Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique (CRAFT):
The previous difficulty can now be alleviated because of the availability of computer software packages like the computerized relative Allocation of Facilities Techniques (CRAFT). The common technique of optimization in CRAFT is identical to what we did visually; exchanges of positions between different departments. The computer program therefore requires inputs data such as:
- Load Summary
- The existing layout and the distance between different locations .
- The floor area requirements of the different departments.
- In addition to this computer program introduces two more aspects:
- The probability of the difference in the costs of materials handling between two different pairs of department expressed as rupees per load per unit distance.
- CRAFT as well takes into account the non move ability of certain department in practice. For instance the receiving section may have to be located near the railway tracks if a large volume of raw materials is received by rail. Such type of position constraints should also be part of the inputs data.
The final aim of the CRAFT program is to minimize the material handling costs for the complete plant.