Multi-agent System Approach for the Strategic Planning in Ramp-Up Production of Small Lots

This paper discusses the methodology for the development of a strategic planning tool, and particularly the architectural solution to be adopted, within an integrated ICT solution for the improvement of planning and scheduling systems for the manufacturing of small production lots of complex products. After the analysis of different possible architectural solutions, the paper proposes a hybrid solution that combines existing solvers with the multi-agent system principles. The proposed approach introduces several benefits, namely in terms of flexibility, robustness, and achievement of exploratory alternative solutions, playing interactive what-if simulation supporting decision-makers to take strategic decisions.