As indicated previously, Throx orders its product from the Chinese sock manufacturer Zhejiang Datang Hosiery Group Co$.,$ Ltd$.$ In so$-$called $$Sock City.$$ The table below provides examples of sample forecast and booked order information that are similar to what the manufacturer may use to manage its production activity over four successive time periods. Also included for the first three of the four time periods indicated are the planned figures for MPS $($master production schedule$).$

Period $$

Period $1$

Period $2$

Period $3$

Period $4$

Forecasted Demand

$2,250$

$2,100$

$1,900$

$1,750$

Booked Orders

$2,560$

$1,920$

$960$

$1,600$

Projected ending inventory

$$

$$

$$

$0$

Master production schedule

$2,400$

$1,800$

$2,150$

$?$

Assuming a beginning inventory of $800$ stock sets, what is the master production schedule quantity for period $4$ if the manufacturer wants to end period $4$ with $0$ inventory of sock sets?

What are some of the types of information you feel that Throx could provide to the manufacturer to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall production process?