Propuesta de implementación del modelo de transporte para la optimización de una red logística de distribución en una empresa del sector salud en la ciudad Guayaquil

Abstract

This work was conducted to improve the distribution of medical supplies in a company operating in Guayaquil. In the initial situation, deliveries were planned mostly based on staff experience, which resulted in inefficient routes, variability in service times, and uneven use of the available resources. To address this issue, the study aimed to reduce transportation costs and improve shipment allocation to the delivery points by using the Transportation Model as a decision-support tool. Data on demand per destination, distribution-center capacities, and unit transportation costs derived from distances were collected. A linear transportation model was then formulated and solved using Excel Solver, comparing two alternatives: a centralized operation with a single distribution center and a decentralized operation with three centers. The problem was handled with balanced supply and demand totaling 60 units. The results showed that the three-center structure reduced total transportation costs compared to the centralized scenario while keeping the same demand level, with an estimated proportional decrease of about 58.5%. In addition, the optimized solution assigned each destination to the center with the most favorable cost, leading to a more organized distribution of volumes. Overall, the Transportation Model and Excel Solver helped produce a clearer and more efficient planning approach, supporting better service-level performance.