Robustness evaluation of multisite distributed schedule with perturbed virtual jobshops

A method for evaluating the robustness of medium term multisite distributed schedule is presented. The method of robustness evaluation is based on steps and tools associated with the conceptual model of a MultiSite Reactive Production Activity Control (MSR-PAC). The MSR-PAC makes it possible to study the sensitivity of the scheduled plans in presence of perturbations. These must be evaluated before being dispatched to the shop-floors. At present, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no means to make this evaluation in the distributed systems such as extended enterprise. The monitoring of errors is based on the discrepancy between the two flow-shape functions that model respectively the dynamics of the scheduled manufacturing orders and the state of the perturbed production. The MSR-PAC is based on a multisite agent system and on the monitoring of the perturbed virtual jobshops. The method can also be used for controlling short term distributed production activities.