Decision support system effectiveness: a review and an empirical test
Management Science
A psychological approach to decision support systems
Management Science
MA|PM: memetic algorithms with population management
Computers and Operations Research
A black-box scatter search for optimization problems with integer variables
Journal of Global Optimization
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For the distribution of spare parts to car dealers, many automotive companies use a transport network of intermediate hubs or transport platforms, operated by a set of third-party logistics (3PL) partners. The optimization of this network, particularly the selection of 3PL providers and corresponding transport platforms, is a complex decision that needs to be supported by appropriate software tools. In this paper, we develop such a tool, implement it, and show its results on a real-life case study provided by Toyota. The tool is currently in active use at Toyota to study and improve the distribution of spare parts in Germany. Using a tabu search metaheuristic, the developed tool essentially solves a large location-routing problem, but has several innovative features to increase its usefulness. First, the tool generates a set of high-quality but structurally different solutions, rather than a single one. This increases Toyota's negotiating power, increases its ability to analyze its current transport network against possible alternatives, and allows it to quickly switch between different transport networks if unexpected events occur. Second, a commercial vehicle-routing solver is integrated into the tool, to allow for a far more realistic modeling of the vehicle-routing decision.