In many decision problems, e.g. from the area of production and logistics manage ment, the evaluation of alternatives and the determination of an optimal or at least suboptimal solution is an important but dif?cult task. For most such problems no ef?cient algorithm is known and classical approaches of Operations Research like Mixed Integer Linear Programming or Dynamic Pro gramming are often of limited use due to excessive computation time. Therefore, dedicated heuristic solution approaches have been developed which aim at providing good solutions in reasonable time for a given problem. However, such methods have two major drawbacks: First, they are tailored to a speci?c prob lem and their adaption to other problems is dif?cult and in many cases even impos sible. Second, they are typically designed to "build" one single solution in the most effective way, whereas most decision problems have a vast number of feasible solu tions. Hence usually the chances are high that there exist better ones. To overcome these limitations, problem independent search strategies, in particular metaheuris tics, have been proposed. This book provides an elementary step by step introduction to metaheuristics focusing on the search concepts they are based on. The ?rst part demonstrates un derlying concepts of search strategies using a simple example optimization problem.

In many decision problems, e.g. from the area of production and logistics manage ment, the evaluation of alternatives and the determination of an optimal or at least suboptimal solution is an important but dif?cult task. For most such problems no ef?cient algorithm is known and classical approaches of Operations Research like Mixed Integer Linear Programming or Dynamic Pro gramming are often of limited use due to excessive computation time. Therefore, dedicated heuristic solution approaches have been developed which aim at providing good solutions in reasonable time for a given problem. However, such methods have two major drawbacks: First, they are tailored to a speci?c prob lem and their adaption to other problems is dif?cult and in many cases even impos sible. Second, they are typically designed to "build" one single solution in the most effective way, whereas most decision problems have a vast number of feasible solu tions. Hence usually the chances are high that there exist better ones. To overcome these limitations, problem independent search strategies, in particular metaheuris tics, have been proposed. This book provides an elementary step by step introduction to metaheuristics focusing on the search concepts they are based on. The ?rst part demonstrates un derlying concepts of search strategies using a simple example optimization problem.

Modern production concepts can be considered as an essential field of economics nowadays. They help to give valuable insights and thus provide important competitive advantages. There is a broad variety of new approaches to Production Planning and Control (PPC), Just-in-Time (JIT), Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), Flexible Automation (FA), Automated Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS), Total Quality Control (TQC), and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), all of which are indispensable cornerstones in this context. This book presents in a condensed and easy-to-comprehend form the different contributions of a group of internationally recommended scientists. The varied approaches to modern production concepts are not only based on theoretical foundations but also go one step further in that they present the implementation of these concepts and methods in detail. This close link with practical aspects will help to illuminate the theoretical material for researchers and students in universities. The book will be of major importance for practitioners involved in solving everyday industrial problems. The interdisciplinary nature of these contributions will help to create a new and valuable perspective on the field of production concepts.

Das einfuhrende Lehrbuch behandelt vor allem die Aufgaben und Losungskonzepte des operativen Produktions- und Logistikmanagements PPS-Systeme (Produktionsplanungs- und Steuerungssysteme) werden im einzelnen behandelt. Das Produktions- und Logistikmanagement kann sich allerdings nicht darauf beschranken. Vielmehr hat es weiterhin die zentrale Aufgabe, die langfristigen Erfolgsvoraussetzungen zu schaffen, die die Wettbewerbsfahigkeit eines Unternehmens sichern bzw. die Wettbewerbsvorteile garantieren. Die Leistungserstellung hat in vielen Branchen einen grossen - wenn nicht sogar den entscheidenden - Anteil an dieser Aufgabe. Neue Produktions- und Logistikonzepte wie Just-in-time, TimeBased-Manufacturing, Lean Production etc. machen dies deutlich. Aus diesem Grund wird auf diese - fur eine Gestaltung einer zukunftsorientierten Leistungserstellung wichtigen - Konzepte ebenfalls eingegangen. Aus dem Inhalt: Grundlagen. Grundzuge des operativen Produktions- und Logistikmanagements. Neuere Produktions- und Logistikkonzepte."

Das Produktions-Management hat die Fuhrungsaufgabe, die Leistungserstellung so zu lenken, dass sie ihren Beitrag zur Wettbewerbsfahigkeit leistet. Das setzt voraus, dass das Produktions-Management strategisch denkt und das Schaffen einer wettbewerbsfahigen Produktion in den Mittelpunkt nseiner Uberlegung stellt. Aus diesem Grunde werden in dem Buch kenntnisse zur strategischen Planung, zu den Produktionsstrategien und aufgrund der aktuellen Bedeutung zur rechner- bzw. computerintegrierten Produktion als Teil der Wettbewerbsstrategie vermittelt. Aus dem Inhalt: Aufgaben des Produktions-Managements. Strategisches Produktions-Managements (Produktion als Teil der strategischen Unternehmensplanung. Zweck und Inhalt der strategischen Planung. Prozess der strategischen Planung. Produktionsstrategie. Computerintegrierte Produktion als Teil der Wettbewerbsstrategie)."

Entscheidendes Mittel, um Kostenfuhrerschaft bzw. Differenzierung zu erlangen, ist die geeignete Wahl des Produkt-bzw. Produktionssystems des Unternehmens. Das taktische Produktions-Management hat dabei die im Rahmen der strategischen Planung festgelegte Wettbewerbsstrategie inhaltlich zu konkretisieren."