Performance modeling and analysis of integrated logistic chains: An analytic framework

This paper is geared toward developing a network of inventory-queue models for the performance modeling and analysis of an integrated logistic network. An inventory-queue is a queueing model that incorporates an inventory replenishment policy for a store, which is a basic modeling element for an integrated logistic network. To achieve this objective, first, this paper presents an analytical modeling framework for integrated logistic chains, in which the interdependencies between model components are captured. Second, a network of inventory-queue models for performance analysis of an integrated logistic network with inventory control at all sites is developed. Then this paper extends the previous work done on the supply network model with base-stock control and service requirements. Instead of one-for-one base stock policy, batch-ordering policy and lot-sizing problems are considered. In practice, the assumption of uncapacitated production is often not true, therefore, GIx/G/1 queueing analysis is used to replace the Mx/G/∞ queue based method. To include lot-sizing issue in the analysis of stores, a fixed-batch target-level production authorization mechanism is employed to explicitly obtain performance measures of the logistic chain queueing model. The validity of the proposed model is illustrated by comparing the results from the analytical performance evaluation model and those obtained from the simulation study.