Sustaining the Supply Chain - Part 2

It.s often a challenge to get from Point A to Point B in normal
circumstances, but after a disaster it can be almost impossible to
transport food, water, and clothing from the usual supply points to
the people in desperate need. A new mathematical model employs
probability and nonlinear programming to design supply chains that
have the best chance of functioning after a disaster. For each
region or country, the model generates a robust chain of supply and
delivery points that can respond to the combination of disruptions
in the network and increased needs of the population. Math also
helps medical agencies operate more efficiently during emergencies,
such as an infectious outbreak. Fluid dynamics and combinatorial
optimization are applied to facility layout and epidemiological
models to allocate resources and improve operations while
minimizing total infection within dispensing facilities. This helps
ensure fast, effective administering of vaccines and other
medicines. Furthermore, solution times are fast enough that
officials can input up-to-the-minute data specific to their
situation and make any necessary redistribution of supplies or
staff in real time. For More Information: Supply Chain Network
Economics: Dynamics of Prices, Flows, and Profits, Anna Nagurney,
2006.