**5. PLM decision support tool for supply chain optimization**

#### **5.1. Functional specifications of the tool**

The proposed tool helps decision-makers with decisions about supply chain design in the product development phase [12].

We model the expected characteristics of the tool using the unified modeling language (UML) that allows the conceptualization, construction, and manipulation of data. The tool must maintain the PLM approach focused on the product; it must allow to:


We present in **Figure 2**, the flowchart of our methodology. As the digital mockup is the heart of PLM, it is the center of our proposed methodology flowchart, and all the operations are made around it. First, the designer receives constraints from the existing elements of the supply chain and from the customer specifications. The designer must also anticipate the constraints of the nonexisting elements (e.g., the designer should think about the transportability of the product by optimizing volume, shape, etc. even if the transporter is not yet determined). The purpose of the proposed methodology is to better adapt the product to the existing elements

The proposed tool helps decision-makers with decisions about supply chain design in the

We model the expected characteristics of the tool using the unified modeling language (UML) that allows the conceptualization, construction, and manipulation of data. The tool must

of the supply chain and design the rest of the supply chain optimally.

maintain the PLM approach focused on the product; it must allow to:

**5.1. Functional specifications of the tool**

**Figure 2.** Flowchart of the proposed methodology.

96 Product Lifecycle Management - Terminology and Applications

product development phase [12].

**5. PLM decision support tool for supply chain optimization**

The tool consists essentially of three modules that represent the main methodological steps proposed in the previous section (**Figure 3**).

Product design module: An interface must be implemented between the tool and computeraided design (CAD) software. The designer imports a CAD file to retrieve data relating to the digital model (product nomenclature, component characteristics (physical, geometrical, etc.)).


**Figure 3.** The three modules that make up our decision support tool.


The criteria for stopping the optimization process will be the cost of the product along the supply chain. A check with an objective cost will validate or not each design. This work is done by the decision-maker or the project manager. This person will feed the database and will be able to correctly fill in the information related to the product and the supply chain.

#### **5.2. UML modeling**

### *5.2.1. Use case diagrams*

The use case diagram for modeling the product architecture describes the procedure for introducing all product components and their properties (**Figure 4**).

During the design phase of the supply chain, the decision-maker identifies the existing links in the chain as well as the new links to be determined. It defines the link of succession of the different links which will make it possible to specify the order in which the optimization of the supply chain will be done point by point (**Figure 5**).

**Figure 5.** Use case diagram-Supply chain structure modeling.

PLM for Supply Chain Optimization

99

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81272

**Figure 6.** Use case diagram—Supply chain optimization.

Optimizing the cost of each link in the supply chain involves introducing the data relating to each link, necessary for the mathematical resolution on the CPLEX software. Once the optimization results are obtained, the cost of the product throughout its supply chain is calculated and compared to an objective reference cost. Finally, the decision-maker validates the design of the product/supply chain pair or decides to modify some links in the supply chain or to act on the product design (digital model) as shown in **Figure 6**.

#### *5.2.2. Class diagram*

This class diagram is based on our proposed methodology for the simultaneous design of product and its supply chain; it integrates the variables of the optimization mathematical models relating to each link (ou element) of the supply chain [13] (**Figure 7**).

**Figure 4.** Use case diagram-Product architecture modeling.

**Figure 5.** Use case diagram-Supply chain structure modeling.

• Transport: transport cost and optimal quantity to transport (from the production site to the

The criteria for stopping the optimization process will be the cost of the product along the supply chain. A check with an objective cost will validate or not each design. This work is done by the decision-maker or the project manager. This person will feed the database and will be able to correctly fill in the information related to the product and the supply chain.

The use case diagram for modeling the product architecture describes the procedure for intro-

During the design phase of the supply chain, the decision-maker identifies the existing links in the chain as well as the new links to be determined. It defines the link of succession of the different links which will make it possible to specify the order in which the optimization of

Optimizing the cost of each link in the supply chain involves introducing the data relating to each link, necessary for the mathematical resolution on the CPLEX software. Once the optimization results are obtained, the cost of the product throughout its supply chain is calculated and compared to an objective reference cost. Finally, the decision-maker validates the design of the product/supply chain pair or decides to modify some links in the supply chain or to act

This class diagram is based on our proposed methodology for the simultaneous design of product and its supply chain; it integrates the variables of the optimization mathematical

models relating to each link (ou element) of the supply chain [13] (**Figure 7**).

• Warehouse: cost of storage and optimal quantity to store in each warehouse.

warehouse and from the warehouse to the customer).

98 Product Lifecycle Management - Terminology and Applications

ducing all product components and their properties (**Figure 4**).

the supply chain will be done point by point (**Figure 5**).

on the product design (digital model) as shown in **Figure 6**.

**Figure 4.** Use case diagram-Product architecture modeling.

**5.2. UML modeling**

*5.2.2. Class diagram*

*5.2.1. Use case diagrams*

**Figure 6.** Use case diagram—Supply chain optimization.

• Technological by bringing together all the actors around the digital mockup; it structures

PLM for Supply Chain Optimization

101

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81272

In our future work, we will implement the proposed methodology in two types of industries with different specifications: the agro-food packaging industry and the automotive industry.

[1] Barratt M, Barratt R. Exploring internal and external supply chain linkages: Evidence

[2] Zhu W, Gavirneni S, Kapuscinski R. Periodic flexibility, information sharing, and supply

[3] Kiritsis D, Bufardi A, Xirouchakis P. Research issues on product lifecycle management and information tracking using smart embedded systems. Advanced Engineering

[4] Tang D, Qian X. Product lifecycle management for automotive development focusing on

[6] Garetti M., Macchi M., and Van De Berg R. Digitally Supported Engineering of Industrial Systems in the Globally Scaled Manufacturing, IMS-NoE SIG White Paper, Milano; 2003

[7] Terzi S. Element of product lifecycle management: Definitions, open issues and refer-

[8] Sudarsan R, Fenes SJ, Sriran RD, Wang F. A product modeling framework for product

[9] Vezzetti E, Moos S, Kretli S. A product lifecycle management methodology for supporting knowledge reuse in the consumer packaged goods domain. Computer-Aided

[10] Paviot T. Methodology for Resolving Interoperability Issues in the Product Lifecycle

Management Domain [Thesis], Ecole Centrale de Paris (France); 2010

[5] CIMdata: Product Lifecycle Management. Empowering the Future of Business; 2003

from the field. Journal of Operations Management. 2011;**29**(5):514-528

chain performance. IIE Transactions. 2010;**42**(3):173-187

supplier integration. Computer in Industry. 2008;**59**:288-295

ence models, Phd thesis, University of Nancy I; 2005

lifecycle management. Computer-Aided Design. 2005;**37**

• Mathematical by optimizing the costs of the different supply chain partners.

the supply chain design.

**Author details**

Imane Bouhaddou

**References**

Address all correspondence to: b\_imane@yahoo.fr

Informatics. 2003;**17**(3/4):189-202

Design. 2011;**43**:1902-1911

National High School of Arts and Crafts, Meknes, Morocco

**Figure 7.** UML class diagram modeling the proposed methodology.
