Optimal and asymptotically optimal policies for assemble-to-order n- and W-systems
研究了两种按订单装配系统在随机需求和不同交货期下的最优补货与分配策略，发现常用启发式策略可能造成显著损失，并提出了高需求下的渐近最优策略。
We consider two specially structured assemble-to-order (ATO) systems—the N- and W-systems—under continuous review, stochastic demand, and nonidentical component replenishment leadtimes. Using a hybrid approach that combines sample-path analysis, linear programming, and the tower property of conditional expectation, we characterize the optimal component replenishment policy and common-component allocation rule, present comparative statics of the optimal policy parameters, and show that some commonly used heuristic policies can lead to significant optimality loss. The optimality results require certain symmetry in the cost parameters. In the absence of this symmetry, we show that, for systems with high demand volume, the asymptotically optimal policy has essentially the same structure; otherwise, the optimal policies have no clear structure. For these latter systems, we develop heuristic policies and show their effectiveness. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 617–645, 2015