In this paper, we studied the performance of a traditional
three-echelon supply chain and an EPOS supply chain in a
context of perishable products. The supply chain structure
was modeled based on the previous proposal of John et al.
[27]. A hybrid modeling approach based on system dynamic
simulation, and the optimization of several parameters such
as forecasting accuracy, bullwhip effect, fill rate of total
costs, was used.
To evaluate the results, the bullwhip effect, fill rate, total
wasted products and costs at the manufacturer and retailer
levels were considered. We realized that the EPOS structure
performed better in terms of the bullwhip effect and the
manufacturer and fill rates than the traditional ones.
However, it is important to highlight that ordering costs, as
foreseen, were slightly higher in EPOS structures because of
the tendency to generate a larger number of orders that
better adjust to customer requirements. For the optimization
of several parameters, it has been demonstrated that the
results improve all the evaluated parameters, i.e. bullwhip
effect, fill rates, total costs, wasted products, inventory and
stockout costs, in spite of slightly increasing ordering costs,