Decision support systems in manufacturing: a survey and future trends
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a theoretical decision support framework, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI), discrete-event simulation (DES) and database management technologies so as to determine the steady state flow of items (e.g. fixtures, jigs, tools, etc.) in manufacturing.
Design/methodology/approach
The existing literature was carefully reviewed to address the state of the arts in decision support systems (DSS), the shortcomings of pure simulation-based and pure AI-based DSS. A conceptual example is illustrated to show the integrated application of AI, simulation and database components of the proposed DSS framework.
Findings
Recent DSS studies have revealed the limitations of pure simulation-based and pure AI-based DSS. A new DSS framework is required in manufacturing to address these limitations, taking into account the problems of flowing items.
Research limitations/implications
The theoretical DSS framework is proposed using simple rules and equations. This implies that it is not complex for software development and implementation. Practical data are not presented in this paper. A real DSS will be developed using the proposed theoretical framework and realistic results will be presented in the near future.
Originality/value
The proposed theoretical framework reveals how the integrated components of DSS can work together in manufacturing in order to determine the stable flow of items in a specific production period. Especially, the integrated performance of case-based reasoning (CBR) and DES is conceptually illustrated.
Keywords
Citation
Kasie, F.M., Bright, G. and Walker, A. (2017), "Decision support systems in manufacturing: a survey and future trends", Journal of Modelling in Management, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 432-454. https://doi.org/10.1108/JM2-02-2016-0015
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited