Simulations provide a method of digitally modelling a scenario that has or could happen in the real world.
A simulation takes a range of inputs from the customers existing supply chain network, such as historical demands, providers/accounts and fulfilment locations. These actual network inputs can be taken as a standard input or blended with a range of generated/hypothetical inputs, such as forecast demands or alternative fulfilment locations.
Using these inputs, customers can model a range of, "What if?" scenarios, providing an output that can be analysed to help inform decision making around supply chain network set-up & configuration.
Historically, preparing data for simulations has often been the most difficult part of the process. However, the 7bridges software has already standardised and harmonised a customer's supply chain data so it is perfectly prepared for running these simulations.
What kind of simulations can be run?
Network optimisation
Currently, all Optimise customers can run Network Optimisation simulations, helping to make optimised demand fulfilment decisions for your customer orders as shipments from the fulfilment locations in your network. This also includes use of Market Insight rate cards, leveraging potential market rates to explore the benefit of other provider relationships.
Freight Load Optimisation
In addition, Optimise advanced customers gain access to Freight Load Optimisation simulations. These allow you to optimise order fulfilment decisions for your suppliers to your warehouses within Europe.
Procurement
Procurement simulations focus on analysing provider responses when responding to an RFI for pricing. The simulations engine will use the RFI data and provider responses to model the most optimal way to procure new providers and utilise their services across the customers network. This analysis will include negotiation insights, costs and performance analysis, etc.
Experiments and simulations
Within the Simulations section in the software, customers can create experiments based on the types above. You specify the input data for an experiment and then you can create any number of simulations using that input data.