Title: Development of an information fractal to optimise inventory in the supply network

Authors: Sameh M. Saad; Ramin Bahadori

Addresses: Department of Engineering and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK ' Department of Engineering and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK

Abstract: The aim of this research paper is to develop a new conceptual framework for an information fractal to optimise inventory including safety stock, cycle stock and prevent stock out at lowest logistics cost and further enhance integration within the network. The proposed framework consists of two levels; top and bottom level fractals. Fractals in the bottom level analyse demand, optimise safety stock and then transmit output to the top level fractal. Fractals in the top level investigate different replenishment frequencies to determine the optimum cycle stock for each fractal in the bottom level. The proposed conceptual framework and a hypothetical supply network are implemented and validated using mathematical modelling and supply chain GURU simulation software; in order to optimise inventory in the supply network during the demand test period. Experimental factorial design and statistical techniques (MANOVA) are used to generate and analyse the results.

Keywords: fractal supply network; supply network modelling; inventory optimisation; simulation; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSCOM.2018.091620

International Journal of Service and Computing Oriented Manufacturing, 2018 Vol.3 No.2/3, pp.127 - 150

Received: 14 May 2017
Accepted: 09 Nov 2017
Published online: 08 May 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article