We consider a heuristic for serial production systems with random yields and rigid demand: all usable units exiting a stage move forward. We calculate optimal lots and corresponding expected costs for binomial, interrupted-geometric, and all-or-nothing yields. Our method is that it makes it easy...

We consider a two-echelon assembly system producing a single final product for which the demand is known. The first echelon consists of several parallel stages, whereas the second echelon consists of a single assembly stage. We assume that the yield at each stage is random and that demand needs...

We consider partially observed Markov decision processes with control limits. We analytically show how the finite-horizon control limits are non-monotonic in (a) the time remaining and (b) the probability of obtaining a conforming unit. We also prove that the infinite-horizon control limit can...

The increased complexity of contemporary manufacturing makes it hard to maintain a predictable level of output. We consider several types of multistage systems in an environment where yield is random, production is in lots and demand needs to be satisfied in its entirety. For each possible...

Focused Management Technology (FMT) is a managerial approach to solving an organization's problems, designed to improve processes and increase profits. It is based on the integration of the well-established Just In Time (JIT), Total Quality Management (TQM), Theory of Constraints (TOC), Global...

The declining prices of new technology products often results ina tendency for many decision makers to wait for lower prices, andto postpone a capital investment.This paper makes a distinction between the prices of technologyelements and the prices of components and systems. There aremany cases...

The completion of a typical project hinges upon receiving all the purchased components by thetime they are scheduled to be used. Some of these components may have long stochastic leadtimes, so the project manager is tempted to order them ASAP, to avoid the (usual) high penaltiesassociated with...

Manufacturing management information systems are in arelatively less mature state than financial information systems.This difference in maturity is due in part, to historicalreasons, and to the complex and dynamic nature of manufacturingsystem attributes. This research compares the various...