Implementation of a software prototype with ConWIP characteristics for production planning and stock management

Abstract

Production planning is an elementary aspect of supply chain management and requires appropriate and effective tools. The purpose of this paper is to present the concept, design, and implementation of a software prototype for production planning that incorporates aspects of the Constant Work-In-Process (ConWIP) manufacturing system. In introductory sections, essential knowledge about fundamental strategies of production planning and the concept of ConWIP are subsumed. After a brief illustration of the manufacturing process in the company for which this work has been conducted, various aspects of the actual software implementation are presented. The paper concludes with a discussion about potentials and limitations of the solution. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.