电子表格实现配送中心的库存控制外文翻译.docVIP

外文文献翻译 Spreadsheet Implementable Inventory Control for a Distribution Center Abstract This paper develops and tests a simple procedure for establishing stocking rules for a multi-component distribution center that supplies spare parts for an equipment maintenance operation. Our basic formulation seeks to minimize inventory investment subject to constraints on average service level and replenishment frequency. We simplify this formulation by classifying parts according to a new ABC methodology and applying heuristics to the classical (Q, r) model that lead to closed-form expressions for the stocking parameters. Our numerical results show that:(1) the proposed ABC scheme does not introduce large errors provided that it is done in a manner that reflects the key parameters in the model, and (2) any of a number of simple reorder point heuristics can provide the basis for an effective spreadsheet implementable system for controlling inventory in a complex multi-component environment as long as the service level is checked against the exact formula Key Words: multi-component inventory control, spare parts, ABC methodology, heuristics 1. Motivation and background Firms that support after-market operations are facing an increasingly challenging environment. As customer expectations rise and product complexity increases, they are being forced to stock an enormous variety of service parts. At the same time, product life cycles are becoming shorter due to rapid technology advancement, increasing the likelihood of obsolescence. Under these conditions advanced inventory management methodologies can significantly reduce the inventory cost of achieving a given level of customer service. However, many firms in this type of situation still have not invested in advanced inventory management methodologies, largely due to the difficulty of implementing existing methodologies. According to a benchmarking study of service parts logistics by Cohen, Zheng and Agrawal (1997), most firms