For mathWHIZ only

Leung/MS3053

MS 3053 Comprehensive Business Case Study: Agrifarm Distribution Network Due: December 9, 2014 (Tuesday) This comprehensive case study is a required submission which accounts for 3% of the overall course grade. In other words, the points from this case study will be counted directly toward the total score accumulated in your record. You can select to conduct the case study individually or in a group of two to six students. Each group needs to submit only one copy of the report and every team member in the group will receive the same grade. Hence, please choose the classmate(s) you like to work with. Policy regarding the grading of case project is written on the syllabus. All grades are not subject to negotiation. Any late work after the due date will not be accepted or graded. Please be aware that a submission of materials does not imply or guarantee credit. Grade for the case project reflects quality, accuracy, and completeness of the submitted work. For the details, study carefully the accompanied “Distribution Network for Agrifarm” case on logistic / distribution management. This is similar (but not identical) to the logistics management homework problem you submitted before Exam 2. Please be aware that this case problem mirrors Problem 20 at the end of the text book chapter but with some changes to the numbers. The case can be found inside the course material folder on Blackboard. In summary, you need to develop a logistic integer programming (IP) model, perform appropriate analysis using Excel spreadsheet and solver, recommend a distribution system to be implemented by the hospital, and finally, present a formal business communication report. For full credit, your submission must contain the following items:

• A cover page listing the names of all team member(s). No names can be added after the submission.

• An executive summary outlining the logistics problem, available business actions to solve the problem as well as the final decisions and recommendations based on your analysis.

• A network diagram showing the origins and their capacities, destinations and their demands, processing center hubs, all possible logistic connections (bounds) between these groups and their respective costs. The diagram must be fully labeled.

• A logistic integer program (IP) which is used to optimize this distribution system. Label or write remarks of the objective function and the various constraints if you like.

• A print out of your cell formulations programmed to the Excel spreadsheet. You can use

the “Display Formula” feature in Excel to display all cell formulations before printing. Be sure you type your name(s) or team ID on the spreadsheet before printing it out.

Leung/MS3053

• A print out of the optimal solution (i.e., distribution / routing plan) obtained by Excel. Be

sure you type your name(s) or team ID on the spreadsheet before printing it out.

• A brief narrative discussion explaining the logistics model, how you perform the analysis (i.e., methodology) and the final decisions and recommendations. Justifications to your recommendations are also expected.

The integer programming formulation (in mathematical symbols) can be written by hand (in a legible manner). Likewise, the logistics network diagram can be hand-drawn. However, all narrative writing must be clearly organized and typed in double spacing. The executive summary should not exceed one and an half pages while the narrative discussion can be three to eight pages, depending on your extensiveness and effort. Hint: this case project is related to a previous homework. You need to develop an Excel spreadsheet to obtain the optimal distribution plan. You can modify the provided IP logistics template to accommodate for the adaptations necessary for this case problem. Be sure to check whether the total capacity for all farms (origins) is able to support the total demand by all customers (destinations). Think about what to do in case of shortage. Do not hesitate to refer to your homework for formulation and other information. Understanding and re-studying of the sets of class notes on logistic module and Excel spreadsheet modeling and problem solving as well as the relevant sections in the textbook is useful in refreshing the mind and bringing out memory. If needed, you may want to go through the materials in the IS prerequisites regarding Excel programming. Once again, all relevant files to this project are available from the course material folder on Blackboard. Note: a typical professional executive summary should be approximately one to one and an half

pages long. It should encompass at least the three primary elements of a business communication report – 1. define the business problem or the gist of analysis; 2. state the available business options and, in some cases, their respective consequences; and 3. provide specific recommendations or conclusions based on your analysis.