MAISTeR: a user friendly software package for performance analysis and decision, based on (max,+) algebra

This paper deals with a software package, called MAISTeR, that has been developed in collaboration with industry, which is concerned with the optimization of manufacturing systems that also involve human resources. A global model of the production line (or part of the line) is obtained by concatenation of sub-models, using a new approach using feedforward and feedback transfer equations based on the formal theory of (max,+) algebra.