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A model for heuristic coordination of real life distribution inventory systems with lumpy demand

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  • Berling, Peter
  • Marklund, Johan

Abstract

This paper presents an approximation model for optimizing reorder points in one-warehouse N-retailer inventory systems subject to highly variable lumpy demand. The motivation for this work stems from close cooperation with a supply chain management software company, Syncron International, and one of their customers, a global spare parts provider. The model heuristically coordinates the inventory system using a near optimal induced backorder cost at the central warehouse. This induced backorder cost captures the impact that a reorder point decision at the warehouse has on the retailers’ costs, and decomposes the multi-echelon problem into solving N+1 single-echelon problems. The decomposition framework renders a flexible model that is computationally and conceptually simple enough to be implemented in practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Berling, Peter & Marklund, Johan, 2013. "A model for heuristic coordination of real life distribution inventory systems with lumpy demand," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 230(3), pages 515-526.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:230:y:2013:i:3:p:515-526
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2013.04.053
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    Cited by:

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    2. Olof Stenius & Ayşe Gönül Karaarslan & Johan Marklund & A. G. de Kok, 2016. "Exact Analysis of Divergent Inventory Systems with Time-Based Shipment Consolidation and Compound Poisson Demand," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 64(4), pages 906-921, August.
    3. Yong Luo & Shi-zhao Wang & Xiao-chen Sun & Oscar D. Crisalle, 2016. "Analysis of retailers’ coalition stability for supply chain based on LCS and stable set," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(1), pages 170-185, January.
    4. Syntetos, A.A. & Teunter, R.H. & Babai, M.Z. & Transchel, S., 2016. "On the benefits of delayed ordering," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(3), pages 963-970.
    5. Dimitrova, Dimitrina S. & Ignatov, Zvetan G. & Kaishev, Vladimir K. & Tan, Senren, 2020. "On double-boundary non-crossing probability for a class of compound processes with applications," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 282(2), pages 602-613.
    6. Berling, Peter & Johansson, Lina & Marklund, Johan, 2023. "Controlling inventories in omni/multi-channel distribution systems with variable customer order-sizes," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).

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