Simulation, a framework for analysing SME supply chains

The following paper briefly presents the formulation and development of a case study supply chain simulation model as developed for an industrial company. The case study company in question is considered to be a vertically integrated organisation, offering a complete range of its related industries products to a global marketplace. The paper reviews the scale of supply chain system being analysed, the type of data required to populate such a model and the performance outputs from the model. These outputs include the percentage of demand that is both on time and in full (OTIF%), the days of inventory held in finished stock and also the finished stock quantities. The paper also reviews the scope of such a model by reviewing some of the experimental work as carried out on this model and highlights the usefulness of such a model as an aid to supply chain decision making in a SME.