A web-based simulation optimization system for industrial scheduling

Many real-world production systems are complex in nature and it is a real challenge to find an efficient scheduling method that satisfies the production requirements as well as utilizes the resources efficiently. Tools like discrete event simulation (DES) are very useful for modeling these systems and can be used to test and compare different schedules before dispatching the best schedules to the targeted systems. DES alone, however, cannot be used to find the "optimal" schedule. Simulation-based optimization (SO) can be used to search for optimal schedules efficiently without too much user intervention. Observing that long computing time may prohibit the interest in using SO for industrial scheduling, various techniques to speed up the SO process have to be explored. This paper presents a case study that shows the use of a Web-based parallel and distributed SO platform to support the operations scheduling of a machining line in an automotive factory.