logistics simulation theory. Second, this thesis puts forward an all-around process for simulation and evaluation in accordance with characteristics of the distribution center. Concerning the process, three effective methods and theory are explored; they are Integrated Modeling Method, Object-Oriented Method and Simulation Response Analysis Methodology. In details, by setting up object model, dynamic model and function model step by step, Integrated Modeling Method is employed in establishing the system model. Object-Oriented Method is used to establish the simulation model consistent with the system model by dividing the distribution center into four types of objects: equipments, products, spaces and jobs. Simulation Response Analysis Methodology is somewhat a model to optimize the distribution center that has some necessary specialties, basing on empirical data analysis. At last, this thesis introduces an example of steel distribution center of Metal Corporation in Hubei, putting the above theory and methods into practice in order to show the application of simulation and evaluation process in distribution centers.