BISLogistics is a tool to analyse and document multi-modal transport systems. It was designed to describe real transport systems in sufficient detail for simulation but does not require that users understand how to construct a simulation model.

Typical uses include:

• Identifying and evaluating improvement opportunities
• Feasibility studies of new business opportunities
• Preparing a business case for fleet replacement
• Forecasting the probability of meeting customer requirements
• Evaluating the impact of inventory levels and fleet configuration on stock availability and total operation cost
• Impact of extra or third-party cargoes
• Scheduling
• Cost allocation

The solution consists of a special purpose interface between the simulation engine in Meta Software Corporation's WorkFlow Analyzer and a SQL Server database. The analysis results are stored in the database and displayed as tables and charts in Excel.

Simulation provides the means of closely representing real systems to identify and trial improvement opportunities in compressed time and without disturbing current operations. Simulation is particularly useful to investigate the interplay between tasks and available resources.

BISLogistics creates a transient simulation model based on the system description stored in the database. The database can contain multiple scenarios and they can share much information. Each transient simulation model, and the results produced by running the simulation, will be unique to that scenario.

Adding customised code for a particular transport application can enhance the functionality. Customisation is needed for scheduling and cost allocation in particular, because the 'right' answer is dependent on the rules of the individual business.

A brief description of the logic behind BISLogistics is set out on this page.

Some examples of the interface screens are shown on the following pages.