Integration of COTS software products ARENA and CPLEX for an inventory/logistics problem

This paper describes the integration of two commercially available, highly specialized, off-the-shelf software packages-CPLEX and ARENA. We present the need for such integration and the ways in which it differs from the more traditional methods of problem solving. The two products are described in detail followed by an example that requires this integration. A detailed account of the integration is also presented together with drawbacks of this approach. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the mechanics of integrating two commonly used Operations Research software packages, CPLEX and ARENA. It then illustrates such integration by analyzing a sample supply chain apllication in the area of inventory/logistics. A discussion of the paper's findings and potential drawbacks to the approach are provided.