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inventory control system

computer science

Quick Summary

Inventory control is the coordination and supervision of a supply chain's materials. This includes managing storage, distribution, and recording to ensure adequate stock for current needs without excessive oversupply or loss.1

In computer science and operations research, inventory control involves determining optimal stock levels and reorder points to balance costs. These costs include storage, obsolescence, and investment, which increase with inventory size, against setup costs and potential shortages, which decrease.2

Common control systems include the two-bin system, where an order is triggered when the first bin is depleted, and the reorder-cycle system, which involves ordering at fixed intervals. Inventory models help minimize total costs by considering demand, lead times, and various cost factors.2

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