News

“Dynamic Fleet Management: Concepts, Systems, Algorithms & Case Studies”

Zeimpekis, V., Tarantilis, C.D., Giaglis, G.M., Minis, I. Springer-Verlag, New York, 241pages, 2007.

This book focuses on real time management of distribution systems, integrating the latest results in system design, algorithm development and system implementation to capture the state-of-the art research and application trends. Although research in this area of transportation problems has concentrated on executing static plans on optional distribution conditions, this book examines problems when some dynamic or unplanned even occurs within the transport or network system. It will focus specifically on these cases and integrate the latest results in systems, routing algorithms and case studies where information (a dynamic event) is revealed to the decision maker in a real-time manner. The book investigates and analyzes the emerging field of Dynamic Fleet Management from several perspectives, presenting the systemic background of important topics such as goods dispatching, couriers, rescue and repair services, taxi cab services, and more. Algorithmic approaches are outlined for processing real time information and producing acceptable-quality solutions in modest computing times. The book includes real-life case studies that describe the solution to actual distribution problems by combining systemic and algorithmic approaches.

Post date: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 14:59
Innovative Methods for Business Development and Organization in the Northern Aegean Region
Project Duration

22 months (June 2006 – March 2008)

Project Partners
1. DeOPSys Lab, Financial & Management Engineering, Aegean University
2. ENA Chios S.A. – Developmental Company
3. Planning S.A. – Management Consultants,
Funding

This project is funded by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology (G.S.R.T), implemented under the North Aegean Regional Operational Programme (ROP).

Scope

The main scope of this project is the imprinting of existing situation in the Northern Aegean Region and the analysis of basic sectors amining at the emergence of investment opportunities that will contribute in the configuration of a favourable economic environment.

Following it will be implemented research of needs of SMEs in North Aegean in order to be found or prevented enterprising problems and resolve them. More concretely, they will be created and applied "clinicals" in 20-25 enterprises of region in the sectors of supply chain, alteration, tourism and energy and finally they will be valued the results of all "clinicals" individually and generally. DeOPSys Lab constitutes a basic tool of the particular program. His geographic place (region Chios) in combination with the experienced personnel and the technological requirements they constitute basic parameters for the success of program and the emergence of innovative products and processes. More concretely, the contribution of Laboratory lies in the followings:
- Planning of methodology (in the particular work the methodology includes the essential steps that should be done. The main scope is the effective imprinting of existing situation of region as well as the effective localisation of enterprising needs),
- In collaboration with the other project partners will be implemented experimental research and application of "clinicals",
- Determination of methodology for the growth of a model in region of Northern Aegean with axes the growth of networking and the appointment of innovative practices.
Post date: Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 11:33
MA.D.RE.L (Management of Dynamic Requests in Logistic Services)
Project Duration

18 months (September 2006 – March 2008)

Project Partners
1. DeOPSys Lab, Financial & Management Engineering, Aegean University
2. G4S Telematix – Informatic and telematic systems implemetation company
3. Planning S.A. – Management Consultants,
4. ELTA-Courier
Funding

This project is funded by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology (G.S.R.T), implemented under the Attiki Regional Operational Programme (ROP).

1. Scope

The need for higher customer service and minimization of operational costs has led many courier operators to seek innovative information systems for efficient handling of customer requests that occur either during the planning and/or the execution of daily deliveries. In a courier service environment, efficient delivery is the key issue for customer satisfaction. The use of manual or empirical techniques for customer allocation to delivery vehicles, although necessary, is by no means sufficient to address customer requests that are likely to occur during delivery planning or execution due to randomness and complexity. A non-optimized vehicle allocation plan may have negative effects on delivery performance leading thus, to higher costs and inferior customer service. To this end, the main scope of this project is the management of pick-up and delivery customer requests for the courier sector. More specifically, this project aims at the design and implementation of an intelligent fleet management system, that incorporates two innovative event management mechanisms, a) a dynamic request handler, which handles dynamically new events that arrive during the execution of a planned schedule by re-optimizing the initial vehicle routing solution, and b) the routing of planned deliveries in a multi-day framework, which routes the vehicles for a N-day horizon in order to decide upon the optimal request allocation.

2. Approach

The methodological approach of the MADREL project can be summarized as follows:
- Requirements analysis and definition of weaknesses in the dynamic requests’ handling and routing procedures
- Development of a new real-time decision support/making method (dynamic routing algorithm) in order to manage the dynamic customer requests.
- Development of a new decision support mechanism (routing - allocation algorithm) for the bulk deliveries management in a rolling horizon framework.
- Design of the Dynamic Requests Management System
- Development of an integrated platform, incorporating telematics and fleet management tools that support the aforementioned algorithms
- Implementation and Evaluation of the aforementioned algorithms and systems in real industry situations.
3. Results

The results of the MADREL project can be summarized as follows:
- Better understanding of the courier sector logistics operations (with emphasis on vehicle routing)
- Development of OR algorithms for tackling practical routing problems
- Development of an intelligent platform/system that incorporates two innovative event management mechanisms, a) a dynamic request handler, and b) the routing of planned deliveries in a multi-day framework
- Increase of delivery efficiency (when the platform was used in pilot tests)
- Dissemination of results to transport stakeholders and the academia
Post date: Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 11:25
IRIDA - Fruit traceability through RFID technology
Project Duration

(May 2006 - November 2007)

Funding programme:

International Collaboration in the Industrial Research and Development Activities in Pre-competitive Stage

Funding Agency: General Secretariat of Research and Technology

Scope

The main aim of the project is the development of an innovative information system for real-time traceability of fruits that makes use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

The proposed system aims at optimising supply chain processes such as storage, distribution, picking, quality control and traceability of fruits of a Greek Cooperation of Dried Figs. The system will provide services such as wireless rapid recognition and identification of new products that will be accessible to the user in real time. Project Partners
1. Design, Operations & Production Systems Lab, Department Of Financial & Management Engineering, University Of The Aegean
2. Agricultural University of Athens
3. Mobile Technology S.A.
4. “SYKIKI” CENTRAL UNION COOPERATIVE
Post date: Friday, November 30, 2007 - 09:49

You are here

News

User login