Consolidating Product Sizes to Minimize Inventory Levels for a Multi-Stage Production and Distribution System
研究通过数学规划与启发式方法减少供应链中产品种类数量，并用电子表格模型估算安全库存，帮助管理者量化不同地理区域布局对库存的影响。
AbstractThe optimal design of a supply chain was approached in two phases by using: (1) a mathematical programming formulation and heuristic solution approach to minimize the distinct number of product types held at various points in the supply chain; and (2) a spreadsheet inventory model to estimate the safety stock needed to absorb random fluctuations in both demand and lead time throughout the system. This two-phased approach allowed management to quantify the effects of inventory required for locating parts of the supply chain in different geographic areas. The quantification of projected inventory requirements was a critical input used by senior management to clarify their final decision-making process.Keywords: DistributionInventoryLocationPlanning