Validate Automation System Designs With Simulation

Validate Automation System Designs With Simulation

Implementing a new automation system is a big step — and investment — for distribution and fulfillment (D&F) operations. It can be a daunting prospect, but the industry experts on Honeywell Intelligrated’s Operations and Solutions Development (OSD) team are here to help. We leverage advanced simulation capabilities and data-driven, integrated design methodologies to streamline implementation and validate system performance. Because even if you’re convinced that your solution is the smartest choice for delivering a return on investment (ROI), a little extra validation never hurts.

Seeing is believing

Whether you’re deploying a new distribution center (DC) design or trying to solve a problem in an existing DC, simulations can help you to visualize, demonstrate and verify proposed concepts and options. By simulating the performance of a proposed system or concept, you can:

• Validate expected behaviors
• Predict any potential inefficiencies, bottlenecks or points of failure·      
  
• Anticipate and mitigate any possible risks
• Assess capacities
• Provide peace of mind for stakeholders, including executive and finance teams

When delivering a simulation, OSD’s in-house practitioners consider all aspects of a facility, including physical, logical and operational standpoints. Our data scientists, electrical and mechanical engineers, and design experts use actual product, throughput and workflow data to build comprehensive custom 3D simulations that animate operational and material flows and provide crucial insights into the potential impacts of planned changes.

The big picture: full system simulation

A full system simulation considers the entire layout and all operational functions of a DC. You can use this type of simulation to get a glimpse into the future, i.e., seeing a new facility design “in action” before installing warehouse automation software or equipment. You can also use a full system simulation to develop change scenarios for existing systems that accommodate potential changes to your business, identify risks, and devise mitigation strategies associated with those scenarios.

Targeted insights: subsystem and cell simulations

To evaluate more specific changes to business processes or areas of operation, deployment of new technologies or changes in software logic, the OSD team can develop more targeted simulations. We can also conduct these subsystem or cell simulations as part of a larger DC operational simulation to envision various options before implementing a new solution design.

Simulations consider a DC’s physical layout, operational business rules and flow logic. They also incorporate human behaviors in the context of an automated system. In other words, we don’t just simulate equipment; we simulate operations.

Expert interpretation

Honeywell Intelligrated data scientists work with industry and engineering experts to validate and report the results of every simulation. We then include those observations in a customized report, along with detailed results of sensitivity analyses and custom model scenarios, along with deep dives into any areas of concern or interest. These reports include charts, graphs, 3D model screenshots and videos that help to effectively communicate our findings to individuals at all levels in your organization.

With this information, you’ll have the confidence that your designed solutions will perform as expected.  

A partner like Honeywell Intelligrated can assess your operations, develop holistic solutions, and simulate a more efficient future for your organization. To learn more about Honeywell Intelligrated’s operational consulting process, download our brochure.

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