Abstract.
We develop a general purpose analytical approximation method for the performance evaluation of a multi-stage, serial, echelon kanban control system. The basic principle of the method is to decompose the original system into a set of nested subsystems, each subsystem being associated with a particular echelon of stages. Each subsystem is analyzed in isolation using a product-form approximation technique. An iterative procedure is used to determine the unknown parameters of each subsystem. Numerical results show that the method is fairly accurate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Correspondence to: George Liberopoulos
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Koukoumialos, S., Liberopoulos, G. An analytical method for the performance evaluation of echelon kanban control systems. OR Spectrum 27, 339–368 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-004-0188-0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-004-0188-0