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On the categorization of demand patterns

Author

Listed:
  • A A Syntetos

    (University of Salford)

  • J E Boylan

    (Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College)

  • J D Croston

    (Independent Systems and Statistical Consultant)

Abstract

The categorization of alternative demand patterns facilitates the selection of a forecasting method and it is an essential element of many inventory control software packages. The common practice in the inventory control software industry is to arbitrarily categorize those demand patterns and then proceed to select an estimation procedure and optimize the forecast parameters. Alternatively, forecasting methods can be directly compared, based on some theoretically quantified error measure, for the purpose of establishing regions of superior performance and then define the demand patterns based on the results. It is this approach that is discussed in this paper and its application is demonstrated by considering EWMA, Croston's method and an alternative to Croston's estimator developed by the first two authors of this paper. Comparison results are based on a theoretical analysis of the mean square error due to its mathematically tractable nature. The categorization rules proposed are expressed in terms of the average inter-demand interval and the squared coefficient of variation of demand sizes. The validity of the results is tested on 3000 real-intermittent demand data series coming from the automotive industry.

Suggested Citation

  • A A Syntetos & J E Boylan & J D Croston, 2005. "On the categorization of demand patterns," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 56(5), pages 495-503, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:56:y:2005:i:5:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2601841
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Segerstedt, Anders, 1994. "Inventory control with variation in lead times, especially when demand is intermittent," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(1-3), pages 365-372, June.
    2. A H C Eaves & B G Kingsman, 2004. "Forecasting for the ordering and stock-holding of spare parts," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 55(4), pages 431-437, April.
    3. Willemain, Thomas R. & Smart, Charles N. & Shockor, Joseph H. & DeSautels, Philip A., 1994. "Forecasting intermittent demand in manufacturing: a comparative evaluation of Croston's method," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 529-538, December.
    4. Syntetos, A. A. & Boylan, J. E., 2001. "On the bias of intermittent demand estimates," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1-3), pages 457-466, May.
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