Project network models with discounted cash flows. A guided tour through recent developments.

The vast majority of the project scheduling methodologies presented in the literature have been developed with the objective of minimizing the project duration subject to precedence and other constraints. In doing so, the financial aspects of project management are largely ignored. Recent efforts have taken into account discounted cash flow and have focused on the maximalization of the net present value (npv) of the project as the more appropriate objective. In this paper we offer a guided tour through the important recent developments in the expanding field of research on deterministic and stochastic project network models with discounted cash flows. Subsequent to a close examination of the rationale behind the npv objective, we offer a taxonomy of the problems studied in the literature and critically review the major contributions. Proper attention is given to npv maximization models for the unconstrained scheduling problem with known cash flows, optimal and suboptimal scheduling procedures with various types of resource constraints, and the problem of determining both the timing and amount of payments.Scheduling; Models; Model; Discounted cash flow; Cash flow; Project scheduling; Project management; Management; Net present value; Value; Problems; Maximization; Optimal;

The Impact of Information Technology(IT) in Trade Facilitation on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka

This paper examine the extent of automation of trade facilitation in Sri Lanka and to assess the impact of automation on SMEs in the country.Impace of Information Techonology, SMEs, Sri Lanka

The 1st International Electronic Conference on Algorithms

This book presents 22 of the accepted presentations at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Algorithms which was held completely online from September 27 to October 10, 2021. It contains 16 proceeding papers as well as 6 extended abstracts. The works presented in the book cover a wide range of fields dealing with the development of algorithms. Many of contributions are related to machine learning, in particular deep learning. Another main focus among the contributions is on problems dealing with graphs and networks, e.g., in connection with evacuation planning problems

A computer graphics approach to logistics strategy modelling

This thesis describes the development and application of a decision support system for logistics strategy modelling. The decision support system that is developed enables the modelling of logistics systems at a strategic level for any country or area in the world. The model runs on IBM PC or compatible computers under DOS (disk operating system). The decision support system uses colour graphics to represent the different physical functions of a logistics system. The graphics of the system is machine independent. The model displays on the screen the map of the area or country which is being considered for logistic planning. The decision support system is hybrid in term of algorithm. It employs optimisation for allocation. The customers are allocated by building a network path from customer to the source points taking into consideration all the production and throughput constraints on factories, distribution depots and transshipment points. The system uses computer graphic visually interactive heuristics to find the best possible location for distribution depots and transshipment points. In a one depot system it gives the optimum solution but where more than one depot is involved, the optimum solution is not guaranteed. The developed model is a cost-driven model. It represents all the logistics system costs in their proper form. Its solution very much depends on the relationship between all the costs. The locations of depots and transshipment points depend on the relationship between inbound and outbound transportation costs. The model has been validated on real world problems, some of which are described here. The advantages of such a decision support system for the formulation of a problem are discussed. Also discussed is the contribution of such an approach at the validation and solution presentation stages

Combinatorial Optimization

This report summarizes the meeting on Combinatorial Optimization where new and promising developments in the field were discussed. Th

Class VIIIA Materiel: What Problems Were Encountered Transiting OIF Air Transshipment Nodes?

Medical cargo (Class VIIIA) is critical to the success of the United States military stationed across the globe; therefore, the military must successfully ship its Class VIIIA materiel to the Warfighter. The shipping and handling of the time and temperature sensitive Class VIIIA materiel is a complex process. Since the initial stages of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) the medical field has complained about Class VIIIA materiel arriving unserviceable to the final destination. Unserviceable materiel includes items that expired over time and items that expired from exposure to temperatures outside of their allowable range. This thesis focused on one possible area of concern, the air transshipment nodes used for OIF. The researcher used interviews to accomplish a case study and answer the research questions. The interviews focused on the training of the personnel handling the materiel at the transshipment nodes and the amount of instruction relating to the materiel the personnel are given while deployed. The results of the interviews showed that training and instruction for handling the temperature sensitive materiel is not an issue. The contributing issues are the mass amount of cargo transiting the transshipment nodes, the lack of airlift, and the lack of storage space with proper capabilities

\u3ci\u3eThe Conference Proceedings of the 2003 Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) World Conference, Volume 5\u3c/i\u3e

UNOAI Report 03-9https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/facultybooks/1126/thumbnail.jp