The goal of the volume is to present a collection of state-of-the-art contributions describing recent developments concerning the application of bio-inspired algorithms to the VRP. Over the 9 chapters, different algorithmic approaches are considered and a diverse set of problem variants are addressed. Some contributions focus on standard benchmarks widely adopted by the research community, while others address real-world situations.

Dependable information flow is a necessary prerequisite to the successful implementation of lean production principles. But while most managers understand how to make materials and manpower flow, the flow of information tends to be much more underdeveloped. Even companies that excel at recognizing waste and are otherwise adept at implementing the principles of lean production are often challenged to provide satisfactory information flow.

Lean Connections: Making Information Flow Efficiently and Effectivelyisdesigned to help you rethink the way your organization views information flow. It provides the building blocks of a comprehensive information-flow system, showing you calculations and methods that will allow you to get the necessary information to those individuals who need it, when they need it.

Following a logical and detailed progression, thismanual shows how to make information flow in lean production facility—

-- From the end customer through materials control to the production floor

-- On the production floor at the operator, team, and value stream level

-- And then from the production floor to the management of the facility

Employing a workbook format, this manual follows RNA Manufacturing, a fictional company, through its implementation of a comprehensive lean production system. As the authors outline RNA’s methods and thought processes, they employ exercises that ask questions about your own production system. Your challenge is to think deeply about the answers, as well as the changes that need to be made to effectively make information flow through your facility.

Make certain that everyone gets the information that they need when they need it

The first half of the book is devoted to the discussion of classical statistical issues, ranging from the basic concepts of probability, through general notions of inference, to advanced multivariate and time series methods, as well as a detailed discussion of the increasingly important Bayesian approach. The following chapters then concentrate on the area of machine learning and artificial intelligence and provide introductions into the topics of rule induction methods, neural networks, fuzzy logic, and stochastic search methods. The book concludes with a higher level overview of the IDA process and illustrations of the breadth of application of the ideas.

Fields: Artificial Intelligence; Statistics, general; Information Systems/Business Data Processing

Written for: Professionals, students, researchers