(a) Use three-month moving average and (b) use exponential smoothing with a =0.3, a = 0.6, and a = 0.9 to forecast the battery sales. Assume the forecast for Year I was 10 batteries. Based on the analysis in part (a) and (b), which method moving average or exponential smoothing with a = 0.3, a = 0.6 or a = 0.9 provides the better forecast?Explain!

Graph

Weather Index Battery sales(Millions of Tons)

Year Actual

1 450

2 495

3 518

4 563

5 584

6 ?

Using exponential smoothing with a weight of a = 0.3, a = 0.6 and a weight of a = 0.9, develop forecasts for year 2 through 6. Compare the accuracy of the three forecasts including moving average using MAD and MSE

(c), Briefly describe six situations in which the first in, first-out discipline rule is not applicable in queuing analysis. (d) Describe the major decisions that must be made in inventory control