Information/communication and dispatching strategies for networks with mobile servers

The dispatch problem for a network with a general number of nonstationary service units is discussed. The possibility of dispatching a service unit to a call for service while the unit is in motion depends on the quality of the information/communication system available. Three information/communication systems are investigated: two extreme cases in which only stationary units can be dispatched from their home location or any unit can be dispatched from anywhere at any time, and an intermediate case. For each of the three systems, the dispatching policy is derived, and the systems are compared on the basis of the expected response time to a random request for service