Optimization programming tools supporting supply chain management

Abstract

The issue of transportation is a particular type of mathematical programming that facilitates searching for and determining an optimal distribution network, considering the set of suppliers and recipients. This paper uses a numerical example to present a solution to a transport problem utilizing classical computation methods, i.e., the northwest corner, the least cost in a matrix, and the VAM approximation method. The objective of the paper was to develop tools in the form of algorithms that would then be implemented in three various computing environments (R, GNU Octave, and Matlab) that allow us to optimize transport costs within an assumed supply network. The model involved determining decision variables and indicating limiting conditions. Furthermore, the authors interpreted and visualized the obtained results. The implementation of the proposed solution enables users to determine an optimal transport plan for individually defined criteria.