What this method is

Ho-Chang-Solis improved nLPC(i) is a fast ULS heuristic in the Average-cost / net period family. It constructs a feasible replenishment plan without claiming an optimality proof. Use it only when the documented applicability conditions match the instance.

Core idea

The method scans the planning horizon and constructs replenishment cycles according to its published decision rule. The library then reconstructs production, inventory, setups and cost components through the common heuristic solution builder.

using ULSAlgorithms.Abstractions;
using ULSAlgorithms.Models;
using ULSAlgorithms.Heuristics;

var problem = new UlsProblem(
    demands:             [20.0, 30.0, 25.0, 40.0],
    setupCosts:          [200.0, 200.0, 200.0, 200.0],
    unitProductionCosts: [0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
    holdingCosts:        [4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 0.0]);

IUlsSolver solver = new HoChangSolisImprovedNetLeastPeriodCostSolver();
var result = solver.Solve(problem);

Console.WriteLine(result.Status);
Console.WriteLine(result.ObjectiveValue);

The input example intentionally uses stationary, positive-demand data so it is compatible with restricted methods too. Always check the applicability box for your own instance.

Reference & provenance

Ho, Chang & Solis (2006), Two modifications of the least cost per period heuristic for dynamic lot-sizing, Journal of the Operational Research Society 57(8), 1005-1013 · DOI 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602076