Enabling strategic fulfillment : a decision support tool for fulfillment network optimization

Dell's Third-Party (3P) Product network uses several different order fulfillment methods, though the determination of which products are fulfilled under which method is not clearly delineated. We have developed a tool to assist in the decision making process for Dell's 3P distribution network. This tool transparently presents the results of cost modeling and forecast variance simulation while maintaining usability to achieve broad adoption and exert influence on product fulfillment method decisions. The cost model created takes into account product, overhead, logistics, and capital costs and has the capability to deal with volume uncertainties through simulation. This tool solidifies the discussion around choosing the correct fulfillment method decision process and is the first step towards quantifying the fulfillment method decision.

Department dc:contributor.department

Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Drake, Bryan (Bryan G.)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David Simchi-Levi and Stephen Graves.

• Sloan School of Management.
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
• Leaders for Global Operations Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/73440

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/73440