Information and communication technology: Case of using petri nets for grain delivery simulation at logistics system

Abstract

The paper is showing an example of applied use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT) in logistics. It was proved application expediency of this type of mathematical tools for the solution of the logistic problem on grain delivery based on Petri Nets analysis. It is shown the relevance using of information and communication technologies at such type when choosing the best delivery variant for export cargo turnover of grain freights. The statistics for export of this agricultural products category was presented. It demonstrates the annual growth for volumes of foreign sending. This fact gives prerequisites to using ICT for the successful solution of the considered problems. Interrelations at information exchange by participants of grain delivery were presented. The two-level representation structure for logistics system was described considering this fact. The visual scheme is developed for the system of information and communication technologies when transportation variants of grain cargo turnovers were simulated based on Petri Nets. The mathematical description is executed for operators used for modeling by a network. It is also presented visually network view for an assessment of delivery terms by time indicator. The histogram for three alternatives of a supply chain is designed with the help of simulation results. It allows choosing quickly the acceptable delivery scheme considering the minimum time of cargo turnover passing and, also accounting existence of transportation capacities during the concrete time period. This ICT considerably will accelerate the adoption for correct decision on the choice of a supply chain that minimizes expenses of the logistic companies when exporting the Ukrainian grain.