Inventory trigger control policies developed in terms of control theory

In this article the authors model standard inventory ordering rules in terms of control systems theory. A differential equation is designed describing the development of a system in which an input signal reaching a predefined level triggers an output. The reorder point of inventory control systems may be interpreted as such a level triggering a replenishment. Systems using this kind of control are frequent in a variety of applications. Apart from inventory, domestic heat and pressure control are but two examples.