A MODEL TO OPTIMIZE PAYLOADS AT PFG BUILDING GLASS

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: While improving customer service by allowing user definable mixed load orders of their plate glass product, PFG Building Glass was confronted with a problem of calculating the feasibility and optimum load layout for transporting the glass, without transgressing the regulatory requirements. In this article the development of an integrated solution is discussed, including the definition of a mathematical model that calculates the axle weights, the optimization model based on linear programming, as well as the user interface for their current information system. The solution enables the company to proceed with e-commerce service to clients, since the system can evaluate the transport feasibility and give real time feedback to clients. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uitbreiding van kli ntediens by PFG Building Glass om bestellings van gemengde glasplaatprodukte per vrag te aanvaar, het die onderneming voor ‘n uitdaging geplaas om te bereken of sulke bestellings binne die wetlike regulasie vervoer sal kan word. Hierdie artikel bespreek die ontwikkeling van ‘n ge ntegreede oplossing wat bestaan uit ‘n wiskundige model wat die gewig per as bereken, ‘n optimiseringsmodel wat die vraguitleg bepaal en op liniêre programmeringsbeginsels gebaseer is, sowel as die gebruikersintervlak met die onderneming se bestaande inligtingstelsel.Hierdie ontwikkeling stel die onderneming instaat om ‘n e-besigheidsdiens vir kliente daar te stel, aangesien terugvoer oor die uitvoerbaarheid van ‘n bestelling uit ‘n vervoeroogpunt intyds aan die kli nt gekommunikeer kan word.