An architecture of a multi-model system for planning and scheduling

An architecture of a multi-model based system for production planning and scheduling is described. The multi-model system is defined as a system integrating expert systems techniques, discrete event simulation, optimization algorithms and heuristics to support decision making for complex production planning and scheduling problems. The object-oriented approach is used for data modelling. The functional modules and their interconnection will be described. The operational architecture is described and the implementation phases of a specific application with the proposed system are explained. A hybrid flowshop planning and scheduling problem using the multi-model approach is then presented.