Decision model for the application of just-in-sequence

An increasing number of module variants pose a challenge for just-in-time (JIT) production systems. As a consequence of managing rising variety-driven complexity costs, sophisticated logistics concepts such as just-in-sequence (JIS) have grown in importance over the last years. Switching to JIS sourcing of modules with many variants is often indispensable in order to enable the cost-efficient production of customised products, foremost in the automotive industry. The main goal of this research is to provide a framework to determine under which circumstances switching from JIT to JIS is most advantageous. For this purpose a module selection framework as well as a logistics costs function model of the production system is developed. Often only considered as a refinement of JIT, we strive to establish JIS as a logistics concept of equal weight.