Denise Lindstrom Bandeira

A DSS for integrated distribution of empty and full containers

A DSS integrating empty and full containers transshipment operations is presented, addressing the typically unbalanced export/import containers trading problem. The problem is modeled as a network, where nodes represent customers, leasing companies, harbors and warehouses, while arcs represent transportation routes. The underlying mathematical model operates in stages, first prioritizing and adjusting full containers demands considering available empty containers supplies, and then statically optimizing costs. Transportation routes are registered and dynamically controlled, cyclically, for a given time horizon. The DSS is flexible, allowing several parameters to be configured. Experimental examples using randomly generated parameters were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the system.

Aumento de eficiência por meio do mapeamento do fluxo de produção e aplicação do Índice de Rendimento Operacional Global no processo produtivo de uma empresa de componentes eletrônicos

The constant search for excellence in business has required a thorough knowledge of all company resources, especially with regard to the production area, in which value is indeed added to the final product. Process mapping, elimination of losses, and control through reliable indicators are essential to the enhancement of knowledge and decision making support. Based on these assumptions, this study presents a case study conducted in the production process of a manufacturing plant of high-vibration resistant capacitors for the automotive industry. The goal was to achieve efficiency, firstly by measuring the production cycles, next by identifying flaws, and at lastly by proposing initiatives aimed at increasing the IROG (Index of Global Operating Income). The application of this method allowed identifying the bottleneck operation and other limiting factors of the process helping to boost the company’s efficiency.

Sistemática multicritério para priorização de embarques marítimos

The aims of this article is to present the group decision-making process carried out with executives from a shipping agency operating in the south of Brazil, in which the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was used as support. The decision involved the prioritization of booking confirmations for the shipment of cargos for export at a particular moment in time, in a situation of scarcity - a lack of empty containers or space on the available vessels. The study context was the harbor of Rio Grande, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The choice of the organization and the harbor was done by convenience. It was used the methodology of problem solution of the operating research (problem formulation, model design, model solution, model testing and solution evaluation, and final evaluation) to generate a mathematical model for supporting decision makers on prioritizing booking confirmations for shipment of cargos. Secondary data were collected from the studied company. It was done meetings for generating the model with the commercial team of the company, composed by four employees and one manager. The method proved appropriate for broadening the mind of the decision makers as it facilitated the incorporation within the decision making process of other factors rather than the purely financial view, by taking into consideration managerial and organizational factors. The validation of the process by the group of executives included an assessment of the quality of the decision taken. The executives involved were unanimous in stating their satisfaction with the results obtained with the use of the technique.

Processo de escolha da melhor localização de unidades operacionais móveis: uma aplicação da técnica processo de análise hierárquica – AHP

This paper presents the application of the Analytic Hierarchic Process (AHP) technique in helping a decision -making process of a young and small sized company that developed and currently make use of a new mobile technology for the heat treatment of wooden packaging and pallets. The decision process comprised choosing the best combination of locations to place the company’s three operational bases. As the heat treatment service must always be provided at the customers’ premises, this decision is crucial to the company survival, as well as for its growth, as it influences a large number of important variables, such as operational costs, supply and training of skilled manpower, response time to costumer’s requests, and others. The company’s portfolio of clients is rising firmly because of the innovative technology used in the process of sterilization. It is currently formed by more than 50 customers spread within a 100,000 square miles area. For the CEO, thinking exclusively in terms of costs appeared to be insufficient. That’s why the AHP was able to provide relevant inputs in this case, by incorporating other factors beyond the purely financial view in its analysis. The factors involved, their hierarchical structure and relative weights, were generated in consensus by the company’s managers and executives’ opinion.

Sistema para distribuição integrada de contêineres cheios e vazios

This paper presents an integrated network model combining empty containers assignment, and empty and full containers transhipment operations, aiming to help managers to deal with the typically unbalanced trading export and import containers. In the network, nodes represent customers, leasing companies, harbors and warehouses; while arcs represent transportation routes. The underlying mathematical model operates in stages. First, the demand for empty containers is adjusted, considering global customers supplies and demands. Next, a transhipment model determines the minimal cost solution, using linear programming. The transportation routes are registered and dynamically controlled, cycling through the stages, for a given time horizon. The model is flexible, allowing several parameters to be configured. A simulation system was implemented using randomly generated parameters, to evaluate the models complexity, to test different solutions, and to verify the mathematical formulation.