Högskolan i Skövde

This paper introduces a framework that integrates smart production logistics (SPL) with network diagrams. This integration enhances visibility in the material and information flow within the manufacturing sector, thereby adding value through data visualization. Drawing from a detailed case study in the automotive industry, we outline the essential components of network diagrams that are tailored to depict spatial-temporal data linked with material handling processes in an SPL context. This integrated approach presents managers with a new tool for optimizing planning and executing tasks related to the transport of materials and information. Furthermore, while the framework brings about significant technological progress, it also emphasizes the managerial implications of SPL data visualization. In particular, it highlights its potential to foster informed decision-making, resource optimization, and strategic forecasting. The paper also discusses prospective research avenues, stressing the importance of dynamic diagrams that decode complex patterns from digital data and the incorporation of sustainability metrics in SPL assessments.