Decision support model : For increased effiviency in warehouse environments

The globalized world has increased people’s awareness, which has resulted in a higher demand for better quality as well as shorter led times, without increasing the selling price. The fact that companies are actively working with streamlining processes of the existing business can therefore be seen as crucial for its future existence. In this study, a decision support model for the initial part of streamlining projects for warehouses has been developed. The model is based on key theories and methods of efficiency and warehouse layouts. This constitutes the theoretical foundation, for which the six areas of the model were designed. The model is based on a process- and rating structure, in which the six areas were broken down to 12 matrices and 1 summary. In each matrix, the solution methods are rated based on their individual properties against crucial parameters. As support for the model, complementary questions for each area have been developed, to give the user good opportunities to gather necessary information and data. By answering the questions and studying the matrices, the user has a good foundation to select the alternatives that fits the company’s needs. By doing this, the user will be able in a timely manner to identify the most relevant opportunities, and thus also discard those who do not possess the requested features or properties. This study has resulted in a model whose strength lies in its ability to allow companies, at an earlier stage, to allocate resources to the solutions that are relevant and therefore should be examined more closely. This based on the company's situation, goals and needs