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Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 15 (4): 516-529, 2013 ISSN 1990-9233 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2013.15.4.2280 Corresponding Author: M.R. Khabbazi, Department of Industrial Computing, FTSM, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia. 516 Business Process Modelling in Production Logistics: Complementary Use of BPMN and UML M.R. Khabbazi, M.K. Hasan, R. Sulaiman and A. Shapi'i 1 2 3 1 Department of Industrial Computing, FTSM, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia 1 Faculty of Information Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia 2 Institute of Visual Informatics, FTSM, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia 3 Abstract: This paper investigates the suitability and sufficincy of BPMN language in business process modelling. Production logistics system is modeled at the highest domain level using case study in car component industry to examine the language in every aspect. Modelling is carried out in a modular basis for three main sub-systems generally using BPMN 2.0. Complementary use of other modeling tool to cover all the critical flows of objects and associate data in modeling was seen necessary and addressed using UML activity diagrams employing the specific capability of modeling the material flow and semantics. Modeling the flow of objects provides the comprehensive perspective of the whole system and fulfill the need of capturing all undepicted object flows as well as processes and data which may not be sheerly covered using the BPMN. The proposed models provides great beneficial referentiality for modelers, analyists and actual practitioners of logistics activities. The significant explanatory description and strategy are the key feature of the paper to follow using state-of-the- art modeling tool of BPMN 2.0 and UML. Key words: Computer-aided systems Production logistics Business process modelling BPMN 2.0 UML Modelling techniques INTRODUCTION Business Process Execution Language for web Business Process Modelling (BPM) as the main core Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) to in Business Process Management is the activity of describe the business processes using notations representing the processes of an enterprise [1, 2] either standardized by OMG [10]. at its current state or to what it should become [3]. Nevertheless, in last few years a must need for an This paper aims to contribute in investigations on expressive and easy-understanding business process suitability of BPMN as the latest prominent language in modelling language suitable for all range of users constructing a business process model [11]. Even though emerged. At the present, there are several modelling BPMN tends to be practiced and more applicable at the languages which define the basic elements for very highest level description of business operations constructing business process models. The mains are in [12, 13] but there is absolute shortcoming in dealing with historical order: object flow semantic and its essential insights that is Petri nets (PN) [4]. This problem is much more noticeable when modelling the Event-driven Process Chains (EPCs) used within processes dealing with material flow instantiation which ARIS framework [5]. information are not only sometimes attached to the UML Activity Diagrams, the process modelling objects but also are changed and modified with delays, language of UML [6]. locations and transformations which cannot be fully Yet Another Workflow Language (YAWL)is built on addressed only by BPMN. To provide a real world the workflow pattern analysis [7, 8]. example the Production logistics as a complex cooperative services (BPEL) to model executable processes [9]. meant to provide for the system analysts and developers.

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Page 1: Business Process Modelling in Production Logistics ...828083/FULLTEXT01.pdf · BPMN-Q and like Reijers [29] highlighting erroneous parts BPMN 2.0 released in August 2009 was improved

Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 15 (4): 516-529, 2013ISSN 1990-9233© IDOSI Publications, 2013DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2013.15.4.2280

Corresponding Author: M.R. Khabbazi, Department of Industrial Computing, FTSM, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia.

516

Business Process Modelling in Production Logistics:Complementary Use of BPMN and UML

M.R. Khabbazi, M.K. Hasan, R. Sulaiman and A. Shapi'i1 2 3 1

Department of Industrial Computing, FTSM, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia1

Faculty of Information Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia2

Institute of Visual Informatics, FTSM, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia3

Abstract: This paper investigates the suitability and sufficincy of BPMN language in business processmodelling. Production logistics system is modeled at the highest domain level using case study in carcomponent industry to examine the language in every aspect. Modelling is carried out in a modular basis forthree main sub-systems generally using BPMN 2.0. Complementary use of other modeling tool to cover all thecritical flows of objects and associate data in modeling was seen necessary and addressed using UML activitydiagrams employing the specific capability of modeling the material flow and semantics. Modeling the flow ofobjects provides the comprehensive perspective of the whole system and fulfill the need of capturing allundepicted object flows as well as processes and data which may not be sheerly covered using the BPMN. Theproposed models provides great beneficial referentiality for modelers, analyists and actual practitioners oflogistics activities. The significant explanatory description and strategy are the key feature of the paper tofollow using state-of-the- art modeling tool of BPMN 2.0 and UML.

Key words: Computer-aided systems Production logistics Business process modelling BPMN 2.0 UML Modelling techniques

INTRODUCTION Business Process Execution Language for web

Business Process Modelling (BPM) as the main core Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) toin Business Process Management is the activity of describe the business processes using notationsrepresenting the processes of an enterprise [1, 2] either standardized by OMG [10].at its current state or to what it should become [3].Nevertheless, in last few years a must need for an This paper aims to contribute in investigations onexpressive and easy-understanding business process suitability of BPMN as the latest prominent language inmodelling language suitable for all range of users constructing a business process model [11]. Even thoughemerged. At the present, there are several modelling BPMN tends to be practiced and more applicable at thelanguages which define the basic elements for very highest level description of business operationsconstructing business process models. The mains are in [12, 13] but there is absolute shortcoming in dealing withhistorical order: object flow semantic and its essential insights that is

Petri nets (PN) [4]. This problem is much more noticeable when modelling theEvent-driven Process Chains (EPCs) used within processes dealing with material flow instantiation whichARIS framework [5]. information are not only sometimes attached to theUML Activity Diagrams, the process modelling objects but also are changed and modified with delays,language of UML [6]. locations and transformations which cannot be fullyYet Another Workflow Language (YAWL)is built on addressed only by BPMN. To provide a real worldthe workflow pattern analysis [7, 8]. example the Production logistics as a complex cooperative

services (BPEL) to model executable processes [9].

meant to provide for the system analysts and developers.

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and systematic group of activities is fully examined which these methodologies present rich design environmentshighlights the incapability of modelling the object flow lacking accurate conceptual perception and the othersusing solely the BPMN and it is revealed that the problem have clear conceptual foundation but lacking graphicalcan only be addressed with complementary use of expressivity [15]. Both experts in Business Engineeringtechniques. and Information Technology have concluded that

Consequently, this paper provides a two-fold successful systems start with an understanding of thecontribution. First, we analyse a large set of actual business processes of an organisation. IT solutions inbusiness processes through case study. Through many ways can facilitate all the different phases ofmodelling with BPMN we examine the whole syntax and understanding and capturing the processes [13, 16, 17].semantics in covering all modelling requirements for the At daily scheduling and should provide the benefits atsystem. The requirement for a complementary use of time-activity it will provideBPMN 2.0 and UML activity diagram to respond to the Furthermore, business processes are a key factorproblem is highlighted and discussed. Second, the generic at integrating an enterprise [18]. Conceptual modellingproposed model designed for logistics activities in a SME of business processes is deployed on a large scale toenvironment and the significance of the study on facilitate the development of software that supports theimplication BPMN 2.0 is represented. UML activity business processes and to permit the analysis anddiagram is employed to represent the material workflow re-engineering to improve them even in daily basissystem which is dramatically seen required at business activity [19]. Information models use businessanalyst and system architect perspectives of the model process models and associated data resources [20, 21].applications. The presented business process model of If the processes are well described, designing dataproduction logistics using a case study in SME resources is an easy task [22]. In other words, if theenvironment is considered as great beneficial example for business processes are not in line with the informationbusiness modellers and analysts as well as actual system, the system implementation is unlikely to createpractitioners of logistics activities in supply chain. In any benefits [23, 24]. In fact, Process-aware informationaddition, the significant explanatory description with systems typically involve various kinds of processeasy-to-understand strategy and technique to accomplish stakeholders. That, in turn, leads to multiple processthe process and material flow are key promising feature of models that capture a common process from differentthe paper to follow on modelling identical cases and perspectives and at different levels of abstraction [25].systems. This clearly indicates at designing a system, one should

The reminder of this paper is structured as follows. plan for quality BPMs as the premier requirement toThe next section reviews the literature over related achieve a successful software development for the systemresearches for BPMN on importance and sufficiency of [26].the language. Next methodology is introduced. Assuming There are several useful proposed techniques andthe reader has basic understanding of the two employed patterns to follow. Mendling et al. [27] suggests a set ofmodelling languages, a brief introduction is provided. seven guidelines to construct a quality business processProduction logistics analysis is carried out and is followed model; Gunasekaran and Kubo [28] provide guidelines onby identification and classification of modelling selecting modelling tools/techniques associate to areas inrequirement. Next, the development of business process which re-engineering should be carried out and Reijers etmodel is discussed for three main modular systems al. [29] suggests syntax highlighting as helpful andbasically with BPMN and is elaborately completed with sense-making technique at modelling process. OnUML activity diagram. Eventually, concluding remarks selecting modelling language, Muehlan and Indulska [30]and future research directions are provided. findings show that the combination of BPMN with SRML

Related Works: There are several researches over the while suffering an amount of construct overlap; Whereimportance, quality and suitability of the modelling Rajala and Savolainen [31] approach is basicallylanguages. Since, business process modelling and customer-oriented using QFD as source data anddesigning is a complex and, thus, error prone task [14] a suggests IDEF0 as process modelling. Luo and Tung [32]large number of methodologies for modelling and propose a framework base on modelling objectives,analysing business process has been emerged. Many of Mentzas et al. [33] technique is based on workflow

provides users with the highest representation power

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system approaches and Roorda et al. [34] propose solutions. In order to do this, a twofold method wasconceptual framework outlined with mathematical followed: a) literature research to investigate thenotations generally based on roles of actors. theoretical part of language and b) a targeted industrial

Many researches have been conducted to evaluate system. Next, a brief introduction of the two usedthe sufficiency and capabilities of modelling languages. modelling languages are introduced and followed byStrembeck and Mendling [21] declare insufficiency of any analysing the production logistics activity. Further,modelling language element corresponding to integration identification and classification of BPM requirements forof processes and role-based access control (RBAC); the system is discussed which is followed by explanatoryWhilst Almeida et al. [35] extends semantics foundation development of production logistics business processfor role-related concepts and understandings of actors. models.Base on SAP reference model inputs, Mendling et al. [36]provides empirical evidence of how many errors can be BPMN: BPMN is to provide a standard notation forexpected in process modelling using EPC. business processes that is readily understandable for

Several researches advocate the advantages and ranging from the business analysts in early phase ofsustaining applications of using BPMN in various system development who sketch the initial drafts of thedomains [30,37,38]. Despite BPMN, many of the processes [43] to the technical developers responsible forconventional languages do not lend themselves to actually implementing them and finally to the businessautomatic analysis, thus their pragmatic quality is staff deploying and monitoring such processes [45].hindered. For example, UML or EPC models often Inspired by UML Activity Diagrams, BPMN 1.0 wastranslated into Petri net for analysis and simulation released in 2004; and adopted as OMG standard in 2006.[39, 40]. However, BPMN 1.1 released in 2008 introduced a UML

In contrary, some other researches focus on Class Diagram description of the notation to give a betterdeficiencies of BPMN and propose solutions. Wong and formalization with no defined meta-model like what thereGibbons [41] findings indicate ambiguities in BPMN is for UML yet. BPMN 1.x has four categories of graphicalsemantics and describe two formalisations of the notation elements to build diagrams: Flow Objects, Connectingand also how to apply the notation to workflows that are Objects, Swimlanes and Artifacts. Flow Objects representnormally beyond BPMN scope. Wohed et al. [2, 42] all the actions consisting: Events, Activities andevaluate BPMN using workflow patterns as an analysis Gateways. Connecting Objects provide three differentframework in control flow, Data and resource patterns ways of connecting various objects: Sequence Flow,revealing more problems in later areas. Some other issues Message Flow and Association. Swimlanes have twoare highlighted by Dijkman et al. [43] in cases with elements to group other elements: Pools and Lanes.multiple start events, process instance completion, Artifacts are used to provide additional information aboutexception handling of multi-instance sub-processes and processes concluding: Data Object, Group andOr-join gateways. Proposing visual query language of Annotation [1, 46].BPMN-Q and like Reijers [29] highlighting erroneous parts BPMN 2.0 released in August 2009 was improved byof diagram by Laue and Awad [44] is another attempt to formalizing the execution semantics for all elements inaddress the possible problems and errors in dealing with BPEL. Defining a meta-model and diagram type definitionthe sequence flow semantic and also identifying to support interchange formats like XMI and XSD with aviolations in business rules in BPMN. Given the scope of very wide collection of new elements and constructs isthis paper, we are unable to provide a complete listing of now available in BPMN 2.0 in respect to communicatemany papers on suitability of using BPMN in recent years analytically through diagramming or to model the systembut to the best of our knowledge there is no active for execution [10]. Since BPMN is generally designed withexample of a research to highlight the issues on object the aim of high-level modelling, they need to be refinedflow semantic at using BPMN. into BPEL processes prior to execution for instance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS domain analysts whose goal is not to produce a system

Basically, we examined the BPMN language with a generated for various applications such as IT analysisreal-world practical example in industry to recognise and and software development. In the other hand, UMLhighlight the problems and provide the requirements and activity diagrams also have the capability to model the

The rationale behind is that the BPMN will be used by

implementation, rather a set of requirements to be

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flow of physical Objects in modelling which is required in managerial perspective, concentrating on theenterprise workflow system analysis. Comparison classification of business processes [58] and data,between modelling methods has been carried out by information and knowledge management within processesseveral researchers [2, 47, 48]. Figure 1 illustrates the [59]. Modern logistics management relies heavily onsummary of BPMN 2.0 graphical elements. access to accurate and timely information [60]. Hence,

UML Activity Diagram: The UML covers five major importance of the flow of information in logistics channelsaspects at process modelling, namely (1) actions and has been recognized alongside that of material flow [61].control flow, (2) data and object flow, (3) organizational Therefore, to enable the best system adaptation practicesstructure, (4) interaction centric views on business within the logistics process to be used, the characteristicsprocesses and (5) system-specific process models used of logistics processes and the information related to thisfor process enactment [49]. The basic building block of a should be examined and identified.process description in UML is the activity. An activity is Several researches have carried out the study toa behaviour consisting of a coordinated sequencing of analyse the logistics system and database designactions; and is represented by an activity diagram. UML methodologies for integrated information systemsActivity diagrams are the fundamental tool for process [22, 62-64]. However, there are very a few referencemodelling through integrating the control flow concepts models in applications of logistics information systemsand constructs with the object flow. Activity diagrams area but there is not a comprehensive or standardvisualize sequences of actions to be performed including representation of logistics business process modelling orcontrol flow and data flow. An overview of the basic and analysis required at the early stage of the systemsome advanced elements of the activity diagram notation devolvement [20, 65-67]. Therefore, to design a beneficialare introduced at Figure 2. and appropriate information system, the analysis of the

Analysis of Production Logistics: The scope and the role task [62, 68, 69]. of logistics have undergone significant changes as well ofwhich that logistics no longer plays only a supportive role Identification and Classification of Bpm Requirementsin functional areas, nor is it only confined to for Logistics System: The literature review on BPM andtransportation and warehousing [50, 51]. Logistics as the the case observation and data-gathering on carmanagement of the flow of goods, information and other component industry specifically on production logisticsresources in supply chain encompasses the integration of section are used to identify the modelling requirements.information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, Combination of make-to-order (MTO) and make-to-stockmaterial handling, packaging and security [52, 53]. (MTS) for a wide variety of more than two hundredResponsive logistics system as the significant value- different kinds of metal and plastic washers with differentadding channel of time and place utility all along the sizes and shapes at a large volume at every productionsupply chain is severely dealing with workflow plan has been recognized as the case production system.management system [54]. Different kinds and models of rolling, cutting, pressing,

Cooper et al. [55] encapsulates the widened scope de-burring and coating machines and devices are set andand purpose of logistics management and divides it into laid out to cover such amount of production orderthree constituent elements: procurement logistics, basically mostly in cellular style design. Through a totalproduction logistics and distribution logistics. Since the of 56 employees including managers and workers all“procurement logistics” of one is the “distribution production processes been carried out within thelogistics” of the preceding link, logistics management company while shipping methods been performed eitheronly can be perceived as two classes: external and internal with company itself or through x-party logistics. Throughlogistics (i.e. production logistics) [56]. Internal good some customer-based official agreements most of theflows within a plant include inventories of raw materials orders are made by three car companies in a ratherand parts, work-in-process and finished products. frequent and arranged seasonal basis; however the

Moreover, Logistics is a process-oriented business company also manufactures products to sell to the marketconstituting numerous processes linked together to by retailers. Purchasing raw material is generally madeperform different logistics operations [57]. In recent years, through regular suppliers unless with bidders base onresearchers have tended to explore processes from a quality standards, instructions and company regulations.

information is clearly a valuable logistics resource. The

business processes is seen as very crucial prerequisite

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Quality control and plan is perfectly accomplished alignedwith instruction and sets compatible with ISO 9001standard elements audited regularly to maintain thecompromised factors mentioned in customer agreements.Base on a close observation and study of the case, therehave essentially six individual domain sub-systemsconcluding Order (O) and Shipping (S) sub-systems asoutbound logistics and Production (P), Quality (Q) andInventory (I) systems as inbound been classified.Table 1 illustrates the relationship between identifiedroles and the systems which are demonstrated as pools inthe model. Based on this introduction, modelling the Psub-systems is discussed in next section. Detailprocedures and operation specifications of inboundlogistics in lower levels are not elaborated to preserve thereferential capability.

Development of Production Logistics BPM Modelling Production System - Explanatory ModellingTechnique: Production BPM represents how the workorder is fulfilled as responding to the received customerorder at its highest domain level. Sales and Quality Dept.are identified as black box lanes; Manufacturer as abstractpool; Production Dept. and Shop floor as lanes. Uponrecognition of responsive roles, the next step is to mapout the sequential flow of processes through connectingthem from a start event up to an end event using happyflow technique as it is shown in Figure 3. P is triggered byWork order “Start” event message from Sales department.“Embedded” sub-process of PP requirement followed byProduction planning “Embedded” sub-process leads tothe Updating production plan system task. Throughregistration into the system the production plan is sent toShop floor, Quality Dept. and Warehouse by Issueproduction plan “Send” task terminating with a“Message” end event.

Production plan is received in Shop floor and after awhile upon “Receive” required resources task event fromWarehouse the operation process will be setup with“Embedded” sub-process. Operating process sub-processwith “Multi-instance parallel loop” is made on items in adefined size of lots inside the allocated productionroutings followed by “User” task of Check for processprogress status to check for any other remainingoperating process required to be performed onto theitems in lots. This is shown by All processes are done“Data-based exclusive decision” gateway with a Yescontrol flow meaning the operation process is ended andfollowed by Sending goods to warehouse “Send” taskand “Message” end event of Work order fulfilled. Fig. 2: Overview of UML AD notations

Fig. 1: Summary of BPMN 2.0 elements

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Fig. 3: Business process model of Production System (P) in first happy flow

Fig. 4: Expanded sub-processes at Figure 3: (a) PP requirement; (b) Production planning; (c) Setting up operation; (d)Operating process.

Table 1: Domain roles of high-level logistics business process systemRole Property Related system DescriptionCustomer Black box (O), (I), (S) Place work order and receive the finished orderSupplier (O), (I) Regular provider of raw material/outsourcing parts Bidder (O), (I) Random Provider of raw material/outsourcing parts 3PL (S) Provide transportation and some other logistics outsourcing servicesManf. Abstract (O), (P), (Q), (I),(S) Produce /fabricate or fulfill the work orderSales Dept. Manf. as parent (O), (P), (Q), (I), (S) Place to receive work orders from customer and place purchase orders to supplier

or bidder and place logistics service order to X-partiesProduction Dept. Manf. as parent (P), (Q), (I) Place to plan, design and management of productionQuality Dept. Manf. as parent (P),(Q), (I) Place to check,control, evaluate, test and quality controlShop floor Manf. as parent (P), (Q), (S) Place to produce parts, items and final products through production operationWarehouse Manf. as parent (Q), (I), (S), (O) Place to store/retrival the parts, items and final products

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Fig. 5: Domain business process model for Production System (P)

Fig. 6: Expanded sub-processes at Figure 5: (a) Re-production requirement; (b) OPC generation.

Figure 2 illustrates above mentioned sub-processes Next, alterative paths, exceptions, activities andat the expanded mode. Production planning sub-process required artifacts are added into the happy path model ascontains a number of sub-processes within it and the it is shown in details in Figure 5. Quality department“Fork/join” gateways demonstrate the output result of the triggers the “Compensation” start event base on decisionsub-process may or may not be used into another made for produced faulty products. Re-productionconcurrent sub-process. Operating process sub-process requirement is the next identified sub-process whichis a parallel multi-instance loop due to the defined illustrated in more detail at Figure 6(a) and is pointedroutings in a given production line and to show the toward the “Attached Compensation” intermediate triggerdiversity of the works in progress (WIP) illustrated at at Production planning sub-process to cover the shortageFigure 4(d). Operation process task as normal “Loop” generated at fulfilling work order through a newtype demonstrates that one kind of production operation compensating production plan. OPC generation is the nextis performed on one or many (i.e. a lot/batch) semi- new collaboration sub-process managed by Productionfinished product. and Quality departments which is concurrently performed

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Fig. 7: Activities descriptions of production logistics reference business process domain model

Fig. 8: Work in process meta-model activity diagram

with Updating production plan task. Figure 6(b) illustrates diagrams emphasizing on physical object flow isthe tasks to be done at Production department division. discussed. The workflow meta-model of WIP using UMLAdditional task of Moving WIP to next station is activity diagram is explained. Send production planidentified at the alternative path of No from All processes sendSignalAction at Production department is receivedare done “Data-based exclusive” gateway to “Inclusive by Receive production plan acceptEventAction atmerge” gateway. Figure 7 provides additional details over Warehouse, Shopfloor and Quality departments. Atevery activity described in the modelling process. Warehouse Retrieval/picking action is executed using

Workflow Modelling with UML ADs - Physical Object: object tokens are retrieved from Stored itemsNext, the complete scenario of material transmission and <<centralBuffer>> object node through Requiredtransformation up to the finished goods using the resources input pin with {stream} parameter and placescapability of workflow modelling with UML activity tokens at Resources output pin node with [Retrieved]

Production plan data object node. Required resources

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Fig. 9: Operating process activity diagram

status and with {stream} parameter. Issue to production WIP. The “iterative” mode at expansion region implies theaction consumes all [Retrieved] tokens and with using PP processing is done for all WIP lot/bath with [Coded (i)]detail and Resource details information inputs from one by one till last item in the lot and processed items areProduction plan and Inventory <<datastore>> object stored at <<centralBuffer>> items processed object node.nodes and puts [lotted] Resources at output pin node <<multicast>> and <<multireceive>> labels of object flowwith {stream} parameter and provides Issued resources edges represent the multiple receivers and senders (i.e.list data object node as outputs. Update inventory system operation routings). By every (n) size operation definedaction consumes Issued resources list data object and by QP instructions, N samples are collected for qualityregisters the records and relations into Inventory checking through operation staff. Upon undesirable<<datastore>> and the flow is ended with a flow final Quality problem acceptEventAction, the exceptionnode as it is shown in Figure 8. handler edge executes Fix the problem activity. All tokens

Setting up operation activity at Shopfloor consumes from Items processed at <<centralBuffer>> objectall [Lotted] Resources and places [Allocated and coded] node are transferred into <<centralBuffer>> WIP lotResources at output pin node which is transferred at WIP [Coded (i+1) uncertified] object node through alot [Coded] <<centeralBuffer>> object node with <<multireceive>> object flow edge. Operation process<<localPrecondition>> for WIP to be identifiable uniquely information is registered into the Operation <<datastore>>with ID codes or serial numbers. Items/lots coding system leading to Notify QC operation output activity parameterencompasses the OPC numbers as (i) where i = 1 to n. node.Object flows allow specifying the sending token to Back to WIP meta-model, the notification is receivedmultiple instances of receivers using <<multicast>> and by Quality department and after Production plan lookupthe receiving tokens from multiple senders by labeling as action, Quality operations activity is taking place through<<multireceive>> keyword. At Operating process activity collecting M samples output activity parameter node fromregarding the possibility of multiple routings and Operating process activity. QC results data is registeredallocations of operation processes, [Coded (i)] WIP lot is at Quality <<datastore>> and notification results are sentconsumed as <<multicast>> input from WIP lot [Coded] back to Operating process activity and flow of control is<<centralBuffer>> as shown at Figure 9 in details. terminated as the result of decision node with [OK] guard.

WIP lot [Coded (i)] input activity parameter node is Review Quality results and finalizing lot action atconnected to expansion node of “iterative” expansion Operating process activity consumes all WIP lot withregion as <<multicast>>. At expansion region Operation [Coded (i+1) uncertified] <<centralBuffer>> and put allprocess action is taking place on X item [coded (i)] of tokens at Certified [OK] output pin node if Quality resultsinputs and produces Y item [Coded (i+1)] as output. are OK. At exceptional situation all tokens are put atWhere, X and Y represent the numbers of item usage and Certified [Rejected] output pin node executing Ceaseitem produced at Operation process action and (i+1) production operation action via exception handler edge.represents one operation process performed onto the In either way, all tokens are directed to activity parameter

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Fig. 10: Quality remedy operation activity diagram

nodes of WIP lot [Coded (i+1) QC OK] or WIP lot [Coded Segregated products in lots tokens at Segregation activity(i+1) QC rejected] at exception mode. WIP lot [Coded (i+1) output pin node are transferred to Segregated products inQC OK] is checked using OPC <<decisionInput>> for lots output activity parameter node with <<multicast>>process progress status through decision node. Work object flow edge. order fulfilled notification signal is sent if all processes are Back to meta-model, the segregated products in lotscarried out and all tokens are consumed at Finished goods are received as another input for Storing process activityinput pin node of Storing process activity at Warehouse. at Warehouse into Stored items <<centralBuffer>> andOtherwise, all tokens are transferred into WIP lot [Coded] New inventory [List] is registered into the Inventory<<centralBuffer>> again for additional required <<datastore>> as new records leading to the activity finaloperations. Eventually, the finished products are stored node.at warehouse into Stored items <<centralBuffer>> andNew inventory [List] is registered into the Inventory DISCUSSION<<datastore>> and the process terminates throughactivity final node. Activity diagrams can be used as representation tool

All tokens of WIP lot [Coded (i+1) QC rejected] as for modelling the system behaviour on procedural“Exception” outputs at Operating process activity is sequence of operations (i.e. task or sub-process inconsumed at Quality remedy operation activity over BPMN) or as describing the whole scenario with series of[Quality rejected] guard of control flow edge as the result activities to model the workflow involving several actorsof decision node as illustrated at Figure 10. or business organizations (i.e. roles in BPMN). BPMN

QC results as input activity parameter node is used at does not render obsolete the need for systemReview the problem and roots action followed by Analyze development, such as what is performed using the Unifiedremedy possibilities and options action and then Modelling Language (UML). As explained throughAnalyzing results and remedy solutions is placed at modelling development, the flow of material (i.e. physical<<centralBuffer>> data object node. Based on object) could not been elaborately modelled using BPMNJustification for any remedy operation <<decisionInput>> since this standard method simply models the events thatfor received WIP lot [Coded (i+1) QC rejected] input occur to start a process, the process that get performedactivity parameter node, if [Unfixable] then tokens are put and the end results of the process flow. As it wasat Discard lot output activity parameter node unless discussed at business process model for production[Fixable] then at Segregation activity input pin node. logistics system, elements of which represent theSegregation activity consumes all received tokens and activities such as receiving goods or deploying resourcesuses Remedy solution data object as inputs. Segregation are modelled as task or events without connectivityresults data object node as one of its output is used at objects and there is no possibility to model the flow of aRegistration of Quality remedy data action stored at given physical object using BPMN elements. Hence, it isQuality <<datastore>> and followed by Notification for greatly beneficial to demonstrate the flow of material inrework/compensation sendSignalAction directed to modelling the logistics system employing UML activityNotify re-production output activity parameter. All diagrams as supplementary tool for BPMN to provide a

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perceptive portray of modelling such system which modelling needs on process recognition as well as datanot only helps to understand how it works even to a and physical object transformations. Moreover, presentednon-technical users but also it supports the inception of business process model provides generic and empiricalthe system received by the business analyst, system guideline toward more customized data resource andarchitect and software developer absolutely in a better requirement step at data-modelling for the productionway. Developers can only model part of their applications logistics system. The useful explanatory description andwith UML and as to name exceptions the detailed easy-to-understand strategy and techniques at modellingimplementation level is not covered. In contrast, BPMN the business processes is seen as another key feature ofdefines a single type of diagram that has multiple views this paper which can be followed on modelling identicalderived from the same underlying process meta-model. case and systems. As future work, study over BPMNThe complementary co-existence of these two modelling syntax and semantics on possible additional Artifacts ofmethods intends to become the final means of covering which could effectively address the object flow issuesthe modelling needs. would be of great value.

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