During the last two decades, many heuristic procedures for the joint replenishment problem have appeared in the literature. The only available optimal solution procedure was based on an enumerative approach and was computationally prohibitive. In this paper we present an alternative optimal...

In this paper we proposed an efficient algorithm to solve the joint replenishment problem to optimality. We perform a computational study to compare the performance of the proposed algorithm with the best one reported in Viswanathan [6]. The study reveals that for large minor set-up costs and...

We study the joint replenishment problem (JRP) for M items under deterministic demand, with a minimum order quantity constraint for each item in the replenishment order. We first study an iterative procedure that proves to be not efficient in this case. Further, we derive bounds on the basic...

In this paper we give a complete analysis of the joint replenishment problem (JRP) under constant demands and continuous time. We present a solution method for the JRP when a correction is made for empty replenishments, and we test the solution procedures with real data. We show that the...

We consider a joint manufacturing / remanufacturing environment with remanufacturing yield loss. Demand and return follow independent stationary Poisson processes. Returns can be disposed off upon arrival to the system. Manufacturing and remanufacturing operations performed in the same facility...

Demand for spare parts can sometimes be classified into critical and non-critical demand, depending on the criticality of the equipment in which it is installed. To effectively handle this situation in spare parts inventory control, we propose a stocking policy where some of the stock is...

This paper presents a case study of applying a Bayesian approach to forecast demand and subsequently determine the appropriate parameter S of an (S-1,S) inventory system for controlling spare parts of electronic equipment. First, the problem and the current policy are described. Then, the basic...

The literature on stochastic models for inventory control with product returns commonly makes the following simplifying assumptions: demand and returns are each a homogeneous (compound) Poisson process, and the processes are independent of each other. In this paper we explore the validity of...

Inventory policies for joint remanufacturing and manufacturing have recently received much attention. Most efforts, though, were related to (optimal) policy structures and numerical optimization, rather than closed form expressions for calculating near optimal policy parameters. The focus of...

In this study we investigate the desired level of recovery under various inventory control policies when the success of recovery is probabilistic. Recovery process is modelled as a single stage operation and recovery effort is represented by the expected time spent for it. The effect of...