This research uses a multi-period simulation model of a
production operation that incorporates a manufacturing planning
and inventory tracking system. A hybrid simulation approach
is employed using MicrosofP Excel to model the
Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRPII) function, while
ProModel simulation software is used for the development
and operation of the model production environment.
Microsoft e Visual Basic ® is used to create a bridge between
systems for schedule dissemination and inventory updates.
The integrated computer simulation modeling approach developed
to conduct this research is novel in the sense that
multi-period simulation, incorporating MRP, has not been
widely used based on available literature.