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CRC 637  >>  Subprojects  >>  Project Group B  >  B2

B2 - Konzeption eines Modellierungswerkzeugs zur Gestaltung adaptiver Geschäftsprozesse für die Integration von Wertschöpfungsketten

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Scholz-Reiter

BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik
an der Universität Bremen
Bereich Intelligente Produktions- und Logistiksysteme (IPS)
Hochschulring 20, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Tel: +49 421 218 50000, Fax: +49 421 218 50003
E-Mail , Homepage
Motivation

Adaptive control of logistic processes is proposed as a possibility to better cope with increasing complexity and dynamics of logistic systems. Supported by new technological developments planning and control decisions (and information processing required for them) are not made by a central entity. They are made decentralized and performed by the logistic objects themselves. Software agents have already been proofed to be a reasonable technology to implement such logistical objects. This subproject is motivated through the perception, that the current agent-oriented design methods are rather orientated for software developers than supporting logistics process specialists with manageable methods for logistic process analysis and modelling.

Results Phase 1 (2004-2007)

Initially the basic requirements for the modelling method were identified. Afterwards a modelling concept was established, which formed the basis for further method development by a rough specification of the model components especially regarding type and level of metaisation.

These basics were the starting point for the design of the view concept with static and dynamic part models and allows an integration of ideas from modelling processes, knowledge and agents.

The description of the contents of the several views was followed by the selection of adequate diagrams and notations as well as the definition of the way to use them and their view spanning connections.

A procedure for guidance through the model development process and quality assurance have been produced.

Objectives Phase 2 (2008-2011)

The project aims to establish a process expert-oriented wholisitc method and tool support for logistic systems based on autonomous cooperating processes and its evaluation.

For this, the first funding period focused on methods and tools for analysis and specification of autonomous cooperating logistic processes. The second funding period will incorporate supporting methodical and software modules for process simulation, configuration of the specific infrastructure components, and a cost benefit analysis in an integrated development cycle. In addition, the results of the first funding period will be reviewed and detailed as required.

Approach Phase 2 (2008-2011)

Methodical and technical premises will be produced to enable the modeller of autonomous logistic processes to transfer easily a previously designed process model into an appropriate simulation model. The simulation will be used to verify the ability to implement the process model and to identify items that needed a better specification respectively.

Tool support for the configuration of an autonomous specific physical infrastructure will be included. It will be based primarily upon criteria given by the process and simulation model, the classification of the required and desired technical components and on balanced rules based hereon.

At the end, a method for estimation of the operative profitability of the designed autonomous logistic system will be included into the whole toolset.

Results Phase 2 (2008-2011)

During the second period, ALEM has been extended by tools that allow the configuration of an autonomous logistic process’ infrastructure, that allow the simulation of ALEM models and that allow a cost-benefit analysis. In addition, ALEM has been enhanced with notational elements and concepts to represent product structures. In order to describe different infrastructure configurations, a variety of autonomous control architectures has been classified, based on the kind and distribution of the involved abilities and of their control-representation. The classification of those components, required to enable autonomous control in logistic processes, was done according to functional criteria regarding performance and quality. A domain-specific procedure model (ALEM-C) supports logistic process experts with the configuration. With regard to the simulation of ALEM models, a three-stepped procedure has been developed. The procedure uses concepts of the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) and enables a semi-automatic transformation of ALEM models into executable simulation models. The concept has been implemented prototypically for the PlaSMA simulation platform.

Project Staff

M. Sc. Jens Heger

BIBA Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik
an der Universität Bremen
Bereich Intelligente Produktions- und Logistiksysteme (IPS)
Hochschulring 20, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Tel: +49 421 218 50103, Fax: +49 421 218 50003
E-Mail , Homepage


Dipl.-Inf. Stefan Kunaschk

BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik an der Universität Bremen
Bereich Intelligente Produktions- und Logistiksysteme (IPS)
Hochschulring 20, Bremen, Germany
Tel: +49 421 218 50120, Fax: +49 421 218 50003
E-Mail , Homepage


Dipl.-Inf. Daniel Rippel

BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH
Bereich Intelligente Produktions- und Logistiksysteme (IPS)
Hochschulring 20, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Tel: +49 421 218 50137, Fax: +49 421 218 50003
E-Mail , Homepage