A Guide to the Next-Step Network Modeling Process

Now more so than ever, companies understand the tremendous impact that logistics and transportation can have on their overall business performance and are taking meaningful strides to optimize their operations. And a next-step networking modeling project provides a systematic approach to driving meaningful change throughout the supply chain.

Network modeling provides a decision support platform for many critical aspects of supply chain strategy and is performed in order to design an efficient and lean distribution chain. Multiple scenarios are designed to help answer key questions that come across while formulating supply chain strategy. Such questions form the base objective of the project, and will help determine a blueprint for your enhanced and more efficient transportation strategy.

The goal is to establish a network of facilities with efficient flows to ensure optimal service to the customers with minimal or zero risks and disruptions. This can deliver important data and KPIs that truly drive your supply chain strategy toward lean and efficient processes which, in turn, will save your organization – and by extension, your customers – precious time, money and resources.

But what does the network modeling process entail? What is the process for planning, implementing and gathering meaningful outcomes from a project like this? The attached infographic gives you the step-by-step info you need to tackle a next-step network modeling project.

Prasad Mahajan, Director of Engineering Services at Transplace, is primarily responsible for managing engineering projects related to strategic network design, process improvement, transportation procurement and optimization. Mr. Mahajan leads the optimization design and development team at Transplace and brings multi-disciplinary skills from the areas of Industrial Engineering, IT and Operations Research to his role. Prior to Transplace, Mr. Mahajan has held industrial engineering positions in the manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Mahajan holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, a Master of Science in industrial engineering and is currently pursuing his MBA at the SMU Cox School of Business. Mr. Mahajan is also associated with APICS North Texas Chapter and is an APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional.