Simulation Modeling and Analysis of Cross Dock Implementation in Distribution Network

This paper presents the salient details of the development and analysis of a discrete event simulation model of a cross dock distribution network. The network consists of three suppliers and five customers. The number of cross docking facilities (CDF) is varied to analyze the performance of CDF under a dynamic environment. Any of the five customers can place order to any of the three suppliers. The decision factors considered are number of trucks, dispatch rules, truck size and order interval. The objective is to reduce lead time for customer order fulfilment and to find the minimum number of vehicles required to maximize service level and truck utilization. Hence, the performance measures considered are average lead time to deliver the products, service level, average truck utilization and total demand met. A simulation model is developed using ARENA software. Multiple comparisons are made within and between the decision factors and the optimum combination is determined.