Simulation analysis for a retail-cross-docking center

Materials handling of a cross-docking center under retail distribution environment is complicated and labour intensive. Managers are usually under enormous pressure to optimize the staff shifts, inbound schedules and operating rules to minimize handling costs while ensuring just-in-time shipments. In this study, a discrete-event simulation model is developed to understand and validate the operation of a retail-cross-docking center. The simulation model is tested and validated at an actual retail-cross-docking center in order to confirm its effectiveness. Furthermore, the model is found to be both practical and powerful to provide critical support for logistics managers in management decision making at a cross-docking center.