Model-Based Integrated Planning for Logistics Service Contracts

In the past, logistics used to be a core function of production and trading companies but many of them started to outsource at least parts of their logistics functions to specialized logistics service providers in terms of logistics contracts. With this, sophisticated business models such as value added logistics service providers evolved which concentrate on tasks of planning, coordination and monitoring of entire supply chains. Most of these tasks encompass a variety of isolated steps in order to deliver efficient logistics processes. In this paper, an approach that supports the integrated planning of logistics contracts is presented. A mechanism for integrating different models which are used during isolated planning tasks is described in detail. Further, an example shows how to generate a simulation model starting from a process description and hence how to make consistently reuse of models.