Software Selection in Manufacturing Industries Using a Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Making Method, PROMETHEE

R. V. RAO, T. S. RAJESH

.

DOI: 10.4236/iim.2009.13023                

Abstract

This paper presents an effective decision making framework for software selection in manufacturing industries using a multiple criteria decision making method, Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE). The method is improved in the present work by integrating with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic is introduced to handle the imprecision of the human decision making process. The proposed decision making framework is practical for ranking competing software products in terms of their overall performance with respect to multiple criteria. An example is included to illustrate the approach.

Keywords

software selection, manufacturing industries, multiple criteria decision making, PROMETHEE, fuzzy logic

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	L. Mikhailov and M. G. Singh, “Fuzzy analytic network process and its application to the development of decision support systems,” IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C. Applications and Reviews, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 33–41, 2003.
[2]	R. Santhanam and G. J. Kyparisis, “A decision model for interdependent information system project selection,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 89, No. 2, pp. 380–399, 1996.
[3]	R. Santhanam and G. J. Kyparisis, “A multiple criteria decision model for information system project selection,” Computers & Operations Research, Vol. 22, No. 8, pp. 807–818, 1995.
[4]	D. J. Carney and K. C. Wallnau, “A basis for evaluation of commercial software. information and software technology,” Information and Software Technology, Vol. 40, No. 14, pp. 851–860, 1998.
[5]	J. Sarkis and R. P. Sundarraj, “Factors for strategic evaluation of enterprise information technologies,” International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 196–220, 2000.
[6]	M. A. Badri, D. Davis, and D. Davis, “A comprehensive 0–1 goal programming model for project selection,” International Journal of Project Management, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 243–252, 2001.
[7]	M. Morisio, C. B. Seaman, V. R. Basili, A. T. Parra, S. E. Kraft, and S. E. Condon, “COTS-based software development: processes and open issues,” Journal of Systems and Software, Vol. 61, No. 3, pp. 189–199, 2002.
[8]	V. S. Lai, K. W. Bo, and W. Cheung, “Group decision making in a multiple criteria environment: A case using the AHP in software selection,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 137, No. 1, pp. 34–144, 2002.
[9]	J. Sarkis and S. Talluri, “Evaluating and selecting e-commerce software and communication systems for a supply chain,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 159, No. 2, pp. 318–329, 2004.
[10]	C. C. Wei, C. F. Chien, and M. J. J. Wang, “An AHP- based approach to ERP system selection,” International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 96, No. 1, pp. 47–62, 2005.
[11]	J. A. W. Mulebeke, L. Zheng, “Analytical network process for software selection in product development,” Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 337–352, 2006.
[12]	H. J. Shyur, “COTS evaluation using modified TOPSIS and ANP,” Applied Mathematics and Computation, Vol. 177, No. 1, pp. 251–259, 2006.
[13]	J. Otamendi, J. M. Pastor, and A. Garc?′a, “Selection of the simulation software for the management of the operations at an international airport,” Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, Vol. 16, No. 8, pp. 1103–1112, 2008.
[14]	J. P. Brans, B. Mareschal, and P. Vincke, “PROMETHEE: A new family of outranking methods in multicriteria analysis,” Operational Research, Vol. 3, pp. 477–490. 1984.
[15]	T. L. Saaty, “Fundamentals of decision making and priority theory with AHP,” RWS Publications, Pittsburg, 2000.
[16]	R. V. Rao, “Decision making in the manufacturing environment using graph theory and fuzzy multiple attribute decision making methods,” Springer-Verlag, London, 2007.
[17]	O. Marinoni, “A stochastic spatial decision support system based on PROMETHEE,” International Journal of Geographical Information Science, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 51–68, 2005.