A decision support system based upon economic order quantities for use in a civil engineering contractor

A decision support model was created based upon the theory of economic order quantities and maximisation of return for the investor. A new model for maximising return on investment is presented which provides more reliable results for low cost, small volume items as typified in the construction maintenance environment. The model was incorporated into the materials purchase system of a civil engineering contractor to guide the selection of order quantities. Estimated savings on the overheads of the purchasing process are presented for sample items.