Vending machines on aircraft carriers

StrategyPage has an interesting inventory-related article: Why The World's Largest Vending Machine Matters. Typical soda machines on a carrier's hangar deck might need to be replenished several times a day. The new VIB machine is 3 times larger than a commerical machine, so might need replenishment only once per day.

I wonder what the cost-per-replenishment is on an aircraft carrier?

Material Handling Links

Michael Cole's Material Handing Page has sections on the Material Handling Industry of America trade association, Magazines & Journals, Societies & Associations, Research Groups, Equipment, Continuing Education, and Academic Courses.

InventoryOps Link Page

InventoryOps.com Links Page: Inventory Management, Manufacturing, Material Handling, and Warehousing.

Nestlé Supply Chain

Nestlé Cooks Up a Global Supply Chain

Slate article

One Word: Logistics --
The unheralded key to the New Economy

Microsoft Excel Solver

The following websites have useful information on the Excel Solver:


Introduction to optimization with the Excel Solver tool

Solving a Linear Program Using the Excel Solver

Solver tutorial for optimization users

Using Solver for LP Problems

Warehouse design software

Georgia Tech professors Bartholdi and Hackman have written a new book: Warehouse and Distribution Science.

The book's Supplement includes web-based Java software that addresses slotting, flow visualization, and pick-path design.

OR/MS Today software surveys

OR/MS Today Software Surveys includes Vehicle Routing, Supply Chain Management, Forecasting, etc.

INFORMS

INFORMS OR/MS Resource Collection: Computer Programs has an extensive list of commercial and non-commercial programs for Opereations Research.

List of logistics providers and consultants

The Supply Chain Space

logistics.about.com

Some links:

1. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Software

2. Starting a Logistics Software Company

Layout software included in Heragu's Facilities Design text

Layout software to accompany Facilities Design (Heragu) is available for free download.

Capabilities: block layout
Author: varies by program
License: educational use only
Platform requirements: Microsoft Windows
User-modifiable: no

ASDN: Agile Supply Demand Networks

ASDN is open source software for "analyzing and developing logistics networks."

Capabilities: logistics networks
License: GPL
Platform requirements: Java
User-modifiable: Yes.

List of software for facilities design

Shahrukh A. Irani has listed various facilities design programs (mainly commerical).

BLOCPLAN - layouts

BLOCPLAN is useful for developing block layouts. It is used in IE courses at the University of Houston and at other universities.

Capabilities: block layout
Author: Charles Donaghey
License: contact author
Platform requirements: Microsoft DOS/Windows
User-modifiable: no

Lineback: VRP with backhauls

Lineback addresses the "Vehicle Routing with Backhauls" problem. The software is used in several courses at Georgia Tech.

Capabilities: VRP with backhauls
Author: Marc Goetschalckx
License: contact author
Platform requirements: Microsoft Windows
User-modifiable: no

Tours: traveling salesman problem

Tours addresses the Traveling Salesman Problem. The software is used in several courses at Georgia Tech.

Capabilities: traveling salesman problem
Author: Marc Goetschalckx
License: contact author
Platform requirements: Microsoft Windows
User-modifiable: no

Spiral - facilities design and layout

Spiral is a state-of-the-art program for developing block layouts. It is used in several courses at Georgia Tech.

Capabilities: layout
Author: Marc Goetschalckx
License: contact author
Platform requirements: Microsoft Windows
User-modifiable: no

Matlog: Logistics engineering Matlab toolbox

Matlog is a comprehensive package used in two Industrial Engineering courses at North Carolina State University.

Capabilities: facility location, VRP, networks, layout, geocoding
Author: Michael G. Kay
License: free for non-commercial use as long as original source is cited
Platform requirements: Matlab
User-modifiable: only if you are a good Matlab programmer

Logistics: software for analysis and design

This blog will discuss software (and other technologies) related to the design and analysis of logistics systems.

I plan to include links to my own small software programs.