Fully dynamic reorder policies with deep reinforcement learning for multi-echelon inventory management

Hammler, Patric; Riesterer, Nicolas; Braun, Torsten (2023). Fully dynamic reorder policies with deep reinforcement learning for multi-echelon inventory management. Informatik Spektrum, 46(5-6), pp. 240-251. Springer 10.1007/s00287-023-01556-6

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The operation of inventory systems plays an important role in the success of manufacturing companies, making it a highly relevant domain for optimization. In particular, the domain lends itself to being approached via Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) models due to it requiring sequential reorder decisions based on uncertainty to minimize cost. In this paper, we evaluate state-of-the-art optimization approaches to determine whether Deep Reinforcement Learning can be applied to the multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO) framework in a practically feasible manner to generate fully dynamic reorder policies. We investigate how it performs in comparison to an optimized static reorder policy, how robust it is when it comes to structural changes in the environment, and whether the use of DRL is safe in terms of risk in real-world applications. Our results show promising performance for DRL with potential for improvement in terms of minimizing risky behavior.

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