An Agent-based System for Sales and Operations Planning in Manufacuring Supply Chain

A major problem faced by manufacturing organizations is providing efficient and cost-effective responses to the unpredictable changes taking place in global markets and in supply chains. Sales and Operations Planning helps giving better customer service, lower inventory, shorten customer lead times, stabilized production rates providing top management with a handle on the business and supporting a company to get and keep demand and supply in balance over time. This paper proposes a multi-agent based system that would enable small and medium-size manufacturing organizations to dynamically achieve cost-effective aggregate sales and operations plans in supply chain contexts. The simulation of the agent’s interactions supports planners, in supply chain operations planning, providing multiple scenarios with respect to the balance between supply and demand. This paper presents the main features of the proposed system and it finally discusses the benefits and limitations highlighted by its application in real industrial contexts.