The complexity of distribution systems is augmented by various trends: globalization of the manufacturing industry, rising customer demands, and the reverse flows within closed-loop systems. In this light, the need for 'advanced' planning methods that are based on quantitative optimization is constantly increasing. This book takes up the challenges posed by these developments. In doing so, it presents recent results and case studies from a group of researchers that regularly meet at the IWDL (International Workshop on Distribution Logistics). The text covers the design of distribution networks, vehicle routing, warehousing and reverse logistics. It also contains a comprehensive review of more than 60 case studies in reverse logistics.

Increasing customer needs, the globalization of markets and the evolution of e-commerce add to the complexity of logistic processes. In today's business, it is well understood that an effective management of logistic processes is impossible without the use of computer-based tools and quantitative methods. This book presents in a systematic way quantitative approaches to distribution logistics and supply chain management. The main orientation of the book is towards practical problem solving, and numerous case studies and practical applications are presented. The topics covered include: supply chain management, revers logistics, e-commerce, facility location and network planning, vehicle routing, warehousing, inventory control.

Die Arbeit befasst sich mit der Standortplanung in distributiven Systemen und zugehorigen Modellen und Methoden der gemischt-ganzzahligen Optimierung. Nach einem Uberblick uber Standortmodelle und zugehorige Einsatzfelder werden relevante Methoden der gemischt-ganzzahligen Optimierung behandelt, wobei sich die Darstellung nicht auf Standardtechniken beschrankt. Die dargelegten Losungsprinzipien werden zur Erarbeitung eines reichhaltigen Instrumentariums fur diskrete Standortprobleme genutzt und dessen Einsatz in der Praxis demonstriert. Der Leser findet vielfaltige Hinweise, die fur eine effektive Ausgestaltung von Losungsverfahren fur gemischt-ganzzahlige Programme bzw. diskrete Standortprobleme sowie deren Praxiseinsatz von Bedeutung sind.