In today’s dynamic market numerous dynamic influencing factors have seriously aggravates the difficulties of inventory planning of the complex distribution networks. This paper proposes a simulation-based hybrid approach for the optimization of the inventory policies in complex distribution networks. The initial multi-echelon inventory policies are handed over to a simulation model, which is ca...

This paper studies a periodic-review, serial inventory system in which echelon r nQ T policies are implemented. Under such a policy, each stage reviews its inventory in every T period and orders according to an echelon r nQ policy. Two types of fixed costs are considered: one is associated with each order batch Q, and the other is incurred for each inventory review. The objective is to find the...

In this paper, we consider a Markovian model for a two-echelon inventory/return system. The system consists of a supply plant with infinite capacity and a central warehouse for inventory and returns. There are also a number of local warehouses which are also capable of re-manufacturing of returns to products. To obtain a high service level of handling inventory and returns, lateral transshipmen...

Inventory control is one of the most important issues in supply chain management. In this paper, a three-echelon production, distribution, inventory system composed of one producer, a set of wholesalers and retailers is considered. Costumers' demands can be approximated by a normal distribution and the inventory policy is a kind of continuous review (R, Q). In this paper, a model based on stand...

This paper examines the cost-reduction effect of “postponed” routing decisions in a two-echelon supply chain. When a delivery vehicle leaves the warehouse with system replenishment quantities, it sequentially makes routing decisions to choose the next retailer to visit. To measure this effect this paper studies combined vehicle routing and inventoryallocation policies designed to minimize total...

In this paper, a supplier-retailer transportation system is investigated as a two-echelon environment. There is a single location in each echelon; the unique supplier at the first echelon has to replenish the retailer's warehouse at the second echelon. By the way, the shortage situation should be avoided. For this situation, a model is provided based on the traditional EOQ model. The inventory ...