Performance of a dual service station in stochastic inventory system with multi server and optional feedback service

Abstract

This paper considers a stochastic queueing-inventory system with dual service stations, two groups of heterogeneous multi-servers, two finite waiting halls, and two classes of customers. Station-1 and station-2 provide an inventory sales service and feedback service, respectively. The feedback service option can be given to customers at the service completion epoch. If a customer requires feedback service, moves to an orbit; otherwise, leaves the system permanently. The classical retrial policy is applied to get feedback service. For the replenishment process, the system follows an (S−1,S) base stock ordering policy. This study analyzes the model under four classifications: 1) orbit size is finite and servers have homogeneous service rate; 2) orbit size is finite and servers have heterogeneous service rate; 3) orbit size is infinite and servers have homogeneous service rate; and 4) orbit size is infinite and servers have heterogeneous service rate. The steady-state probability vector for an infinite-size orbit case is computed using the Neuts and Rao truncation method. An expected total cost function is derived with sufficient system indicators for the four classifications. An optimized expected total cost is gained for classifications 2 and 4. The probability that a server is busy, the customer's waiting time, and the customer's loss rate are minimized for classifications 2 and 4.