Tandem queues with planned inventories

Journal Article

This paper explores a natural generalization of the classic tandem-queue model, designed specifically to represent make-to-stock production processes. In such systems, intermediate and finished goods can be produced and stored in advance of demand. We consider the simplest version of the model, where demand is a Poisson process, and the unit production times are exponentially distributed. We propose and test a tractable approximation scheme. The approximation appears to be quite accurate.

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Lee, YJ; Zipkin, P

Published Date

  • 1992

Published In

  • Operations Research

Volume / Issue

  • 40 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 936 - 947