The Proposal of Stock Items Reconfiguration on the Basis of Cluster Analysis Results

AbstractThe submitted article is focused on the field of distribution logistics with the aim of cluster analysis application as a tool for creation of groups of similar stock items (clusters) leading to speed up the company's reactions on customers’ requirements. When creating the groups (clusters) of stock items by using cluster analysis it is necessary to have information about the process which directly follows. It means that in case of analysis of distribution centre stock items, the input information are the data of product distribution of the previous period or distribution plan for the future period. Changes in distribution play an essential role in clustering that is why it is appropriate to use distribution data from several periods not just one. The output of the process of finished goods stock clustering by using hierarchical methods of cluster analysis is dendrogram. Consequently based on problem solver's subjective opinion the optimal numbers of clusters are selected and are incorporated into the proposal of finished goods warehouse layout reconfiguration. The result of cluster analysis in the form of finished products clusters is possibly applicable in other business processes, for instance production cells creation, raw materials warehouse layout reconfiguration and many others because the criterion of cluster creation are customers’ requirements which is determining criterion in the entire process of customer oriented companies