optimisation

Handling complexity is one of the key topics of producing enterprises worldwide. It can be noted that enterprises are indeed able to coop with the complexity of single processes due to a function-oriented organisation, yet the same organisational paradigm leads to local objective systems that in many cases are contrary to the global goals of the enterprise. The same problem is reflected and supported by the enterprise’s IT systems. Thus, in this paper we present an approach to convert the inflexible function oriented operations into comprehensive processes by introducing special IT systems, so-called logistic assistance systems. To illustrate the approach we introduce the problem of integrated order sequencing and transport planning in the automotive industry and present a prototypical solution.

Due to the increasing energy demand in Brazil renewable energy sources become more and more important. In addition to hydropower which is already used in Brazil there is a high potential for wind energy. In particular the coastal regions in Northern Brazil have great potential for using wind turbines. Modern wind turbines show a clear tendency for larger more powerful and economic usage. But the limits of the physical feasibility are reached. A weight reduction while increasing the maintenance-free operation time is the problem to be solved by a Brazilian-German research team. The Institute of Metal Forming, RWTH Aachen develops a solution with regard to the lightweight construction of generator shafts for large wind turbines within the “Brazilian German Collaborative Research Initiative in Manufacturing Technology” (BRAGECRIM) together with the “Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre, Brazil).

This article gives an answer to the question whether the simulation of business processes, which usually is a one-time activity, is a tool that can be used for a permanent analysis of business procedures. It could then be used as an indicator for necessary organisational changes and for possible optimisation. Furthermore an intuitive user interface will be introduced, which allows to leave the adjustment of the model to the worker inexperienced with concerns of simulation.