Simulation of Multi-Level Order-Picking systems within rough planning for decision making

Rough planning of multi-level order-picking systems is a very diffivult job because you have to consider a great number of versions. The planner has to decide on the basis of his experience, which systems will perform services best. In the early stage of development he cannot supply evidence that the systems he has chosen are better than others. Simulation can be a great means to ensure the decision of a planner by considering variability and changes in picking orders and assortments. This paper wants to point out how a planning tool can assist a planner so that he can do his job in a much safer way. For this, it is shown, which standard elements are needed for automation of the simulation of the multi-level order-picking system. Furthermore, we want to point out what results you can achieve by simulation for the purpose of rough planning and how to validate them for decision making...