131126DNAoptimiser - middleware to simulate & optimise Advanced Manufacturing SME performanceClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKTraditionally, production scheduling systems cannot account for the variation that inherently exists in most manufacturing environments, assuming that all processing and lead times are fixed and predictable and ignoring the fact that there are day-to-day disruptions on the factory floor. Without taking these risks into account upfront, the manufacturing production schedules continuously need to be changed to reflect every disruption that happens or the schedules will be become inaccurate. This feasibility study will develop a demonstrator middleware system that captures shopfloor variables and variance risk inherent in advanced manufacturing SMEs and integrate with proprietary factory simulation software to provide real-time decision support tools that make tangible improvements to UK manufacturing performance and competitiveness.