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The IMS is a computer program consisting basic ally of a series of routines logically associated with such inventory factors as review period, order point, order quantity, lead time, safety stock level, and forecasting. By properly combining, and sometimes modifying these routines, virtually any inventory control system may be simulated. The major functions of the IMS are summarized as follows: (1) Demands may be either supplied from historical records or synthesized by a demand generator; (2) Forecasting may be done by exponential smoothing or moving average with the option of trend and seasonal corrections; (3) Order point and order quantity calculations may be done either after each transaction or on a periodic basis; (4) Material flow is controlled primarily through use of the on-hand and on-order amount. When material is ordered, the amount is placed in a queue. At the conclusion of the appropriate lead time, this amount is removed from the queue and added to the on-hand quantity; and (5) Policy evaluation is done on an item basis and for a group of items. At the end of each simulation run, a printout is generated showing level of inventory, costs, and service provided.