Distribution Strategies - Intermediate inventory storage point strategies

5 important questions on Distribution Strategies - Intermediate inventory storage point strategies

Which intermediate inventory storage point strategies exist?

  • Traditional warehousing strategy
  • Cross-docking strategy
  • Centralized pooling strategy
  • Transshipment strategy

What is a cross-docking strategy?

In this system, warehouses function as inventory coordination points rather than as inventory storage points. In typical cross-docking systems, goods arrive at warehouses from the manufacturer, are transferred to vehicles serving the retailers, and are delivered to the retailers as rapidly as possible.

Why are cross-docking systems very difficult to manage?

  1. Distribution centers, retailers and suppliers must be linked with advanced information systems to ensure that all pickups and deliveries are made within the required time windows.
  2. A fast and responsive transportation system is necessary for a cross-docking system to work.
  3. Forecasts are critical, necessitating the sharing of information.
  4. Cross-docking strategies are effective only for large distribution systems in which a large number of vehicles are delivering and picking up goods at the cross-dock facilities at any one time. There is enough volume every day to ship with full trucks.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

Why can customer search be more effective with a decentralized system?

If a customer will search for the product at another dealer from the same company when the first dealer has been out of stock, then we will most likely have the highest chance to find the product with a decentralized system compared to a centralized system as a centralized system causes the same inventory pool for all dealers.

What does a Nash Equilibrium from game theory mean in supply chain management?

If two competitors make the same decisions, they have reached a Nash equilibrium.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo