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Probabilistic Analyses and Algorithms for Three-Level Distribution Systems

Author

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  • Lap Mui Ann Chan

    (University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada)

  • David Simchi-Levi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208)

Abstract

We consider the problem of integrating inventory control and vehicle routing into a cost-effective strategy for a distribution system consisting of a single outside vendor, a fixed number of warehouses and many geographically dispersed retailers. Each retailer faces a constant, retailer specific, demand rate and inventory holding cost is charged at the retailers and the warehouses. We show that, in an effective strategy which minimizes the asymptotic long run average cost, each warehouse receives fully loaded trucks from the vendor but never holds inventory. That is, each warehouse serves only as a coordinator of the frequency, time and sizes of deliveries to the retailers. This insight is used to construct an inventory control policy and vehicle routing strategy for multi-echelon distribution systems. Computational results are also reported.

Suggested Citation

  • Lap Mui Ann Chan & David Simchi-Levi, 1998. "Probabilistic Analyses and Algorithms for Three-Level Distribution Systems," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(11-Part-1), pages 1562-1576, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:44:y:1998:i:11-part-1:p:1562-1576
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.44.11.1562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Ming & Wang, Zheng & Chan, Felix T.S., 2016. "A robust inventory routing policy under inventory inaccuracy and replenishment lead-time," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 290-305.
    2. Ali, Agha Iqbal & O'Connor, Debra J., 2010. "The impact of distribution system characteristics on computational tractability," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(2), pages 323-333, January.
    3. Sayarshad, Hamid R. & Gao, H. Oliver, 2018. "A non-myopic dynamic inventory routing and pricing problem," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 83-98.
    4. Li, Jianxiang & Chu, Feng & Chen, Haoxun, 2011. "A solution approach to the inventory routing problem in a three-level distribution system," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 210(3), pages 736-744, May.
    5. Luca Bertazzi & Giuseppe Paletta & M. Grazia Speranza, 2002. "Deterministic Order-Up-To Level Policies in an Inventory Routing Problem," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 36(1), pages 119-132, February.
    6. N H Moin & S Salhi, 2007. "Inventory routing problems: a logistical overview," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 58(9), pages 1185-1194, September.
    7. Zhao, Qiu-Hong & Wang, Shou-Yang & Lai, K.K., 2007. "A partition approach to the inventory/routing problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(2), pages 786-802, March.
    8. Ali Ekici & Okan Örsan Özener & Gültekin Kuyzu, 2015. "Cyclic Delivery Schedules for an Inventory Routing Problem," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(4), pages 817-829, November.
    9. Claudia Archetti & Luca Bertazzi & Gilbert Laporte & Maria Grazia Speranza, 2007. "A Branch-and-Cut Algorithm for a Vendor-Managed Inventory-Routing Problem," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 41(3), pages 382-391, August.
    10. Li, Hongqi & Zhang, Lu & Lv, Tan & Chang, Xinyu, 2016. "The two-echelon time-constrained vehicle routing problem in linehaul-delivery systems," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 169-188.
    11. Jia Shu, 2010. "An Efficient Greedy Heuristic for Warehouse-Retailer Network Design Optimization," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(2), pages 183-192, May.
    12. Li, Jianxiang & Chen, Haoxun & Chu, Feng, 2010. "Performance evaluation of distribution strategies for the inventory routing problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 202(2), pages 412-419, April.
    13. Chung-Piaw Teo & Jia Shu, 2004. "Warehouse-Retailer Network Design Problem," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 52(3), pages 396-408, June.
    14. Luca Bertazzi, 2008. "Analysis of Direct Shipping Policies in an Inventory-Routing Problem with Discrete Shipping Times," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(4), pages 748-762, April.
    15. Awi Federgruen & Joern Meissner, 2004. "Probabilistic Analysis of Multi-Item Capacitated Lot Sizing Problems," Working Papers MRG/0004, Department of Management Science, Lancaster University, revised Apr 2005.

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