Rule-based system application for a technical problem in inventory issue

This paper addresses a marked variation of the classical trim-loss problem. This problem has been dealt with a rule-based approach due to its inherent complexity in the case under consideration. A rule-based model was evolved as the basis for the expert system development. The paper emphasises on th e practical application of a rule-based model for inventory issue procedure in a construction company. Due to the peculiar nature of the problem, issu ing procedures for steel pipes are quite different from the normal inventor y issue practices. Inventory Management procedures which are guided by hist oric practices, rules of thumb and mathematical models were found to be uns uitable for the case under study and hence motivates the use of a "rule-bas ed system" that has evolved from the "expert" knowledge of inventory person nel. The paper provides some of the implementation modules and highlights t he benefits of the rule-based system for the construction company under stu dy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.