A decision support system to manage the supply chain of sugar cane

In this work the authors present a Decision Support System (DSS) for planning daily operations in the sugar cane supply chain. The supply chain model is based on a mixed integer linear programming model. The model objective is to minimize transportation costs while assuring cane supply to the sugar mill. The model determines the fields to harvest, the cutting-loading-transport means for such operation, and the roster for each employee. The DSS has been tested under Cuban conditions but easily can be adapted to different situations updating the parameters of the model. Reported savings represent an 8 % of the fuel cost.