Production‐distribution network analysis using an intelligent simulator

Existing simulation tools are able to map large size supply chains and can accommodate complex random phenomena. Nevertheless, they have significant weakness in the power of decision‐making. Indeed, most of the problems of decision‐making are typically determined by simplified rules. For this reason, involving optimisation tools in decision‐making will allow the simulation to explore the real performance of a supply chain. Motivated by the limitations of existing supply chains simulation and optimisation tools, the aim of this study is to combine them in a single tool. More specifically, we aim to develop an 'intelligent' simulation tool with an embedded optimisation tool to solve various decision‐making problems encountered during the simulation of a complex supply chain. Including an optimisation tool in a simulation tool allows accurate assessment of supply chains performances and overcome the lack of powers of decision‐making in traditional simulation tools.