Simulation Tool for Managing a Non-automated Distribution Warehouse

In this paper, a simulation study is carried out to identify potential improvements in the management of a nonautomated distribution warehouse which is located between manufacturers and small retailers. The simulation model has been used to obtain valuable knowledge of the operational characteristics of the warehouse. We aim at understanding the effect of an automatic storage upon the occupied space of the warehouse. Different scenarios are taken into account by using an experimental design technique. The analysis of the simulation results lead up to find out the value of the parameters causing the strongest effect on the performance measures previously defined, allow to assess the value of introducing changes provided the current storage procedure and give important insights about the behaviour of the whole system.