Enhancing enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution system efficiency: a simulation-based decision support approach

Business units conduct activities based on business processes. Systems currently exists at various levels of the business. Systems, inclusive of enterprise resource planning, manufacturing execution systems and plant systems has been adopted by larger corporates in executing and optimising business functions. These large businesses are described as complex entities with complex business structures inclusive of business processes. The quantification of automation, escalations and critical variables of these business processes has not been effectively conducted. This research focuses on the development, and configuration, of a simulation model for modelling enterprise maturity via business processes. This research approach includes hierarchical layout exploring these enterprise operations adopting business process tools, techniques, and methodologies aligned with a systems thinking approach. A simulation framework is configured and tested. The results indicate that interdependent processes can be modelled together by determining impacts of multiple critical variables in minimising business process execution times.