SIMchronization: a method supporting the synchronisation of information and material flows

Highly productive and fast reacting supply chain networks require a tight and instantaneous coupling of their information and material flows. The application of the presented approach SIMchronization reveals these complex and highly dynamic interactions by using a domain-specific graphical modeling language and behavior-describing rule sets in combination with a discrete simulation algorithm. One output of the simulation's animation component is a set of automatically generated models, so-called 'State Flow Diagrams.' A 'State Flow Diagram' shows information flows, like sent messages, and corresponding material flows, like processed parts, numbered according to their occurrence in the respective period. A comparison of two diagrams from different periods illustrates the development of stock levels and helps synchronize the supply chain. The diagrams are an easily comprehensible and appropriate means to communicate operative implementation concepts of newly designed or modified supply chains.