Analysis of a Three-Echelon Supply Chain System with Multiple Retailers, Stochastic Demand and Transportation Times

In this paper we present an exact numerical model for the evaluation of a three-echelon supply chain with multiple retailers. Poisson demand, exponentially distributed transportation times and lost sales at the retailers are assumed. The system is modeled as a continuous time Markov chain, and the analysis is based on matrix analytic methods. We analyze the infinitesimal generator matrix of the process and develop an algorithm for its construction. Performance measures for the system are calculated algorithmically from the stationary probabilities vector. The algorithm is used for an extensive numerical investigation of the system so that conclusions of managerial importance may be drawn.