Decision Support for DCs Location and Distribute Range Planning: Case Study in Asia-Pacific Region

A major concern is to locate manufacturing plants and/or distribution centers to serve the needs of consumers widely and rapidly with reasonably distributive cost and flexible delivery time. The purpose of this research is to help enhance a decision support for three distribution center locations with different ranges of area in order that the distributors are able to serve appropriately the retailers in twelve large cities or capitals of the nine countries in Asia-Pacific region. The researcher applies the theory of supply chain and logistics management systems with Excel, Visual Basic and Genetic Algorithms programs to find the research results. The research results revealed that the interfaces of Excel, Visual Basic, and Genetic Algorithms programs helped decision support in distribution range selection for 3 distribution center locations. Each of which had different ranges of area for distribution with a rapidly, flexibly distributed time. However, variables resulting in a decision-making should be adjusted under certain circumstances for more reliable, specific needs.