In this book . . . Nicolas Vandeput hacks his way through the maze of quantitative supply chain optimizations. This book illustrates how the quantitative optimization of 21st century supply chains should be crafted and executed. . . . Vandeput is at the forefront of a new and better way of doing supply chains, and thanks to a richly illustrated book, where every single situation gets its own illustrating code snippet, so could you. --Joannes Vermorel, CEO, Lokad Inventory Optimization argues that mathematical inventory models can only take us so far with supply chain management. In order to optimize inventory policies, we have to use probabilistic simulations. The book explains how to implement these models and simulations step-by-step, starting from simple deterministic ones to complex multi-echelon optimization. The first two parts of the book discuss classical mathematical models, their limitations and assumptions, and a quick but effective introduction to Python is provided. Part 3 contains more advanced models that will allow you to optimize your profits, estimate your lost sales and use advanced demand distributions. It also provides an explanation of how you can optimize a multi-echelon supply chain based on a simple—yet powerful—framework. Part 4 discusses inventory optimization thanks to simulations under custom discrete demand probability functions. Inventory managers, demand planners and academics interested in gaining cost-effective solutions will benefit from the "do-it-yourself" examples and Python programs included in each chapter. Events around the book Link to a De Gruyter Online Event in which the author Nicolas Vandeput together with Stefan de Kok, supply chain innovator and CEO of Wahupa; Koen Cobbaert, Director in the S&O Industry practice of PwC Belgium; Bram Desmet, professor of operations & supply chain at the Vlerick Business School in Ghent; and Karl-Eric Devaux, Planning Consultant, Hatmill, discuss about models for inventory optimization. The event will be moderated by Eric Wilson, Director of Thought Leadership for Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF): https://youtu.be/565fDQMJEEg

This book discusses inventory models for determining optimal ordering policies using various optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, and data mining concepts. It also provides sensitivity analyses for the models’ robustness. It presents a collection of mathematical models that deal with real industry scenarios. All mathematical model solutions are provided with the help of various optimization techniques to determine optimal ordering policy. The book offers a range of perspectives on the implementation of optimization techniques, inflation, trade credit financing, fuzzy systems, human error, learning in production, inspection, green supply chains, closed supply chains, reworks, game theory approaches, genetic algorithms, and data mining, as well as research on big data applications for inventory management and control. Starting from deterministic inventory models, the book moves towards advanced inventory models. The content is divided into eight major sections: inventory control and management – inventory models with trade credit financing for imperfect quality items; environmental impact on ordering policies; impact of learning on the supply chain models; EOQ models considering warehousing; optimal ordering policies with data mining and PSO techniques; supply chain models in fuzzy environments; optimal production models for multi-items and multi-retailers; and a marketing model to understand buying behaviour. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for practitioners, instructors, students and researchers alike. It also offers essential insights to help retailers/managers improve business functions and make more accurate and realistic decisions.

How can you reduce expensive warehouse stock without risking your customer satisfaction, ability to deliver, and market position? This book teaches you how by providing clear, straightforward details about the SAP system options for implementing efficient inventory management. You'll learn about all of the different functions of SAP ERP and SAP SCM (SAP APO) that are needed to master inventory optimization. In addition, you'll learn about the critical factors that affect your inventory, from inventory analysis, demand planning, and MRP, to service level, lot size, production, and inventory monitoring. This completely updated and expanded second edition includes new sections on MRP and inventory controlling, and is based on SAP ERP 6.0 and SAP SCM 5.1.

Inventory management is a critical component of supply chain management, addressing how much inventory should be carried across the supply chain, where to carry it, and how much safety stock is required to meet the organization's cost and customer service objectives. Now, there's an authoritative and comprehensive guide to best-practice inventory management in any organization. Authored by world-class experts in collaboration with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), this text gives students and practitioners a thorough understanding of each leading approach to managing supply chain inventories, and the variables that drive decisions about inventory levels. It discusses the fundamental need for inventory, how product value affects inventory decisions, how to determine inventory levels, how the number of inventory locations affects inventory levels, and new approaches to reducing inventory. Coverage includes: Basic inventory management goals, roles, concepts, purposes, and terminology, including periodic inventory, perpetual inventory, safety stock, cycle count, ABC analysis, carrying and stockout costs, and more Key inventory management elements, processes, and interactions Principles/strategies for establishing efficient and effective inventory flows The critical role of technology in inventory planning and management New approaches to reducing inventory including postponement, vendor-managed inventories, cross-docking, and quick response systems Understanding essential trade-offs between inventory and transportation costs, including the impact of carrying costs Requirements and challenges of global inventory management Best practices for assessing inventory management performance using standard metrics and frameworks

The story about inventory optimization is never ending story, and it is caught in vicious circle. Six steps we described in this book will help you to keep inventories under control and you manage them, and not vice versa. My desire was to give you the tools that will be able to feed the wolf (read: to satisfy customers), and no sheep are missing (read this again: that the costs are optimal and under control). It is important to note that any method, including this one, will not do the job instead of you. In addition you need to go regularly through these steps, you will also have to make certain strategic and operational decisions on a daily basis. And remember that the worst decision you can make is the one you do not make.

The evolution of industrial development since the 18th century is now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution. The effect of the development has propagated into almost every sector of the industry. From inventory to the circular economy, the effectiveness of technology has been fruitful for industry. The recent trends in research, with new ideas and methodologies, are included in this book. Several new ideas and business strategies are developed in the area of the supply chain management, logistics, optimization, and forecasting for the improvement of the economy of the society and the environment. The proposed technologies and ideas are either novel or help modify several other new ideas. Different real life problems with different dimensions are discussed in the book so that readers may connect with the recent issues in society and industry. The collection of the articles provides a glimpse into the new research trends in technology, business, and the environment.

Using data science in order to solve a problem requires a scientific mindset more than coding skills. Data Science for Supply Chain Forecasting, Second Edition contends that a true scientific method which includes experimentation, observation, and constant questioning must be applied to supply chains to achieve excellence in demand forecasting. This second edition adds more than 45 percent extra content with four new chapters including an introduction to neural networks and the forecast value added framework. Part I focuses on statistical "traditional" models, Part II, on machine learning, and the all-new Part III discusses demand forecasting process management. The various chapters focus on both forecast models and new concepts such as metrics, underfitting, overfitting, outliers, feature optimization, and external demand drivers. The book is replete with do-it-yourself sections with implementations provided in Python (and Excel for the statistical models) to show the readers how to apply these models themselves. This hands-on book, covering the entire range of forecasting—from the basics all the way to leading-edge models—will benefit supply chain practitioners, forecasters, and analysts looking to go the extra mile with demand forecasting.