Cross-docking coordination conducts real-time task generation, sequencing and assignment and resource allocation.
We consider a pure cross-docking preallocation scenario. The information such as what cargo should be delivered to where in a particular day (information come from ERP, Order management systems), facilities (size, shape), and resources (forklifts, doors) are taken as input. Our research focuses on the following crossdocking operation issues:
When should a vehicle arrive in the cross-dock?
Which group of containers should enter the cross- dock with time-overlapping?
Which dock should a container be allocated to?
What should be the sequence of exchanging of pallets between containers?
How to handle dynamics on arriving, processing, and facility uncertainty?
How to produce the tasks which would be assigned to forklifts for exchanging pallets?
A number of assumptions are applied in the cross-docking model:
A pure crossdocking scenario is considered where pallets are stored in containers and are exchanged between containers.
Product assumptions: multiple types of products are processed in the crossdocking center and the products in the incoming containers are known. Products are packaged in pallets. One pallet includes only one type of product.
Containers assumptions: a container can take multiple pallets; each container has a capacity limitation.
Pallets assumptions: the pallets have standard dimensions and volume. The transfer cost of pallets would be the same if the moving distance is the same. The transfer cost of a pallet is independent of the number of pallets being transferred.
Crossdock facility: a crossdock has a number of doors where containers can be allocated for exchanging pallets. A door can be used for both inbound and outbound purposes. Forklifts are used in crossdock for pallet unloading, movement, and loading.