A Decision Support System for production planning

The paper presents a Decision Support System (DSS) for production planning of Kraftliner paper rolls on a make-to-order basis. Paper of several basic weights and qualities is produced in jumbo rolls which are cut according to the widths, diameters and special cutting and packaging requirements of the ordered rolls. A hierarchical approach is used and the designed hierarchy consists of the following levels: (i) aggregate production planning, (ii) scheduling and sequencing of basic weights and qualities, (iii) optimisation of cutitng patterns, and (iv) scheduling and sequencing of cutting patterns. The criteria in the hierarchy are optimised lexicographically. Optimisation models are presented for levels (i) and (iii). The paper provides an overview of the current version of the DSS, pointing out its architecture and its functionalities. An example illustrating the construction of a cutting plan is also presented.