Genetic Algorithm for Inventory Levels and Routing Structure Optimization in Two Stage Supply Chain

Introduction

To exploit economies of scale and order in large lots, the important issue in supply chain is to optimize the inventory level by considering various costs in maintaining a high service level towards the customer. Since, the cost of capital tied up in inventory is more; the inventory decision in the supply chain should be coordinated without disturbing the service level. The coordination of inventory decision within an entity is viable, but not between the entities. So the integration of the entities to centralize the inventory control is needed. Several factors that influence inventory policy and practice of the firm includes distribution savings and demand seasonality in production and purchasing economies with the desired level of customer service. Transportation is the spatial linkage for the physical flows of a supply chain. Today, supply chain has to examine the effective use with value added processes in distribution center with minimum inventory levels for delivering the product in time. The gateway of the supply chain is to know our customer needs and serve by considering the aspects of speed and reliable service with the value proportions. The effective supply chain management needs to improve customer service, reduction of costs across the supply chain, optimal management of existing inventory with optimized manufacturing schedules. The impact of distribution inventory will enhance the customer value in the form of lower costs across the supply chain. This paper presents the Genetic Algorithm for Distribution and Inventory Management (GADIM) approach for optimizing the inventory levels of supply chain entities with the consideration of two-echelon blood bank to hospital and warehouse to customers. This model is especially suitable for inventory control and cost reduction by unlocking the hidden profits through the genetic algorithm optimization. The generalized GADIM evaluate the transportation link between the two entities and finds the best route for transporting the product from plant to warehouse and then to customer. The demand of the customer is known in advance, so that the production rate and the inventory levels can be adjusted in the plant and warehouse. Since the logistics plays an important role in the supply chain that the two important sectors transportation and distribution inventory has taken into consideration for redesigning the allocation and routing through optimization. This approach is based on genetic algorithm. It searches the population of solutions of an optimization problem towards the improvement by simulating the natural search and selection process associated with natural genetics. The model comprises the genetic algorithm optimization where the inventory level at the plant and warehouse are optimized according to the production capacity of the same. The distribution costs plays an important role in optimizing the inventory level, so that the total cost for the entire supply chain is minimized. The GADIM approach assure in minimizing the total cost of the supply chain by optimizing the inventory levels in accordance with production capacity of plant and warehouse.