Candy producer Jim’s Jellybeans have customers all over the world. To be able to meet demand, the company has been forced to operate 15 separate warehouses across the globe. Lately, however, development in IT and warehouse automation has created new possibilities for Jim’s Jellybeans. The cost of the current operation is (for the whole company): Transportation: $1 000 000 Stock keeping: $15 000 000 Cost for tied-up capital: $2 000 000 The company is faced with three alternatives: Alternative 1: Automate picking. This means that each warehouse will be 30% more expensive (stock keeping cost) due to new equipment etc. But it also means that the order to delivery lead-time for each warehouse will decrease by as much as 60%. The reduced lead time lets the company reduce the number of warehouses to 10. As a result of this, transportation cost will double. Alternative 2: Automate everything. Here, the number of warehouses are reduced to 5. The remaining warehouses are heavily automated and stock keeping cost is increased by 70% for these. Transportation cost increases by 500%. Alternative 3: Do nothing. Keep the current system intact. Na. What is the cost for tied-up capital for alternative 1? What is the cost for tied-up capital for alternative 2?

Practical Management Science
6th Edition
ISBN:9781337406659
Author:WINSTON, Wayne L.
Publisher:WINSTON, Wayne L.
Chapter2: Introduction To Spreadsheet Modeling
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Candy producer Jim’s Jellybeans have customers all over the world. To be able to meet demand, the company has been forced to operate 15 separate warehouses across the globe. Lately, however, development in IT and warehouse automation has created new possibilities for Jim’s Jellybeans. The cost of the current operation is (for the whole company): Transportation: $1 000 000 Stock keeping: $15 000 000 Cost for tied-up capital: $2 000 000 The company is faced with three alternatives: Alternative 1: Automate picking. This means that each warehouse will be 30% more expensive (stock keeping cost) due to new equipment etc. But it also means that the order to delivery lead-time for each warehouse will decrease by as much as 60%. The reduced lead time lets the company reduce the number of warehouses to 10. As a result of this, transportation cost will double. Alternative 2: Automate everything. Here, the number of warehouses are reduced to 5. The remaining warehouses are heavily automated and stock keeping cost is increased by 70% for these. Transportation cost increases by 500%. Alternative 3: Do nothing. Keep the current system intact. Na. What is the cost for tied-up capital for alternative 1? What is the cost for tied-up capital for alternative 2? 

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