Enterprise scheduling: Hybrid and hierarchical issues

We build a hybrid discrete-continuous simulation model of the manufacturing enterprise system. This model consists of an overall system dynamics model of the manufacturing enterprise and connected to it are a number of discrete event simulations for selected operational and tactical functions. System dynamics modeling best fits the macroscopic nature of activities at the higher management levels while the discrete models best fit the microscopic nature of the operational and tactical levels. An advanced mechanism based on information theory is used for the integration of the different simulation modeling modalities. In addition, the impact of the decisions at the factory level in scheduling are analyzed at the management level. The different models of control are discussed.