Simulation modeling and non-automated cross-docking center

Materials handling at a non-automated cross-docking center is complicated and labour intensive. Managers are usually under enormous pressure to optimize personnel planning, inbound scheduling to minimize overall handling cost as well as to ensure just-in-time shipment. This paper demonstrates how to model a complex non-automated cross-docking system via simulation to analyze system operation without disruption to the system being modeled. It is intended to help logistics managers with their daunting management decisions, as well as simulation practitioners who need to model operations of non-automated cross-docking systems within a computer environment.