In this work we deal with multilevel integrated distribution problems and in particular, we analyse the management of inventories of final goods in the distribution system. We present a survey of methods proposed in the recent literature devoted to the integration of inventory management systems. Starting from the concept of echelon inventory position we present an approach for the optimal flow...

Managing inventory in distribution systems involves taking decisions on the quantity of inventory to be placed at different stages so that a desired customer service level can be achieved at minimum cost. In this paper, we present the case of the distribution system of an Indian FMCG company, which despite having centralized control takes replenishment decisions based on local stock information...

We consider a two-stage production-inventory system with demand at the downstream stage and returns at each stage. We characterize the structure of the optimal policy which is a complex state-dependent Base-stock policy. We also investigate four classes of policies : Fixed buffer, Base-stock echelon, Kanban and Half-optimal. We compare the performances of these policies and exhibit that the max...

W consider a two-echelon inventory system with a capacitated centralized production facility and several distribution centers (DCs). Both production and transportation times are stochastic with general distributions. Demand arrives at each DC according to an independent Poisson process and is backlogged if the DC is out of stock. We allow different holding and backlog costs at the different DCs...

Coordination of Supply Chain Inventory Systems with Private Information. (December 2006) Chi-Leung Chu, B.B.A., The Chinese University of Hong Kong; M.B.A., University of New Mexico; M.S., Case Western Reserve University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. V. Jorge Leon This dissertation considers the problems of coordinating different supply chain inventory systems with private information under ...

We consider a serial inventory system with N stages. The material flows from an outside supplier to stage N, then to stage N0 1, etc., and finally to stage 1 where random customer demand arises. Each stage replenishes a stage-specific inventory position according to a stagespecific reorder point/order quantity policy. Two variations of this policy are considered. One is based on echelon stock, ...

This paper considers a single-item, two-echelon, continuous-review inventory model. A number of retailers have their stock replenished from a central warehouse. The warehouse in turn replenishes stock from an external supplier. The demand processes on the retailers are independent Poisson. Demand not met at a retailer is lost. The order quantity from each retailer on the warehouse and from the ...

In this paper we consider a 1-warehouse, N-retailer inventory system where demand occurs at all locations. We introduce an inventory model which allows us to set different service levels for retailers and direct customer demand at the warehouse. For each retailer a critical level is defined, such that a retailer replenishment order is delivered from warehouse stock if and only if the stock leve...