GM
Hi everyone,
After implementing for the first time the Simulator (in a large logistics company) I can say that I'm impressed with its capabilities.
However, I have a few questions regarding the system - answers will be very much appreciated !
1. Is it possible to define batches for the simulation?
Explanation: we want to create a dependency between activities (functions) and different kinds of resources.
a) Example 1: we want to define in the simulation that if a capacity resource has between 70-100 units, repeat the activity 20 times and if it has between 1-70 units, repeat the activity only once.
b) Example 2: we want to define in the simulation that if the organizational unit has 3 or more available workers, repeat the activity 20 times and if there less than 3 available workers, repeat the activity 10 times.
We don't know of any object/model type that was created specifically to measure batches in our current version (7.2), but is there a way create a batch with the current set of tools?
2. Is it possible to define the various distributions that exist for functions for process instances that we create in Schedule Models? What is the default distribution?
Explanation: we only found an option to define start time distribution for schedule events. We can define for example 60 instances per hour but we don't know how the system distributes those instances and whether it is possible to change the distribution type.
3. Is it possible to create priorities for activities (functions)?
Explanation: we know that there is an option to define priorities in the Simulator, for example for human resources and for events. However, the activities don't have the attribute "priority" - sometimes, after a prioritized event we have many activities and we want to prioritize between them, is it possible to do so without artificially adding an event to each activity?
4. Are human resources' breaks (unscheduled events) calculated in the "utilization" calculation? (The statistic that appears in the human resources results). If the answer is yes, are the breaks included as "processing time" or as "idle time"?
Batch processing: There is currently no sophisticated batch processing in ARIS Business Simulator. There is only a simple feature which lets you control how many (dynamically) waiting process folders should be processed in a row before a resource is allowed to take care of another function. This number can be set by maintaining the function attribute "Processes to be processed".
Distributions for process instantiation: As you have already found out there is only a distribution for the starting times of calendar events. The distribution of instances themselves cannot be changed. If you define a time period for a process instantiator, the instances are distributed randomly across the period.
Priorities for functions: Functions themselves don't have priorities. It's the process folders that carry such a property. (At least for prioritizing work, in contrast to resource prioritization.) And the idea is that process folders get their priorities assigned by passing through events. One could probably add a similar feature to functions, but currently it is only supported by events.
Unscheduled time and resource utilization: The time defined as unscheduled time is not taken into account for the calculation of utilization. Only the time a resource can be available as defined by its scheduled time is used for that. For example, if you define working hours from 9 to 5 and add a break (i.e. unscheduled time) from noon to 1 pm, there are in total 7 hours the resource can work: from 9 am to noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm. If it works these 7 hours, it has a utilization of 100 percent.
