Gain agility, speed and efficiency through strategic planning

The basis for optimizing a supply chain is always the analysis of the current network structure. For this purpose, in W2MO a digital twin of the network can be built. By visualization of product flows, use of heatmaps, and graphical presentation of service-level areas, W2MO enables a comprehensive overview of all core information in the network. Various reports for product flows, transport volumes, and costs create the basis to identify any inefficiencies and potential improvements within the supply chain.

Planning and optimization projects often compare different scenarios. Typical questions range from new procurement and supply chain strategies over different allocations of products to locations up to the fundamental question of the correct position and number of locations. With the interactive structure of W2MO, such scenarios can be analyzed and evaluated quickly and easily – often even directly on the map. The integrated scenario manager makes it possible to directly compare different alternatives or time periods, such as various supply strategies or “location-product” allocations.

Depending on the required level of detail and data availability, each individual customer and supply order are considered individually or composed into batches according to a certain transport logic. All levels of the supply chain are considered. Later an overall picture is created – based on costs, capacities, and transport times. Using a flexible modeling paradigm, W2MO offers the possibility to specifically adjust the level of detail and increase or refine it on demand.

In addition to classic scenarios, risk analyses of the supply chain can be performed to improve the assessment of the effects of disruptive events. In parallel, an analysis of the customs effects as well as a total cost-to-serve analysis is also easily possible.

W2MO uses a powerful optimization engine and high-performance algorithms to choose suitable locations and then turn them into the best possible solutions. W2MO is helpful regardless of whether the locations are determined by center-of-gravity, or by targeted selection considering the order structure out of many hypothetical location candidates.

Especially in planning projects it is useful to run through different possibilities. In order to be able to compare these models in a meaningful way and to identify deviations, the Scenario Manager offers numerous options.

Various key figures such as costs, the number of transports and many more can be compared. These are generally global indicators. However, it is also possible to consider different filters. On the one hand, this makes it possible to look at regional differences. On the other hand, it can be used to restrict the analysis to specific product or customer groups.

In addition, it is possible to focus the analysis on the different locations.

Thanks to the synchronization of the maps, the effects of different scenarios can also be visualized. All in all, the Scenario Manager offers a comprehensive tool for analyzing a project.

Lots of data is needed for successful supply chain optimization. This data is often heterogeneously distributed in different systems. W2MO is distinguished by particularly easy data management. Imports can be done directly via a csv-file or through a direct connection to the database of another system. Logivations is an SAP Application Development Partner and offers the possibility to dock on all standard SAP systems via a standard interface. Many standard SAP tables are already prepared in W2MO to simplify the integration. Customized configurations can easily be added. In addition, W2MO contains algorithms to check data consistency. Obvious data errors can be corrected automatically. This allows you to easily create a complete digital twin ready for quick analysis at any time.

The non-relational database structure and the use of highly parallelized algorithms enable the processing of huge amounts of data. Models with several hundreds of millions of orderlines along with a distribution network with a multitude of customer accounts can be easily edited.

Every change in the supply chain network directly influences the cost structure of individual locations while also changing their requirement profile. The interaction of planning and optimization of logistics networks with individual locations enables a holistic and integrated approach. Therefore, the effects of proposed changes are not only visible at once, but can also be analyzed directly in the simulation model and tested on their suitability for practical use. This closes the gap between supply chain optimization and warehouse logistics planning. W2MO builds a bridge between these worlds and allows its users to face nowadays’ rapidly changing markets with the necessary agility. The digital twins of network and locations interact work hand in hand.