Supply chains provide a network describing how resources move from a source to delivery for consumption by the end user. Supply chains also involve the components involved in production and transportation of the commodities being moved in the supply chain. There is a need for modeling links in a supply chain to estimate supply and demand and to ensure a balanced amount of the flow of resources from a source through consumption of that resource. Essentially, a better understanding of the complex resource supply chain is needed.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University have developed a method and system to model flow of one or more resources in a supply chain. This may include providing one or more resource databases for modeling the flow. The supply chain can include one or more supply nodes, one or more first stages, one or more second stages, and one or more third stages. For example, a resource can flow from a supply node to a first stage, from the first stage to a second stage, and from the second stage to a third stage. A transportation network may also be considered to calculate minimum distance and a minimum cost between the supply nodes and the stage(s) of the supply chain.
Related Publications:
Potential Applications:
- Logistics (e.g., warehousing, loading and distribution, inventory or stock management, etc.)
Benefits and Advantages:
- Calculate flow of resources within a specific geographic area and also track the movement of resources from source(s) to intermediate stage(s) to end user(s)
- Display resource flows within a geographic area on user interface
- Ability to model the evolution of resource supply chain using actual dependencies, critical linkages, and pinch points
