Comparison of decentralised and centralised computer-based production control

In this article we present the main new features of the agent system DEPRODEX (Decentralised Production Control Expert) and its centralised counterpart ZEPRODEX. By testing these prototypes with more than 300 scenarios using a bicycle model plant we were able to compare several decentralised and centralised production control methods. Both conventional as well as new developed ones were evaluated. The results of these comparisons are judged concerning several factors of influence (e.g, complexity of manufacturing process, deviation of master scheduled flow-times etc.). This project is part of the special research organisation "Multiprocessor and Network Configurations" SFB 182 kindly sponsored by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).