[meteor_slideshow slideshow=”arp1″]
Wayne Schuller managed a warehouse in Minnetonka, Minnesota. His major concern was the number of work-
ers to assign to his single unloading dock.After he began contracting with motor carriers for deliveries, he found that they were assessing him
stiff penalties if their trucks had to wait to be unloaded. Wayne started adding larger crews at the unloading dock, but often they seemed idle
because there were no trucks to unload. Wayne recalled from college that queueing theory might be applicable to such a problem.
The theory of queueing is an analysis of the probabilities associated with waiting in line, assuming that
orders,customers,and so on arrive in some pattern (often a random pattern) to stand in line.A common situation is that on the average a facility
may have excess capacity, but often it is more than full, with a backlog of work to be done. Often, this backlog has costs associated with it,
including penalties to be paid or customers who walk away rather than wait. If a firm expands its capacity to reduce waiting times, then its
costs go up and must be paid even when the facility is idle.Queueing theory is used to find the best level of capacity, the one that minimises
the costs of providing a service and the costs of those
waiting to use the service.
After some further research specific to his firm, Wayne determined the following facts:
1. Trucks arrive randomly at the average rate of four
per hour, with a deviation of plus or minus one.
2. A team of two warehouse workers can unload
trucks at the rate of five per hour, or one every 12
minutes.
3. A team of three warehouse workers can unload
trucks at the rate of eight per hour, or one every
7.5 minutes.
4. A team of four warehouse workers can unload trucks
at the rate of 10 per hour,or one every 6 minutes.
5. A team of five warehouse workers can unload
trucks at the rate of 11 per hour, or one every 4.45
minutes.
6. The unloading times given in the preceding items
(1?5) are average figures.
7. Each warehouse worker receives $14 per hour,
must be paid for an entire shift, and?because of
union work rules?cannot be assigned to other
tasks within the warehouse.
8. Because of its contract with the carriers, the
Minnetonka warehouse must pay the motor carriers that own idle trucks at the rate of $60 per hour
while the trucks stand idle,waiting to be unloaded.
Use a software package that enables you to perform queueing operations.Note that the variable defined
as number of servers (# servers) denotes number of teams of workers and accompanying equipment working
as a complete server.In the situation described,the number of teams or servers is always 1, although the number
varies in terms of costs and output.
Instruction:
Reference Case 10-1, Minnetonka Warehouse. The research question is described
in the item 4 below.
Write a 3 to 5 Page paper (1000 to 1500 words) in APA format.
Below is a recommended outline.
2. Cover Page (See APA Sample paper)
3. Introduction
a. A thesis statement
b. Purpose of paper
c. Overview of paper
4. Body
a. For each of the four work team sizes, calculate the expected number of trucks waiting in
the queue to be unloaded.
b. For each of the four work team sizes, calculate the expected time in queue-that is, the
expected time that a truck has to wait in line to be unloaded.
c. For each of the four work team sizes, what is the probability that a truck cannot be
unloaded immediately?
d. Wayne is also considering rental of a forklift to use in truck unloading. A team of only
two would be needed, but the hourly cost would be $38 per hour, $28 for the workers
and $10 for the forklift. The two workers could unload a truck in 5 minutes. Should
Wayne rent the forklift?
5. Conclusion ? Summary of main points
a. Lessons Learned and Recommendations
6. References ? List the references you cited in the text of your paper according to APA format.
(Note: Do not include references that are not cited in the text of your paper)
[meteor_slideshow slideshow=”arp2″]
A-Research-Paper.com is committed to deliver a custom paper/essay which is 100% original and deliver it within the deadline. Place your custom order with us and experience the different; You are guaranteed; value for your money and a premium paper which meets your expectations, 24/7 customer support and communication with your writer. Order Now
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]