Allocation policies and cost approximations for multilocation inventory systems

Abstract Consider a central depot that supplies several locations experiencing random demands. Periodically, the depot may place an order for exogenous supply. Orders arrive after a fixed leadtime, and are then allocated among the several locations. Each allocation reaches its destination after a further delay. We consider the special case where the penalty‐cost/holding‐cost ratio is constant over the locations. Several approaches are given to approximate the dynamic program describing the problem. Each approach provides both a near‐optimal order policy and an approximation of the optimal cost of the original problem. In addition, simple but effective allocation policies are discussed.