E-Business requires the simulation of logistics processes

E-business offers the chance to open new markets for selling and buying. E-business networks include both in-plant and cross-company processes. Therefore they are marked by a high complexity and strong demands regarding the management of the network. The Fraunhofer-Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation developed several high-performance tools for designing and managing e-business networks. Three of these tools namely E-Simulation, E-Optimisation and the Internet-based Logistic Analysis are described in this paper. E-Simulation allows users to simulate their own scenarios via Internet and benefit from the advantages of a dynamic simulation. If required, models can be adapted to changing conditions of the production environment. E-Optimisation is an Internet sevice for the determination of otimised production schedules based on flexible optimisation algorithms. The third tool described in the paper, the Internet-based logistics analysis is an electronic service that identifies rationalisation potentials in production logistics in a fast and cost-effective way.