Agent-based modeling to support operations management in a multi-plant enterprise

A global industrial enterprise is a complex network of different distributed production plants producing, handling, and distributing specific products. Agent-based modeling is a proven approach for modeling complex networks of intelligent and distributed actors. In this paper we will demonstrate how an agent-based model can be used to evaluate the dynamic behavior of a global enterprise, considering both the system-level performance as well as the components' behavior. Such quantitative model can be very useful for predicting the effects of local and operational activities on plant performance and improving the tactical and strategic decision-making at the enterprise level.