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User’s Guide

Publication ARENAB-UM001G-EN-P–September 2006

Supersedes Publication ARENAB-UM001F-EN-P
ArenaBE.book Page ii Monday, September 11, 2006 12:26 PM

Contact Rockwell Technical Support Telephone — 440-646-5800

Technical Support Fax — 440-646-5801
World Wide Web — www.rockwellautomation.com
Copyright Notice © 2006 Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
This document and any accompanying Rockwell Software products are copyrighted by Rockwell Automation
Technologies, Inc. Any reproduction and/or distribution without prior written consent from Rockwell Automation
Technologies, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Please refer to the license agreement for details.
Trademark Notices Allen-Bradley, Arena, ControlLogix, Datapac, Emonitor, Emonitor Odyssey, Enlab, Enlube, Enpac, Enshare, Entek,
Entrx, Enwatch, eProcedure, FactoryTalk, MotorMonitor, PlantLink, PLC-2, PLC-3, PLC-5, Rockwell Automation,
Rockwell Software, RSLinx, RSView, the Rockwell Software logo, SIMAN, RSTune, VersaView, and XM are
registered trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.

The following logos and products are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.:
RSBizWare, the RSBizWare logo, RSBizWare Batch, FactoryTalk Batch, RSBizWare BatchCampaign, RSBizWare
BatchHistorian, FactoryTalk Historian for Batch, RSBizWare Historian, FactoryTalk Historian, RSBizWare
MaterialTrack, RSBizWare Scheduler, FactoryTalk Scheduler, and RSLoop Optimizer
RSMACC, FactoryTalk AssetCentre, ProcessLogix, RSLogix, PhaseManager, RSLogix Emulate, RSLogix Guard,
RSOPC Gateway, and FactoryTalk Gateway
Advanced Interface (A.I.) Series, A.I. Series, AdvanceDDE, ControlView, Data Highway Plus, DH+, RSView,
FactoryTalk View, RSView Studio, FactoryTalk View Studio, MobileView, PanelBuilder, PanelView, RSView
Machine Edition, RSView ME Station, RSView32, RSView32 Resource Kit, and WINtelligent
FactoryTalk Activation, FactoryTalk Administration Console, FactoryTalk Alarms and Events, FactoryTalk
Automation Platform, FactoryTalk Services Platform, FactoryTalk Audit, FactoryTalk Data Model, FactoryTalk
Diagnostics, FactoryTalk Directory, FactoryTalk Live Data, FactoryTalk Messenger, RSAssetSecurity, FactoryTalk
Security, RSBizWare PlantMetrics, FactoryTalk Metrics, RSSql, FactoryTalk Integrator SE, FactoryTalk
Integrator EE, FactoryTalk Portal, and FactoryTalk Unified Plant Model
Intelligent Advisory, GuardLogix, GuardPLC, MicroLogix, PanelView, RSLinx Classic, RSLinx Enterprise,
RSNetWorx, RSNetWorx for ControlNet, RSNetWorx for DeviceNet, RSNetWorx for EtherNet, RSNetWorx for
EtherNet/IP, SLC 5, SLC 500, and SoftLogix
Propack Data, Propack Data PMX CTM, Propack Data PMX Dispense RDM, Propack Data PMX EBR RDM, Propack
Data PMX Equipment CTM, Propack Data PMX Equipment Management CTM, Propack Data PMX Equipment
Management MES, Propack Data PMX Formulation RDM, Propack Data PMX MES, Propack Data PMX Plan RDM,
Propack Data PMX RDM, Propack Data PMX Warehouse RDM, and Propack Data VISION
Analytical Datamart, Application Solutions, CAPA,Complaint Handling, Dashboard Administrator, Datamart
Administrator, DsShopLib, ECO Manager, Enterprise Administrator, Feeder Verification, ICAPA, Integrate, Integrate
SDK, Integrate Web Service, IntegrateWS, Inventory Control, Knowledge, Knowledge Administrator, Knowledge
Datamart, Line Manager, Manufacturing Dashboard, Operational Data Store, ODS, Plant Operations, Plant Scheduler,
Process Designer, Quality Assurance, RMA Management and Repair, RSAdvantage, Shop Operations, Supplier
Management, Universe Manager, Web-based Reporting Portal, WRP, and WRP Reports
Other Trademarks ActiveX, Microsoft, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual SourceSafe, Windows, Windows
ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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United States and/or other countries.
ControlNet is a registered trademark of ControlNet International.
DeviceNet is a trademark of the Open DeviceNet Vendor Association, Inc. (ODVA)
Ethernet is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel, and Xerox Corporation
OLE for Process Control (OPC) is a registered trademark of the OPC Foundation.
Oracle, SQL*Net, and SQL*Plus are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.
Warranty This product is warranted in accordance with the product license. The product’s performance may be affected by system
configuration, the application being performed, operator control, maintenance and other related factors. Rockwell
Automation is not responsible for these intervening factors. The instructions in this document do not cover all the
details or variations in the equipment, procedure, or process described, nor do they provide directions for meeting every

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possible contingency during installation, operation, or maintenance. This product’s implementation may vary among
users.
This document is current as of the time of release of the product; however, the accompanying software may have
changed since the release. Rockwell Automation, Inc. reserves the right to change any information contained in this
document or the software at anytime without prior notice. It is your responsibility to obtain the most current information
available from Rockwell when installing or using this product.

Version: 11.00.00 (CPR7)

Modified: September 11, 2006 11:31 am

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Contents

1 • Welcome to Arena Basic Edition 1

What is Arena Basic Edition? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Intended audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Where can I go for help? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Reference the user’s guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Explore our examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Get help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Use the SMARTs library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Access the Arena Symbol Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Get phone support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Get Web support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Get training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Get consulting services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Contact us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 • Getting Started 5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Our task: Analyze a home mortgage application process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Arena modeling environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Map your process in a flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Create the mortgage application entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Process the applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Decide whether applications are complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dispose the applications to terminate the process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
What is a module? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Define model data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Initiate mortgage application (Create module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Review application (Process module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
What are entities? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Complete? (Decide module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Accepted, Returned (Dispose module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Mortgage review clerk (Resource module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Prepare for the simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Save the simulation model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Simulate the process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
View simulation reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Enhance the visualization process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Animate the mortgage review clerk resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

How do I use Rulers and Guides? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Plot the number of applications in-process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
What is a model thumbnail? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Rerun the simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Next steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3 • The Basic Process Panel 29

Flowchart modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Create module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Dispose module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Process module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Process module — Resource dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Decide module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Batch module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Separate module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Assign module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Record module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Data modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Entity module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Queue module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Resource module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Variable module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Schedule module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Set module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Calendar schedule information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Time Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Calendar Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Calendar States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

4 • Using Visio and Arena 51

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
The Visio Process Simulation add-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Start a drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Place and connect shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Enter custom properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Add data shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Simulate the process map in Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Check the drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Transfer the drawing to Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Simulate other Visio drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Use Visio and Arena in your organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

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• • • • •
CONTENTS

Distribute the Process Simulation add-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Publish process maps on a Web page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

A • Statistical Distributions 59
Beta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Continuous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Discrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Erlang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Exponential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Gamma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Lognormal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Normal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Poisson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Triangular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Uniform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Weibull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

B • Library Shapes and Symbols 77

Arena .plb picture files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Arena .plb libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Arena Symbol Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
The Symbol Factory application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Index 81

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

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1 Welcome to Arena Basic Edition

1 • Welcome
What is Arena Basic Edition?
Arena Basic Edition software lets you bring the power of modeling and simulation to
business process improvement. It is designed primarily for newcomers to simulation and
serves as an introductory product and foundation to the rest of the Arena product family.
Typically, any process that can be described by means of a flowchart can be simulated
with Arena Basic Edition.
Arena Basic Edition is most effective when analyzing business, service, or simple (non-
material-handling intensive) manufacturing processes or flows.
Typical scenarios include:
„ Documenting, visualizing, and demonstrating the dynamics of a process with
animation
„ Predicting system performance based on key metrics such as costs, throughput, cycle
times, and utilizations
„ Identifying process bottlenecks such as queue build ups and over-utilization of
resources
„ Planning staff, equipment, or material requirements
In addition to the Arena Basic Edition, Rockwell Automation offers a full suite of prod-
ucts to provide enterprise-wide simulation, optimization, and 3D model animation.

Intended audience
The Arena Basic Edition is designed for business consultants, business analysts, and
engineers. It can be widely deployed as a desktop tool and can serve as a natural extension
to those who use various flowcharting packages such as Visio® to document business
processes.
We assume that you are familiar with the basic concepts and terms used in these types of
systems. You are interested in improving business or manufacturing productivity and are
responsible for evaluating and predicting the impact of proposed strategic and tactical
changes to help improve performance. A familiarity with computers and the Microsoft®
Windows® operating system is assumed. A familiarity with the concepts and terms used
in simulation is also helpful.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

Where can I go for help?

Our commitment to your success starts with the suite of learning aids and assistance we
provide for Arena. Whether you’re new to simulation or a seasoned veteran putting a new
tool to use, you’ll quickly feel at home with the Arena Basic Edition.

Reference the user’s guides

The documentation set includes this manual, Arena Basic Edition User’s Guide, which
covers the product basics in an easy, “click-by-click” tutorial for modeling and analyzing
a discrete manufacturing process. In addition, the Variables Guide is a separate reference
booklet providing complete descriptions of Arena variables found in the Arena product
templates.

DOCUMENT CONVENTIONS
Throughout the guides, a number of style conventions are used to help identify material.
New terms and concepts may be emphasized by use of italics or bold; file menu paths are
in bold with a (>) separating the entries (e.g., go to Help > Arena Help); text you are
asked to type is shown in Courier Bold (e.g., in this field, type Work Week), and dialog
box and window button names are shown in bold (e.g., click OK).

Explore our examples

Arena is accompanied by a number of sample models that illustrate many of the com-
monly used approaches for capturing the essence of manufacturing processes. Examples
are provided for both job shop and flow shop environments. For a description of and list
of Arena’s examples, go to Help > Arena Help. On the Contents tab, choose Model
Building Basics, and then select Viewing Arena Example Models.

Get help
Online help is always at your fingertips! Arena incorporates the latest in help features,
including What’s This? help that displays a brief description of fields in dialogs, context-
sensitive help on menu and toolbar buttons, and a help button on each of Arena’s modules.
Just refer to the Arena help table of contents and index for a list of all help topics.

Use the SMARTs library

As you craft models of your own manufacturing processes, use our SMARTs library to
explore how to best use Arena. This suite of tutorial models covers topics ranging from
modeling resources to animation techniques. The library is organized into categories to
help you find the right model with ease. When you’re wondering how to take the next step
in your model, browse the SMARTs library for a ready-made solution. For a list of
categories and their related SMARTS, go to Help > Arena Help. On the Contents tab,
first click Model Building Basics, and then Learning Arena with SMART Files.

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• • • • •
1 • WELCOME TO ARENA BASIC EDITION

Access the Arena Symbol Factory

Arena animations can be enhanced using Arena Symbol Factory’s extensive library of

1 • Welcome
symbols. These symbols can be used for entity, resource, transporter, or global pictures or
as graphic symbols within a model window. You can copy these symbols directly to the
Arena model window, add them to your own libraries (.plb files), or add them to any of
the Arena picture library files.

Get phone support

Rockwell Automation provides full support for the entire Arena family of products.
Questions concerning installation, how modules work, the use of the model editor, and the
use of the software are handled by technical support.

ARENA TECHNICAL SUPPORT INCLUDES:

„ (for users on active maintenance) a technical support hotline and e-mail address
staffed by full-time, experienced professionals
„ help with installation problems or questions related to the software’s requirements
„ troubleshooting
„ limited support regarding the interaction of Arena with other programs
„ support of the Arena Object Model, which is used in Microsoft Visual Basic for
Applications
If you call the support line (1.440.646.5800), you should be at your computer and be
prepared to give the following information:
„ the product serial number
„ the product version number
„ the operating system you are using
„ the exact wording of any messages that appeared on your screen
„ a description of what happened and what you were doing when the problem occurred
„ a description of how you tried to solve the problem

Get Web support

In addition to phone support, the Rockwell Automation Customer Support Center offers
extensive online knowledgebases of tech notes and frequently asked questions for support
of non-urgent issues. These databases are updated daily by our support specialists.
To receive regular e-mail messages with links to the latest tech notes, software updates,
and firmware updates for the products that are of interest to you or to submit an online
support request, register through http://support.rockwellautomation.com/.
And be sure to check the Arena User Zone section of our Web site at www.ArenaSimula-
tion.com. The User Zone links to a peer-to-peer forum on Arena topics and has a link to a

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

download page where you can check for possible software updates (patches). If you can’t
find the answer you need, contact your local representative or Arena technical support.

Get training
Do you need training? Rockwell Automation offers a standard training course comprised
of lecture and hands-on workshops designed to introduce you to the fundamental concepts
of modeling with Arena.
We also offer customized training courses designed to meet your specific needs. These
courses can be held in our offices or yours, and we can accommodate one person or
twenty. You design the course that’s right for you! Simply contact our consulting services
group to discuss how we can help you achieve success in your simulation efforts.

Get consulting services

Rockwell Automation provides expert consulting and turnkey implementation of Arena
Basic Edition and the entire Arena product suite. Please contact our offices for more infor-
mation.

Contact us
We strive to help all of our customers become successful in their manufacturing improve-
ment efforts. Toward this objective, we invite you to contact your local representative or
Rockwell Automation at any time that we may be of service to you.

Support E-mail: [email protected]

Corporate E-mail: [email protected]
Support phone: 1.440.646.5800
URL: www.ArenaSimulation.com
URL: www.rockwellautomation.com

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2 Getting Started
Introduction
While you may not realize it quite yet, you now have the power to transform your
business. Whenever you and others in your organization are wondering “what if…?,” you
can look into the future to find the answer.
With Arena, you can:
Model your processes to define, document, and communicate.

2 • Getting Started
„

„ Simulate the future performance of your system to understand complex relationships

and identify opportunities for improvement.
„ Visualize your operations with dynamic animation graphics.
„ Analyze how your system will perform in its “as-is” configuration and under a myriad
of possible “to-be” alternatives so that you can confidently choose the best way to run
your business.

Our task: Analyze a home mortgage application process

In this chapter, we will examine a simple mortgage application process to illustrate how
you can model, simulate, visualize, and analyze with Arena. To begin, we’ll look at the
process of receiving and reviewing a home mortgage application. We will build the flow-
chart shown below, introducing you to the process of modeling and simulating with
Arena.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

The Arena modeling environment

If Arena is not already running, start it from the Windows Start menu and navigate to
Programs > Rockwell Software > Arena. The Arena modeling environment will open
with a new model window, as shown below.

Model window
flowchart view
Project Bar

Model window
spreadsheet view

To model your process in Arena, you’ll work in three main regions of the application
window. The Project Bar hosts panels with the primary types of objects that you will work
with:
The Project Bar
usually is docked at „ Basic Process panel: Contain the modeling shapes, called modules, that you’ll use to
the left of the Arena define your process.
application window,
but can tear off or „ Reports panel: Contains the reports that are available for displaying results of simula-
dock at another
position like any tion runs.
toolbar.
„ Navigate panel: Allows you to display different views of your model, including
navigating through hierarchical submodels and displaying a model thumbnail.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

In the model window, there are two main regions. The flowchart view will contain all of
your model graphics, including the process flowchart, animation, and other drawing
elements. The lower, spreadsheet view displays model data, such as times, costs, and other
parameters.
As we model the mortgage application process, we’ll work in all three of these regions of
Arena.

Map your process in a flowchart

Let’s start by examining what we’re going to do: Build a flowchart. The word itself—

2 • Getting Started
flowchart—suggests two of the main concepts behind modeling and simulation. We’ll be
building a chart—also referred to as a process map or a model—that describes a flow.
This raises a key question in process modeling: What exactly is it that will flow through
the chart?
We’re modeling the process of reviewing mortgage applications. These mortgage applica-
tions are the items, referred to as entities, that will move through the process steps in our
model. They are the data, whether on paper or in electronic form, that are associated with
our client’s request for a mortgage. As we build the flowchart, it’s helpful to think of the
process from the perspective of the entity (the mortgage application), asking questions like:
„ Where do the mortgage applications enter the process?
„ What happens to them at each step?
„ What resources are needed to complete work?
First, we’ll draw the flowchart representing the mortgage application process. Refer to the
Mortgage Application Process Flowchart (shown previously) so you’ll know what we’ll
be creating.

Create the mortgage application entities

We’ll start the flowchart using a Create module, from the Basic Process panel. This is the
starting point for the flow of entities through the model.
1. Drag the Create module from the Basic Process panel into the model window.
A default name, Create 1, is given to the module when it’s placed. We’ll return later to
provide a more meaningful description as well as some data to support the simulation.

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Every process flow

starts with a
Create module.
When you simulate
the flowchart,
individual entities
will be created
according to timing
information you
supply in the
Create module
properties. After it’s
created, each entity
moves from the
Create module to
the next shape in
the process flow.

Process the applications

If your Create and Next in our flowchart is a Process module that represents the Review Application step.
Process weren’t
connected auto- 1. Be sure that the Create module is selected so that Arena will automatically connect the
matically when you Process to the Create module.
placed the Process,
check the Object > 2. Drag a Process module from the Basic Process panel into the model window, placing
Auto-Connect menu
to verify that it’s it to the right of the Create. Arena will automatically connect the two modules.
checked. If it’s not,
select it to turn on As with the Create, the Process module has a default name that we’ll replace later.
this option.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

2 • Getting Started
Note: If no connection appears between Create and Process, click the Object > Connect menu
item or the Connect toolbar button to draw a connection. Your cursor will change to a cross hair.
Start the connection by clicking the exit point ( ) of the Create module, then click the entry point
( ) of the Process module to complete the connection. If you need to make multiple connec-
tions, simply double-click the Connect button or select Object > Connect twice (the Connect
button will remain depressed to indicate it is in multi-connect mode). Then draw as many connec-
tions as desired. A valid connection target (e.g., entry point, exit point, or operand object) is now
highlighted during a connection session if the pointer is hovered over it. To end the multi-connec-
tion session, click again on the Connect option, press Esc, or right-click.

How do I use Snap and Grid?

If your flowchart shapes aren’t lining up properly, you can use Arena’s snap and grid
features to straighten them out. First, check the Snap option on the View menu so that
newly placed shapes will be positioned at regular snap points. To realign the shapes
you’ve already placed, select the main module shapes (the yellow boxes) by holding the
Ctrl key and clicking on each shape. Then, click the Arrange > Snap to Grid menu
option to adjust their positions to align with grid points.
You can display the grid by checking the Grid option on the View menu. Both snap and
grid are turned off by clicking on the menu option again, turning off the check box.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

Decide whether applications are complete

After the Process, we have a Decide module which determines whether the mortgage
application is complete.
1. If you’re using the Auto-Connect feature (i.e., it’s checked on the Object > Auto-
Connect menu), be sure that the Process module is selected so that the Decide module
will be connected to it.
2. Drag a Decide module to the right of the Process module.

If the mortgage application has a complete set of information, it will leave the Decide
module from the right side of the diamond shape, representing the True condition. Incom-
plete applications (False result to the Decide test) will leave via the bottom connection.

Dispose the applications to terminate the process

Next we’ll place the Dispose module that represents accepted applications, connecting to
the True (right) output from the Decide shape. Then, we’ll complete the flowchart with
another Dispose for returned applications.
1. Select the Decide shape so that our first Dispose will be connected automatically.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

Entity flow always 2. Drag a Dispose module to the right of the Decide module. Arena will connect it to the
begins with a Create primary (True) exit point of the Decide module. (We won’t include a graphic display
module and termi-
nates with a Dispose since you’re now familiar with the drag-and-drop sequence.)
module. You may
have as many of each 3. To add the second Dispose module, once again select the Decide module, so that
of these modules as Arena will automatically connect its False exit point to the new Dispose module, and
you need to generate drag another Dispose module below and to the right of the Decide module.
entities into the model
and to remove them
when their process-
4. Drag and drop another Dispose module, placing it below and to the right of the Decide
ing is complete. shape, completing the process flowchart.

2 • Getting Started
What is a module?
In Arena, modules are the flowchart and data objects that define the process to be
simulated. All information required to simulate a process is stored in modules.
For now, we’re working with flowchart modules—those that are placed in the model
window to describe the process. In the Basic Process panel, these are the first eight
shapes:
„ Create: The start of process flow. Entities enter the simulation here.
„ Dispose: The end of process flow. Entities are removed from the simulation here.
„ Process: An activity, usually performed by one or more resources and requiring some
time to complete.
„ Decide: A branch in process flow. Only one branch is taken.
„ Batch: Collect a number of entities before they can continue processing.
„ Separate: Duplicate entities for concurrent or parallel processing, or separating a
previously established batch of entities.
„ Assign: Change the value of some parameter (during the simulation), such as the
entity’s type or a model variable.
„ Record: Collect a statistic, such as an entity count or cycle time.
Simulation settings are defined in the Run > Setup > Replication Parameters dialog
box. There is also a set of data modules for defining the characteristics of various
process elements, such as resources and queues.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

Define model data

Now that we’ve drawn the basic flowchart for our mortgage application process, let’s
define the data associated with the modules, including the name of the module and infor-
mation that will be used when we simulate the process.

Initiate mortgage application (Create module)

First, let’s visit the Create module, which will be named Initiate Mortgage Application. Its
data will include the type of entity to be created—in our case, a mortgage Application. We
also need to define how often mortgage applications are initiated. We’ll use an average of
2 hours between applicants as a starting point for our model, and we’ll make this a
random activity to represent the natural variation in the timing of mortgage applications
being submitted.
1. Double-click the Create module to open its property dialog box.
2. In the Name field, type Initiate Mortgage Application.

3. For the Entity Type, name our entities by typing Application.

4. Type 2 in the Value field of the Time Between Arrivals section.

5. Click OK to close the dialog box.

For now, we’ll leave the default values for the other Create module properties. Feel free to
explore their purposes through online help or the Entity Arrivals models in the SMARTs
library.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

What are entities?

Entities are the items—customers, documents, parts—that are being served, produced,
or otherwise acted on by your process. In business processes, they often are documents
or electronic records (checks, contracts, applications, purchase orders). In service
systems, entities usually are people (the customers being served in a restaurant,
hospital, airport, etc.). Manufacturing models typically have some kind of part running
through the process, whether it’s raw material, a subcomponent, or finished product.
Other models might have different types of entities, such as data packets in network
analysis or letters and boxes in package-handling facilities.
You may have different types of entities in the same model. For example, customers

2 • Getting Started
moving through a check-in counter at an airport might be separated into regular, first-
class, and priority entity types. In some cases, entity types might be of an altogether
different form rather than classifications of some basic type. For instance, in a pharmacy,
prescriptions would be modeled as entities, running through the process of being filled.
At the same time, customers might be competing for the pharmacist’s attention with
medical inquiries; they would also be modeled as entities.

Review application (Process module)

Remember that as we create the flowchart, we’re looking at the process from the perspec-
tive of the entity. The Create module is a starting point for an entity’s flow through the
system being modeled. Next, in our case, the application will be reviewed for complete-
ness by a Mortgage Review Clerk. Because this will take some amount of time, holding
the entity at this point in the flowchart for a delay and requiring a resource to perform the
activity, we use a Process module. We’ll call this process Review Application.
Appendix A For the time delay, we also want to capture the natural variability that exists in most
describes the processes. Very often, for work done by people or equipment, a triangular distribution
distributions
available in Arena. provides a good approximation. You specify the minimum time in which the work could
be done, the most likely value for the time delay, and the maximum duration of the process.
During the simulation run, each time an entity enters the process, Arena will calculate a
sample from the distribution information you’ve provided—in our case, a triangular
distribution. Over the course of a long simulation run where thousands of individual
samples are taken, the times will follow the profile illustrated next.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

For our Review Application process, we’ll use a minimum time of 1 hour, most likely
value of 1.75 hours, and a maximum of 3 hours. We will assign a resource, the Mortgage
Review Clerk, to perform this process.
1. Double-click the Process module to open its property dialog box.
If more than one
resource is required 2. In the Name field, type Review Application.
for a process to be
performed, add as
many as are
necessary in the
Process dialog’s
Resources list. An
entity won’t
commence its
process delay until 3. To define a resource to perform this process, pull down the Action list and select Seize
all listed resources Delay Release.
are available.

Arriving entities will wait their turn for the resource to be available. When its turn
comes, the entity will seize the resource, delay for the process time, and then release
the resource to do other work.
4. A list of resources will appear in the center of the dialog box. To add a resource for
this process, click Add.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

5. In the Resource Name field of the Resource dialog box, type Mortgage Review
Clerk.

6. Click OK to close the Resource dialog box.

7. Define the process delay parameters in the Minimum, Value (Most Likely), and

2 • Getting Started
Maximum fields as 1, 1.75, and 3. (Note that the default delay type is Triangular and
the default time units are in hours.)

8. Click OK to close the dialog box.

For now, we’ll leave the default values for the other Process module properties. Feel
free to explore their purposes through online help or the Modeling Concepts and
Resources models in the SMARTs library.

Complete? (Decide module)

After the mortgage application has been reviewed, we determine whether to accept or
return the application. In Arena, whenever an entity selects among branches in the process
logic, taking just one of the alternatives, a Decide module is used.
For the mortgage application process, we’ll use a simple probability to determine the
outcome of the decision, with 88% of applications accepted as complete.
When you use a 1. Double-click the Decide module to open its property dialog box.
2-way Decide
module, the entity 2. In the Name field, type Complete?.
that enters the
module leaves via
one of the two exit
points. If you want to
make copies of an
entity to model
parallel processes,
use a Separate
module.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

3. For the Percent True field, type 88 to define the percent of entities that will be treated
with a “True” decision (i.e., will depart through the exit point at the right of the Decide
module).

4. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Accepted, Returned (Dispose module)

In our simple process for reviewing mortgage applications, all the work that we’re
interested in is done. Now, we’ll remove the mortgage applications from the model,
terminating the process with a Dispose module. Because there are two possible outcomes
of the mortgage application process—applications can be accepted or returned—we’re
using two Dispose modules that will count the number of applications under each
outcome.
1. Double-click the first Dispose module (connected to the True condition branch of the
Decide module) to open its property dialog box, and in the Name field, type
Accepted.

2. Click OK to close the dialog box.

3. Double-click the other Dispose module to open its property dialog box. In the Name
field, type Returned.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

4. Click OK to close the dialog box.

2 • Getting Started
Mortgage review clerk (Resource module)
Along with our flowchart, we also can define parameters associated with other elements
of our model, such as resources, entities, queues, etc. For the mortgage process, we’ll
simply define the cost rate for the Mortgage Review Clerk so that our simulation results
will report the cost associated with performing this process. The clerk’s costs are fixed at
$12 per hour.
To provide these parameters to the Arena model, you’ll enter them in the Resources
spreadsheet.
You can edit the 1. In the Basic Process panel, click the Resource icon to display the Resources spread-
fields for any
module using
sheet.
Arena’s spread-
sheet, including 2. Because we defined the Mortgage Review Clerk as the resource in the Review
flowchart modules. Application process, Arena has automatically added a resource with this name in the
Just click on the Resources spreadsheet. Click in the Busy/Hour cell and define the cost rate when the
icon in the Basic
Process panel to clerk is busy by typing 12. Click in the Idle/Hour cell and assign the idle cost rate by
display its typing 12.
spreadsheet.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

Prepare for the simulation

To make the model ready for simulation, we’ll specify general project information and the
duration of the simulation run. Since we’re just testing our first-cut model, we’ll perform
a short, 20-day run.
1. Open the Project Parameters dialog box by using the Run > Setup menu item and
clicking the Project Parameters tab. In the Project Title field, type Mortgage
Review Analysis; we’ll leave the Statistics Collection check boxes as the
defaults, with Entities, Queues, Resources, and Processes checked and we’ll also
check the costing box.
2. Next, click the Replication Parameters tab within the same Run Setup dialog box. In
the Replication Length field, type 20; and in the Time Units field directly to the right
of Replication Length, select days from the drop-down list. Click OK to close the
dialog box.

Save the simulation model

Now that you’ve done some work on your model, it seems like a good time to save it.
Click Save on the Standard toolbar or select the File > Save menu item. Arena will
prompt you for a destination folder and file name. Browse to the target folder in which
you want to save the model (e.g., C:\My Documents) and type a name (e.g., Mortgage
Review) in the file name field.
Arena’s model files store all of the model definition, including the flowchart, other
graphics you’ve drawn, and the module data you entered. When you perform a simulation
run, the results are stored in a database using the same name as the model file.

Simulate the process

With these few, short steps, we are ready to predict the future! The mortgage application
model contains all of the information needed to run the simulation.
Start the simulation run by clicking the Go button or clicking the Run > Go menu item.
Arena first will check to determine whether you’ve defined a valid model, then will
launch the simulation.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

As the simulation progresses, you’ll see small entity pictures resembling pages moving
If Arena displays an among the flowchart shapes. Also, a variety of variables change values as entities are
error message, you
can use the Find
created and processed, as illustrated below.
button in the error
window to locate the
source of the Create: Number of Decide: Number of
problem. You can entities created entities out each branch
change between the
error and model
windows by selecting
them from the
Window menu.

2 • Getting Started
Process: Number of entities
currently in process

Dispose: Number of
entities disposed

If the animation is moving too fast, you can slow it down by adjusting the animation scale
factor. For this, you have the following choices:
The animation scale
factor is the amount „ Open the Run Setup dialog box via the Run > Speed > Animation Speed Factor
of simulated time
between successive
menu item and enter a smaller value (e.g., 0.005) for the scale factor; or
screen updates.
Smaller values
„ Use the less-than (<) key during the run to decrease the scale factor by 20%. Be sure
provide smoother, that the model window is active—not the Navigate panel—or > and < won’t take
slower animation. effect. Pressing < repeatedly is an easy way to fine tune the animation speed. The
greater-than (>) key speeds up animation by 20%.
„ Use the slider bar in the main toolbar. Move the slider to the left to slow down the ani-
mation; move the slider to the right to speed up the animation..
If the run finishes
before you have a To pause the simulation, click the Pause button or press the Esc key. With the automatic
chance to explore flowchart animation, you can see how many entities have been created, are currently in
these controls,
answer No when the Review Application process, have left each branch of our Decide module, and have
you’re asked if you left the model at each of our terminating Dispose modules. These variables can be helpful
want to view the
results. Then click
in verifying the model. For example, if the probability in the Decide shape was entered
Start Over on the incorrectly (e.g., if you typed 12—the rejection probability—instead of 88), the variables
Run toolbar to begn would show that many more applications were leaving the Returned branch.
the run again.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

You also can step through the simulation one event at a time. Pause the simulation, then
click the Step button or press the F10 key. Each time you step the simulation, an entity is
moved through the flowchart. Usually, you’ll see animation of the entity’s movement,
though sometimes no visual change will take place (e.g., when the next event is creating a
new entity). When this occurs, just step again to move forward to the next event.

View simulation reports

After you’ve watched some of the animated flowchart, you can quickly run to the end of
the simulation to view reports. Pause the simulation, then click the Fast Forward button
to run the simulation without updating the animation.
At the end of the run, Arena will ask whether you’d like to view reports. Click Yes, and
the default report (the Category Overview Report) will be displayed in a report window,
as shown below.

Each of Arena’s
reports is
displayed in its
own window within
the Arena
application. You
can use the
standard
window options
(maximize,
minimize, etc.) by
clicking on the
window control
buttons or by
pulling down the
window menu.

On the left side of each report window is a tree listing the types of information available in
the report. The project name (in our case, Mortgage Review) is listed at the top of the tree,
followed by an entry for each category of data. This report summarizes the results across
all replications (although, in this model, we have only one replication). Other reports
provide detail for each replication.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

By clicking on the entries inside the category sections, you can view various types of
results from the simulation run. The following table illustrates some of the questions you
could answer from the Category Overview Report on our simple mortgage application
process simulation.

Question Report Section Answer

On average, how long did mortgage Total Time (Entity), Average 16.51 hrs
applications spend in the modeled column
process?

2 • Getting Started
What was the average cost of reviewing Total Cost (Entity), Average $22.99
a mortgage application? column
What was the longest time an application Total Time (Process), Maximum 33.45 hrs
spent in review? column
What was the maximum number of Number Waiting (Queue), 21 applications
applications waiting for review? Maximum column
What proportion of time was the Utilization (Resource), Average 97%
Mortgage Review Clerk busy? column

After you’ve browsed the Category Overview Report, you can close it by clicking on the
window icon to the left of the File menu and clicking Close. You can look at other reports
by clicking on their icons in the Project Bar. Each report will be displayed in its own win-
dow. To return to the model window, close all of the report windows or select the model
file from the Window menu.
After you have viewed the reports and returned to the model window, end the Arena run
session by clicking the End button.

Enhance the visualization process

Now that we’ve completed the basic steps for analyzing the mortgage application process,
we can return to our model and embellish the graphical animation to gain further insight
into the process dynamics. Animation also can be of great benefit in enticing others in the
organization to be interested in process improvement.
We’ll add two animation components to the mortgage model. First, we’ll show our
Mortgage Review Clerk working at a desk, either busy or idle. To gain a better sense of
how many applications are waiting in the Review Application process over time, we’ll
also add a dynamic plot of the work-in-process (WIP) simulation variable. Our Arena
model will appear as shown below after we add these two objects.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

Note: You can toggle between the split view (flowchart and spreadsheet) and a full-screen view
of either area by clicking the Split Screen toolbar button or selecting the View > Split Screen
menu item. When in full-screen view, clicking the icons on the Basic Process panel displays the
appropriate view (flowchart for flowchart modules and spreadsheet for data-only modules).

Mortgage Review
Clerk resource

Work-in-Process plot

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

Animate the mortgage review clerk resource

During the simulation run, our Mortgage Review Clerk resource can be in one of two
states. If no mortgage application entity is in-process, then the resource is idle. We’ll use a
picture of a person sitting at a desk to depict idleness. When an entity seizes the resource,
the Mortgage Review Clerk’s state is changed to busy, in which case our picture will show
the person reviewing a document.
1. Click the Resource button on the Animate toolbar.
2. The Resource Placement dialog box appears. Select the Mortgage Review Clerk
from the drop-down list in the Identifier field so that this object animates the

2 • Getting Started
Mortgage Review Clerk.
3. Open the Workers picture library by clicking the Open button, then browsing to the
Workers.plb file in the Arena application folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Rockwell
Software\Arena) and double-clicking on it.
4. To change the idle picture:
‡ Click the Idle button in the table on the left.
‡ Select from the picture library table on the right the picture of the worker sitting
down.
‡ Click the Transfer button between the tables to use the worker picture for the Idle
resource state.
5. To change the busy picture:
‡ Click the Busy button in the table on the left.
‡ Select from the picture library table on the right the picture of the worker reading a
document.
‡ Click the Transfer button between the tables to use the selected picture when the
Mortgage Review Clerk is busy.
6. Click OK to close the dialog box. (All other fields can be left with their default values.)
7. The cursor will appear as a cross hair. Move it to the model window and click to place
the Mortgage Review Clerk resource animation picture.

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8. If you’d like to have the clerk appear a bit larger, select the picture and use the resize
handles to enlarge it.

How do I use Rulers and Guides?

Rulers

Guides

Glue to Guides

Selecting the Rulers command on the View menu toggles horizontal and vertical rulers
at the top and left edges of each drawing window. The ruler labels display the (+/-) dis-
tance from the origin in Arena world units. The spacing between the ruler labels is based
on the snap spacing, with the labels rounded to the nearest snap point if Snap to Grid is
enabled.
When the Guides command (View menu) is activated, you may add guides into the
application window to aid in positioning shapes precisely. You may either drag them from
the horizontal or vertical ruler edges independently or drag them simultaneously from the
origin corner. If you select a guide, you may drag it to a new position, or you may remove
it by pressing Delete.
Activating the Glue to Guides command (View menu) allows you to drag a shape (mod-
ule or drawing object) to a guide until the shape selection handle turns red (as shown in
the circled callout of the example), which indicates that the shape is “glued” to the guide.
The guide may then be dragged to a new location and all shapes glued to the guide will
maintain their alignment and will move with the guide.

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• • • • •
2 • GETTING STARTED

Plot the number of applications in-process

Our second animation enhancement is a plot of how many mortgage applications are
under review as the simulation progresses. This will give us a sense of the dynamics of the
workload, which can vary quite a bit when the random nature of processes is incorporated
into a simulated model.
1. Click the Plot button on the Animate toolbar.
2. The Plot dialog box appears. We’ll plot a single expression, the work-in-process
(WIP) at the Review Application process. To add the expression, click Add.

2 • Getting Started
3. In the Plot Expression dialog box that appears, right-click in the Expression field to
You can plot many
expressions on the open the Expression Builder.
same set of axes by
adding multiple 4. We want to plot the number of entities in our Review Application process over time.
expressions in the Select Review Application from the drop-down list in the Process Name field, then
Plot dialog. Each can choose WIP from the Information drop-down list. Click OK to close the Expression
be color-coded so
that you can readily Editor.
compare data such
as workloads in 5. From our reports in the earlier simulation run, we noted that the maximum number of
processes, waiting applications in the process was 9. Let’s set our plot Maximum value to 10.
customers, etc.
6. In the History Points field, type 5000, which will plot the most recent 5000 values of
the variable during the simulation run. Click OK to close the Plot Expression dialog
box. Note that Arena places the formula (Review Application.WIP) in the Plot
Expression field.
7. To complete the plot definition, change the Time Range to 480. Our plot’s horizontal
axis will represent 480 hours (20 days) of simulated time, matching our run length.
Click OK to close the Plot dialog box.
8. The cursor changes to a cross hair. Draw the plot in the model window by clicking to
locate each of the two opposite corners (e.g., the top-left and bottom-right corners),
placing the plot below the flowchart and to the right of the resource.

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With the edits complete, you may want to save them by clicking Save or pressing Ctrl+S.

What is a model thumbnail?

The Navigate panel on the Project Bar provides a model navigation tree for maneuvering
through the different named views and hierarchical levels defined in the model. Included
as part of the Navigate panel is a model thumbnail that helps users orient and change the
current view within the active drawing window.
The thumbnail displays the world space of the current drawing window. A colored,
translucent rectangle represents the current view's boundaries. Dragging the rectangle in
the thumbnail moves the drawing window's current view left, right, up, or down; however,
the rectangle may not be dragged outside the boundaries of the world space.
You may also re-center the rectangle, and thus the world space, or change the level of
zoom. For details on model thumbnail, see the Navigate Panel topic in online help.

Rerun the simulation

Now that we’ve made our animation more interesting and valuable, let’s run the simula-
tion again. Because we didn’t change any of the process parameters (i.e., data in the
modules), the simulation will provide the same results.
Click Run (or press the F5 key) to start the simulation. As the simulation progresses,
you’ll notice the Mortgage Review Clerk’s picture change from idle (sitting at the desk) to
busy (reading a document) and back again, as mortgage application entities move through
the Review Application process.
The plot shows some significant peaks in the number of applications that are under review,
caused by the combination of the variation in the time between arrivals of applications
(defined in the Create module) and the time to process applications (Process module).

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2 • GETTING STARTED

Next steps
You’ve succeeded in modeling, simulating, visualizing, and analyzing a simple mortgage
application process. To further explore Arena’s capabilities, try solving a few of these
extensions to the process.
1. Add a screening process before the application is reviewed.
Applications can be screened in as little as 15 minutes. Most often, it takes about 25
minutes for the screening, though sometimes it can require as much as 45 minutes.
Assign a Receptionist (rate of $6.75/hour) to perform the screening. What proportion
of the Receptionist’s time will be used in this task?

2 • Getting Started
2. Return some applications to the mortgage applicants after the screening process.
On completion of the screening, 8% of the applications are returned. Also, because
many of the deficient applications are caught in the new screening, the percentage of
applications that are accepted in the formal review is raised from 88% to 94%, and the
Mortgage Review process time is reduced by 10%. By how much did the cost of
reviewing an application change? How about the total time to review applications?

To view completed Arena models for the main tutorial and these two extensions, browse
to the Examples folder and open Mortgage Applications.doe, Mortgage Extension 1.doe,
and Mortgage Extension 2.doe.

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3 The Basic Process Panel

This chapter describes the flowchart and data modules that you’ll use to model your
process. Additionally, this chapter includes example uses of each module.

Flowchart modules
Flowchart modules are the set of objects that are placed in the model window to describe
the simulation process.

Create module
DESCRIPTION
This module is intended as the starting point for entities in a simulation model. Entities are
created using a schedule or based on a time between arrivals. Entities then leave the
module to begin processing through the system. The entity type is specified in this module.

TYPICAL USES

3 • Basic Process Panel

Number of entities
created „ The start of a part’s production in a manufacturing line
„ A document’s arrival (e.g., order, check, application) into a business process
„ A customer’s arrival at a service process (e.g., retail store, restaurant, information
desk)

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.
Entity Type Name of the entity type to be generated.
Type Type of arrival stream to be generated. Types include Random (uses an
exponential distribution, user specifies mean), Schedule (uses an
exponential distribution, mean determined from the specified Schedule
module), Constant (user specifies constant value; e.g., 100), or
Expression (drop-down list of various distributions).
Value Determines the mean of the exponential distribution (if Random is used)
or the constant value (if Constant is used) for the time between arrivals.
Applies only when Type is Random or Constant.
Schedule Name Identifies the name of the schedule to be used. The schedule defines the
arrival pattern for entities arriving to the system. Applies only when
Type is Schedule.

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Prompt Description
Expression Any distribution or value specifying the time between arrivals. Applies
only when Type is Expression.
Units Time units used for interarrival and first creation times. Does not apply
when Type is Schedule.
Entities per Arrival Number of entities that will enter the system at a given time with each
arrival.
Max Arrivals Maximum number of entities that this module will generate. When this
value is reached, the creation of new entities by this module ceases.
First Creation Starting time for the first entity to arrive into the system. Does not apply
when Type is Schedule.

Dispose module
DESCRIPTION
This module is intended as the ending point for entities in a simulation model. Entity
statistics may be recorded before the entity is disposed.

TYPICAL USES
„ Parts leaving the modeled facility
Number of entities
that have been „ The termination of a business process
disposed „ Customers departing the store

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.
Record Entity Statistics Determines whether or not the incoming entity’s statistics will be
recorded. Statistics include value-added time, non-value-added time,
wait time, transfer time, other time, total time, value-added cost, non-
value-added cost, wait cost, transfer cost, other cost, and total cost.

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Process module
DESCRIPTION
Indicator of a This module is intended as the main processing method in the simulation. Options for
submodel process seizing and releasing resource constraints are available. Additionally, there is the option to
use a “submodel” and specify hierarchical user-defined logic. The process time is allo-
cated to the entity and may be considered to be value added, non-value added, transfer,
wait, or other. The associated cost will be added to the appropriate category.

TYPICAL USES
„ Machining a part
„ Reviewing a document for completeness
Number of entities
currently in process „ Fulfilling orders
„ Serving a customer

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.

3 • Basic Process Panel

Type Method of specifying logic within the module. Standard processing
signifies that all logic will be stored within the Process module and
defined by a particular Action. Submodel indicates that the logic will be
hierarchically defined in a “submodel” that can include any number of
logic modules.
Action Type of processing that will occur within the module. Delay simply
indicates that a process delay will be incurred with no resource
constraints. Seize Delay indicates that a resource(s) will be allocated in
this module and delay will occur, but that resource release will occur at a
later time. Seize Delay Release indicates that a resource(s) will be
allocated followed by a process delay and then the allocated resource(s)
will be released. Delay Release indicates that a resource(s) has
previously been allocated and that the entity will simply delay and
release the specified resource(s). Applies only when Type is Standard.
Priority Priority value of the entity waiting at this module for the resource(s)
specified if one or more entities are waiting for the same resource(s)
anywhere in the model. Not visible when Action is Delay or Delay
Release or when Type is Submodel.
Resources Lists the resources or resource sets used for entity processing. Does not
apply when Action is Delay, or when Type is Submodel.

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Prompt Description
Delay Type Type of distribution or method of specifying the delay parameters.
Constant and Expression require single values, while Normal,
Uniform, and Triangular require several parameters.
Units Time units for delay parameters.
Allocation Determines how the processing time and process costs will be allocated
to the entity. The process may be considered to be Value Added, Non-
Value Added, Transfer, Wait, or Other and the associated cost will be
added to the appropriate category for the entity and process.
Minimum Parameter field for specifying the minimum value for either a uniform or
triangular distribution.
Value Parameter field for specifying the mean for a normal distribution, the
value for a constant time delay, or the mode for a triangular distribution.
Maximum Parameter field for specifying the maximum value for either a uniform
or triangular distribution.
Std Dev Parameter field for specifying the standard deviation for a normal
distribution.
Expression Parameter field for specifying an expression whose value is evaluated
and used for the processing time delay.
Report Statistics Specifies whether or not statistics will be automatically collected and
stored in the report database for this process.

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Process module — Resource dialog

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Type Specification of a particular resource, or selecting from a pool of
resources (i.e., a resource set).
Resource Name Name of the resource that will be seized and/or released. Applies only
when Type is Resource.
Set Name Name of the resource set from which a member will be seized and/or
released. Applies only when Type is Set
Quantity Number of resources of a given name or from a given set that will be
seized/released. For sets, this value specifies only the number of a
selected resource that will be seized/released (based on the resource’s
capacity), not the number of members of a set to be seized/released.
Selection Rule Method of selecting among available resources in a set. Cyclical will
cycle through available members (e.g., 1st member–2nd member–3rd
member–1st member–2nd member–3rd member). Random will

3 • Basic Process Panel

randomly select a member. Preferred Order will always select the first
available member (1st member, if available; then 2nd member, if
available; then 3rd member, etc.). Specific Member requires an input
attribute value to specify which member of the set (previously saved in
the Save Attribute field). Largest Remaining Capacity and Smallest
Number Busy are used for resources with multiple capacity. Applies
only when Type is Set.
Save Attribute Attribute name used to save the index number into the set of the member
that is selected. This attribute can later be referenced with the Specific
Member selection rule. Does not apply when Selection Rule is Specific
Member. If Action is specified as Delay Release, the value specified
defines which member (the index number) of the set to be released. If no
attribute is specified, the entity will release the member of the set that
was last seized.
Set Index The index number into the set of the member requested. Applies only
when Selection Rule is Specific Member. If Action is specified as Delay
Release, the value specified defines which member (the index number)
of the set is to be released.

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Decide module
DESCRIPTION
Number of entities This module allows for decision-making processes in the system. It includes options to
that have taken the make decisions based on one or more conditions (e.g., if entity type is Gold Card) or
True branch
based on one or more probabilities (e.g., 75%, true; 25%, false). Conditions can be based
on attribute values (e.g., Priority), variable values (e.g., Number Denied), the entity type,
or an expression (e.g., NQ(ProcessA.Queue)).
There are two exit points out of the Decide module when its specified type is either 2-way
Chance or 2-way Condition. There is one exit point for “true” entities and one for “false”
entities. When the N-way Chance or Condition type is specified, multiple exit points are
shown for each condition or probability and a single “else” exit. The number of entities
Number of entities that exit from each type (true/false) is displayed for 2-way Chance or Condition modules
that have taken the only.
False branch
TYPICAL USES
„ Dispatching a faulty part for rework
„ Branching accepted vs. rejected checks
„ Sending priority customers to a dedicated process

PROMPTS
Prompt Description

Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.

Type Indicates whether the decision is based on a condition (if X>Y) or by
chance/percentage (e.g., 60%, yes; 40%, no). The type can be specified
as either 2-way or N-way. 2-way allows for one condition or probability
(plus the “false” exit). N-way allows for any number of conditions or
probabilities to be specified as well as an “else” exit.
Conditions Defines one or more conditions used to direct entities to different
modules. Applies only when Type is N-way by Condition.
Percentages Defines one or more percentages used to direct entities to different
modules. Applies only when Type is N-way by Chance.
Percent True Value that will be checked to determine the percentage of entities sent
out a given True exit.
If Types of conditions that are available for evaluation: Variable, Variable
Array (1D), Variable Array (2D), Attribute, Entity Type, Expression.

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Prompt Description

Named Specifies either the name of the variable, attribute, orentity type that will
be evaluated when an entity enters the module. Does not apply when
Type is Expression.
Is Evaluator for the condition. Applies only to Attribute and Variable
conditions.
Row Specifies the row index for a variable array. Applies only when Type is
N-way by Condition or 2-way by Condition and Variable is Array 1-D or
Array 2-D.
Column Specifies the column index for a variable array. Applies only when Type
is N-way by Condition or 2-way by Condition and Variable is Array 1-D
or Array 2-D.
Value Expression that will be either compared to an attribute or variable or that
will be evaluated as a single expression to determine if it is true or false.
Does not apply to Entity Type condition. If Type is Expression, this
value must also include the evaluator (e.g., Color<>Red).

3 • Basic Process Panel

Batch module
DESCRIPTION
This module is intended as the grouping mechanism within the simulation model. Batches
can be permanently or temporarily grouped. Temporary batches must later be split using
the Separate module.
Batches may be made with any specified number of entering entities or may be matched
together based on an attribute. Entities arriving at the Batch module are placed in a queue
Number of entities until the required number of entities has accumulated. Once accumulated, a new represen-
waiting to be tative entity is created.
batched
TYPICAL USES
„ Collect a number of parts before starting processing
„ Reassemble previously separated copies of a form
„ Bring together a patient and his record before commencing an appointment

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PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.
Type Method of batching entities together.
Batch Size Number of entities to be batched.
Save Criterion Method for assigning representative entity’s user-defined attribute
values.
Rule Determines how incoming entities will be batched. Any Entity will take
the first “Batch Size” number of entities and put them together. By
Attribute signifies that the values of the specified attribute must match
for entities to be grouped. For example, if Attribute Name is Color, all
entities must have the same Color value to be grouped; otherwise, they
will wait at the module for additional incoming entities.
Attribute Name Name of the attribute whose value must match the value of the other
incoming entities in order for a group to be made. Applies only when
Rule is By Attribute.
Representative Entity The entity type for the representative entity.

Separate module
DESCRIPTION
The original leaves This module can be used to either copy an incoming entity into multiple entities or to split
on this branch a previously batched entity. Rules for allocating costs and times to the duplicate are also
specified. Rules for attribute assignment to member entities are specified as well.
When splitting existing batches, the temporary representative entity that was formed is
disposed and the original entities that formed the group are recovered. The entities pro-
ceed sequentially from the module in the same order in which they originally were added
to the batch.
Duplicates leave on
this branch When duplicating entities, the specified number of copies is made and sent from the
module. The original incoming entity also leaves the module.

TYPICAL USES
„ Send individual entities to represent boxes removed from a container
„ Send an order both to fulfillment and billing for parallel processing
„ Separate a previously batched set of documents

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PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.
Type Method of separating the incoming entity. Duplicate Original will
simply take the original entity and make some number of identical
duplicates. Split Existing Batch requires that the incoming entity be a
temporarily batched entity using the Batch module. The original entities
from the batch will be split.
Percent Cost to Allocation of costs and times of the incoming entity to the outgoing
Duplicates duplicates. This value is specified as a percentage of the original entity’s
costs and times (between 0-100). The percentage specified will be split
evenly between the duplicates, while the original entity will retain any
remaining cost/time percentage. Visible only when Type is Duplicate
Original.
# of Duplicates Number of outgoing entities that will leave the module, in addition to the
original incoming entity. Applies only when Type is Duplicate Original.
Member Attributes Method of determining how to assign the representative entity attribute

3 • Basic Process Panel

values to the original entities.These options relate to six of the special-
purpose attributes (Entity.Type, Entity.Picture, Entity.Sequence,
Entity.Station, Entity.Jobstep, and Entity.HoldCostRate) and all user-
defined attributes. Applies only when Type is Split Existing Batch.
Attribute Name Name of representative entity attribute(s) that are assigned to original
entities of the group. Applies only when Member Attributes is Take
Specific Representative Values.

Assign module
DESCRIPTION
This module is used for assigning new values to variables, entity attributes, entity types,
entity pictures, or other system variables. Multiple assignments can be made with a single
Assign module.

TYPICAL USES
„ Accumulate the number of subassemblies added to a part
„ Change an entity’s type to represent the customer copy of a multi-page form
„ Establish a customer’s priority

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PROMPTS
Prompt Description

Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.

Assignments Specifies the one or more assignments that will be made when an entity
executes the module.
Type Type of assignment to be made. Other can include system variables,
such as resource capacity or simulation end time.
Variable Name Name of the variable that will be assigned a new value when an entity
enters the module. Applies only when Type is Variable, Variable Array
(1D), or Variable Array (2D).
Row Specifies the row index for a variable array.
Column Specifies the column index for a variable array.
Attribute Name Name of the entity attribute that will be assigned a new value when the
entity enters the module. Applies only when Type is Attribute.
Entity Type New entity type that will be assigned to the entity when the entity enters
the module. Applies only when Type is Entity Type.
Entity Picture New entity picture that will be assigned to the entity when the entity
enters the module. Applies only when Type is Entity Picture.
Other Identifies the special system variable that will be assigned a new value
when an entity enters the module. Applies only when Type is Other.
New Value Assignment value of the attribute, variable, or other system variable.
Does not apply when Type is Entity Type or Entity Picture.

Record module
DESCRIPTION
This module is used to collect statistics in the simulation model. Various types of observa-
tional statistics are available, including time between exits through the module, entity
statistics (time, costing, etc.), general observations, and interval statistics (from some time
stamp to the current simulation time). A count type of statistic is available as well. Tally
and Counter sets can also be specified.

TYPICAL USES
„ Collect the number of jobs completed each hour
„ Count how many orders have been late being fulfilled
„ Record the time spent by priority customers in the main check-out line

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3 • THE BASIC PROCESS PANEL

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name Unique module identifier displayed on the module shape.
Type Type of observational (tally) or count statistic to be generated. Count
will increase or decrease the value of the named statistic by the specified
value. Entity Statistics will generate general entity statistics, such as
time and costing/duration information. Time Interval will calculate and
record the difference between a specified attribute’s value and current
simulation time. Time Between will track and record the time between
entities entering the module. Expression will record the value of the
specified expression.
Attribute Name Name of the attribute whose value will be used for the interval statistics.
Applies only when Type is Interval.
Value Value that will be recorded to the observational statistic when Type is
Expression or added to the counter when Type is Count.
Tally Name This field defines the symbol name of the tally into which the observa-
tion is to be recorded. Applies only when Type is Time Interval, Time

3 • Basic Process Panel

Between, or Expression.
Counter This field defines the symbol name of the counter to Name increment/
decrement. Applies only when Type is Counter.
Record into Set Check box to specify whether or not a tally or counter set will be used.
Tally Set Name Name of the tally set that will be used to record the observational-type
statistic. Applies only when Type is Time Interval, Time Between, or
Expression.
Counter Set Name Name of the counter set that will be used to record the count-type
statistic. Applies only when Type is Count.
Set Index Index into the tally or counter set.

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Data modules
Data modules are the set of objects in the spreadsheet view of the model that define the
characteristics of various process elements, such as resources and queues.

Entity module
DESCRIPTION
This data module defines the various entity types and their initial picture values in a
simulation. Initial costing information and holding costs are also defined for the entity.

TYPICAL USES
„ Items being produced or assembled (parts, pallets)
„ Documents (forms, e-mails, faxes, reports)
„ People moving through a process (customers, callers)

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Entity Type The name of the entity type being defined. This name must be unique.
Initial Picture Graphical representation of the entity at the start of the simulation. This
value can be changed during the simulation using the Assign module.
Holding Cost/Hour Hourly cost of processing the entity through the system. This cost is
incurred when the entity is anywhere in the system.
Initial VA Cost Initial cost value that will be assigned to the value-added cost attribute
of the entity. This attribute accrues the costs incurred when an entity is
spending time in a value-added activity.
Initial NVA Cost Initial cost value that will be assigned to the non-value-added cost
attribute of the entity. This attribute accrues the costs incurred when an
entity is spending time in a non-value-added activity.
Initial Waiting Cost Initial cost value that will be assigned to the waiting-cost attribute of the
entity. This attribute accrues the costs incurred when an entity is
spending time in a wait activity; e.g., waiting to be batched or waiting
for resource(s) at a Process module.
Initial Transfer Cost Initial cost value that will be assigned to the transfer cost attribute of the
entity. This attribute accrues the costs incurred when an entity is
spending time in a transfer activity.

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3 • THE BASIC PROCESS PANEL

Prompt Description
Initial Other Cost Initial cost value that will be assigned to the other cost attribute of the
entity. This attribute accrues the costs incurred when an entity is
spending time in an other activity.
Report Statistics Specifies whether or not statistics will be collected automatically and
stored in the report database for this entity type.

Queue module
DESCRIPTION
This data module may be utilized to change the ranking rule for a specified queue. The
default ranking rule for all queues is First In, First Out unless otherwise specified in this
module. There is an additional field that allows the queue to be defined as shared.

TYPICAL USES

3 • Basic Process Panel

„ Stack of work waiting for a resource at a Process module
„ Holding area for documents waiting to be collated at a Batch module

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name The name of the queue whose characteristics are being defined. This
name must be unique.
Type Ranking rule for the queue, which can be based on an attribute. Types
include First In, First Out; Last In, First Out; Lowest Attribute
Value (first); and Highest Attribute Value (first). A low attribute value
would be 0 or 1, while a high value may be 200 or 300.
Attribute Name Attribute that will be evaluated for the Lowest Attribute Value or High-
est Attribute Value types. Entities with lowest or highest values of the
attribute will be ranked first in the queue, with ties being broken using
the First In, First Out rule.
Shared Check box that determines whether a specific queue is used in multiple
places within the simulation model. Shared queues can only be used for
seizing resources (e.g., with the Seize module from the Advanced
Process panel).
Report Statistics Specifies whether or not statistics will be collected automatically and
stored in the report database for this queue.

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Resource module
DESCRIPTION
This data module defines the resources in the simulation system, including costing infor-
mation and resource availability. Resources may have a fixed capacity that does not vary
over the simulation run or may operate based on a schedule. Resource failures and states
can also be specified in this module.

TYPICAL USES
„ Equipment (machinery, cash register, phone line)
„ People (clerical, order processing, sales clerks, operators)

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name The name of the resource whose characteristics are being defined. This
name must be unique.
Type Method for determining the capacity for a resource. Fixed Capacity will
not change during the simulation run. Based on Schedule signifies that
a Schedule module is used to specify the capacity and duration informa-
tion for the resource.
Capacity Number of resource units of a given name that are available to the
system for processing. Applies only when Type is Fixed Capacity.
Schedule Name Identifies the name of the schedule to be used by the resource. The
schedule defines the capacity of a resource for a given period of time.
Applies only when Type is Schedule.
Schedule Rule Dictates when the actual capacity change is to occur when a decrease in
capacity is required for a busy resource unit. Applies only when Type is
Schedule.
Busy/Hour Cost per hour of a resource that is processing an entity. The resource
becomes busy when it is originally allocated to an entity and becomes
idle when it is released. During the time when it is busy, cost will
accumulate based on the busy/hour cost. The busy cost per hour is
automatically converted to the appropriate base time unit specified
within the Replication Parameters page of the Run > Setup menu item.
Idle/Hour Cost per hour of a resource that is idle. The resource is idle while it is not
processing an entity. During the time when it is idle, cost will
accumulate based on the idle/hour cost. The idle cost per hour is
automatically converted to the appropriate base time unit specified
within the Replication Parameters page of the Run > Setup menu item.

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Prompt Description
Per Use Cost of a resource on a usage basis, regardless of the time for which it is
used. Each time the resource is allocated to an entity, it will incur a per-
use cost.
StateSet Name Name of states that the resource may be assigned during the simulation
run.
Initial State Initial state of a resource. If specified, the name must be defined within
the repeat group of state names. This field is shown only when a StateSet
Name is defined.
Failures Lists all failures that will be associated with the resource.
„ Failure Name–Name of the failure associated with the resource.
„ Failure Rule–Behavior that should occur when a failure is to occur for
a busy resource unit.
Report Statistics Specifies whether or not statistics will be collected automatically and
stored in the report database for this resource.

3 • Basic Process Panel

Variable module
DESCRIPTION
This data module is used to define a variable’s dimension and initial value(s). Variables
can be referenced in other modules (e.g., the Decide module), can be reassigned a new
value with the Assign module, and can be used in any expression.
There are three methods for manually editing the Initial Values of a Variable module:
„ Via the standard spreadsheet interface. In the module spreadsheet, right-click on
the Initial Values cell and select the Edit via spreadsheet menu item. The values
for two-dimensional arrays should be entered one column at a time. Array
elements not explicitly assigned are assumed to have the last entered value.
„ Via the module dialog box. In the module spreadsheet, right-click on any cell and
select the Edit via dialog menu item. The values for two-dimensional arrays
should be entered one column at a time. Array elements not explicitly assigned are
assumed to have the last entered value.
„ Via the two-dimensional (2-D) spreadsheet interface. In the module spreadsheet,
click on the Initial Values cell.

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TYPICAL USES
„ Number of documents processed per hour
„ Serial number to assign to parts for unique identification
„ Space available in a facility

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name The unique name of the variable being defined.
Rows Number of rows in a dimensional variable.
Columns Number of columns in a dimensional variable.
Data Type The data type of the values stored in the variable. Valid types are Real
and String. The default type is Real.
Statistics Check box for determining whether or not statistics will be collected.
This field is visible when the rows and columns are not specified (single
variables).
Clear Option Defines the time (if at all) when the value(s) of the variable is reset to the
initial value(s) specified. Specifying Statistics indicates to reset this
variable to its initial value(s) whenever statistics are cleared. Specifying
System indicates to reset this variable to its initial value(s) whenever the
system is cleared. None indicates to never reset this variable to its initial
value(s), except prior to the first replication.
Initial Values Lists the initial value(s) of the variable. This value(s) may be changed
with the Assign module.
Initial Value Variable value at the start of the simulation.
Report Statistics Specifies whether or not statistics will be collected automatically and
stored in the report database for this variable.

Schedule module
DESCRIPTION
This data module may be used in conjunction with the Resource module to define an
operating schedule for a resource or with the Create module to define an arrival schedule.
Additionally, a schedule may be used and referenced to factor time delays based on the
simulation time. Duration-formatted schedules are defined within this module. Calendar-
formatted schedules are defined by selecting Edit > Calendar Schedules > Time

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3 • THE BASIC PROCESS PANEL

Patterns. (For more details, refer to the section entitled “Calendar schedule
information.”)

TYPICAL USES
„ Work schedule for staff, including breaks
„ Breakdown patterns for equipment
„ Volume of customers arriving at a store
„ Learning-curve factors for new workers

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name The name of the schedule being defined. This name must be unique.
Format Type Format of schedule being defined. If format is Duration, the schedule is
defined with a collection of value-duration pairs. If format is Calendar,
the schedule is defined using the Time Pattern editor.
Type Type of schedule being defined. This may be Capacity related (for
resource schedules), Arrival related (for the Create module), or Other

3 • Basic Process Panel

(miscellaneous time delays or factors).
Time Units Time units used for the time-duration information.
Scale Factor Method of scaling the schedule for increases or decreases in
Arrival/Other values. The specified Value fields will be multiplied by
the scale factor to determine the new values. Not available for Capacity-
type schedules.
Durations Lists the value and duration pairs for the schedule. Values can be
capacity, arrival, or other type values, while the duration is specified in
time units. Schedule pairs will repeat after all durations have been
completed, unless the last duration is left blank (infinite). Schedule data
can be entered graphically using the Graphical Schedule editor or
manually using the Value/Duration fields.
Value Represents either the capacity of a resource (if Type is Capacity), arrival
rate (if Type is Arrival), or some other value (if Type is Other).
Examples of Other may be a factor that is used in a delay expression to
scale a delay time during various parts of the day.
Duration Time duration for which a specified Value will be valid.

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Set module
DESCRIPTION
This data module defines various types of sets, including resource, counter, tally, entity
type, and entity picture. Resource sets can be used in the Process modules. Counter and
Tally sets can be used in the Record module.

TYPICAL USES
„ Machines that can perform the same operations in a manufacturing facility
„ Supervisors, check-out clerks in a store
„ Shipping clerks, receptionists in an office
„ Set of pictures corresponding to a set of entity types

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name The unique name of the set being defined.
Type Type of set being defined.
Members Repeat group that specifies the resource members with the set. The order
of listing the members within the repeat group is important when using
selection rules such as Preferred Order and Cyclical.
Resource Name Name of the resource to include in the resource set. Applies only when
Type is Resource.
Tally Name Name of the tally within the tally set. Applies only when Type is Tally.
Counter Name Name of the counter within the counter set. Applies only when Type is
Counter.
Entity Type Name of the entity type within the entity type set. Applies only when
Type is Entity.
Picture Name Name of the picture within the picture set. Applies only when Type is
Entity Picture.

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Calendar schedule information

Time Pattern
DESCRIPTION
A Time Pattern defines a series of values that change over time. For example, a worker
might be on duty during a standard work shift from Monday through Friday. The avail-
ability of the worker could be represented as a value of 1 when he’s on duty, 0 when he’s
off duty. The time pattern that defines this availability schedule would list the changes
from on duty to off duty over the week.
Time patterns are saved in an Arena model in the Schedule module with a Type set to
Calendar. Their data are edited via the Time Pattern window, which is opened from the
Edit > Calendar Schedules > Time Patterns menu option.

TYPICAL USES
„ Weekly work schedules (e.g., 1-shift, 5-day weeks; 2-shift, 4-day weeks)
„ Daily work patterns (e.g., 8-hour day with 30-minute lunch break)
Arrival patterns (e.g., weekly customer arrivals, daily part orders)

3 • Basic Process Panel

„

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Category The unique name of the category to which the time pattern belongs. A
category named Uncategorized is provided by default.
Name The unique name of this time pattern.
Time Pattern Type The type of data to be defined in this time pattern. Types include Arrival,
Capacity, Efficiency, and Other.
Default Value Type The data type defining the default value for this time pattern. Types
include Numeric, State, and Time Pattern.
Default Value The value to be used for all time periods where no other value has been
defined in this time pattern. The Default Value Type dictates the
information supplied in this field:
„ Numeric—a non-negative, real number (e.g., 1)
„ State—the name of a State, defined via the States editor dialog box
(e.g., On Shift)
„ Time Pattern—another time pattern of matching Time Pattern Type
(e.g., Standard Work Day)

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Prompt Description
Duration The length of this time pattern, which establishes the period in which the
time pattern will repeat. For example, a time pattern of Duration equal to
1 day will repeat every 24 hours. This field is read-only, displaying the
settings chosen in the Duration Edit dialog box for this time pattern.
Base Date The beginning calendar date of this time pattern. Applies only when the
time pattern type is Custom.
Scale Factor A multiplier to be applied to all values in the time pattern and specified
as a non-negative, real value.
Lock Times Indicates whether the times defined in this time pattern are absolute
clock times (when Lock Times is True), or are relative times from the
beginning of the time pattern (when Lock Times is False). Time patterns
with relative times are typically used as building blocks for other time
patterns. For example, a shift time pattern (with Lock Times as False)
might be created that establishes the timing of breaks relative to the start
of the shift. A weekly pattern (with Lock Times as True) then could use
that shift pattern repeatedly to establish the working schedule for first
shift starting at 07:00, second shift starting at 15:00, etc.
Time Spans List Values to apply for this time pattern and the time periods during which
the values should apply. If any time spans overlap, those defined further
down in the list supercede values defined above.
Value Type The data type defining the value for this time span. Types include
Numeric, State, and Time Pattern.
Value The value to be used during this time span. Valid entries are as described
for the Default Value.
Start Starting time for the time span, defined as a day, hour, minute, second,
and millisecond. Day values are specified as a day number (for custom
durations) or a day-of-week (for 1-week durations). All times are
specified in 24-hour format (e.g., 3:00 PM is 15 hours, 0 minutes).
End Ending time for the time span, specified as described for the Start time.

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3 • THE BASIC PROCESS PANEL

Calendar Exceptions
DESCRIPTION
An Exception defines a value that is to be applied for a resource over some fixed period of
time. The exception value overrides the base value defined for the resource. For example,
if a machine’s capacity was scheduled to be available (value of 1) during second shift
according to its base time pattern, you could add an exception to change it to unavailable
for second shift on a particular day (e.g., December 30, 2005).
Exception data are edited via the Exception and Composite windows, which are opened
from the Edit > Calendar Schedules > Exceptions and Display Composite menu
options.

TYPICAL USES
„ Overtime
„ Holidays
„ Regularly scheduled meetings

PROMPTS

3 • Basic Process Panel

Prompt Description
Description Optional description of the exception.
Value Type The data type defining the value for this exception. Types include
Numeric, State, and Time Pattern.
Value The value to be used during this exception period. The Value Type
dictates the information supplied in this field:
„ Numeric—a non-negative, real number (e.g., 1)
„ State—the name of a State, defined via the States editor dialog box
(e.g., On Shift)
„ Time Pattern—a time pattern (e.g., Standard Work Day)
Start Date The calendar date on which this exception should start.
Start Time The time on the Start Date at which this exception should start.
End Date The calendar date on which this exception should stop being applied to
the resource. If the Value Type is Time Pattern, the values in the time
pattern will repeat until this End Date.
End Time The time on the End Date at which this exception should start being
applied.
Exception Type The type of data to be defined in this time pattern. Types include
Capacity and Efficiency.
Application The list of resources to which this exception should apply.

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Calendar States
DESCRIPTION
A Calendar State defines a name that can be used in place of a numeric value when defin-
ing time patterns and exceptions. This can be useful if a particular value (e.g., the number
of workers in a pool of labor) needs to be entered in multiple places, but may need to be
modified. By entering the state name in the time patterns/exceptions, you can modify the
value associated with the state, which will apply the new value in all of those places.
States are defined by opening the States editor dialog box from within the Time Pattern
and Exceptions editors.

TYPICAL USES
„ Labor pool sizes
„ Standard efficiency values
„ Base arrival rates

PROMPTS
Prompt Description
Name The unique name of the calendar state.
Value The non-negative, real value to be associated with this state.
Color The color associated with displaying this state.*
Hatch The hatch pattern associated with displaying this state.*

*Arena does not use the Color and Hatch values; they are utilized by other RSBizWare products.

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4 Using Visio and Arena

Introduction
Since the mid-1980s, Business Process Improvement (BPI) and simulation have become
leading methodologies to allow corporations to deliver high-quality products and services
through business process modeling. Businesses are seeking not simply to automate
existing operations, but to improve and redesign business processes to meet and exceed
customers’ expectations for the delivery of products and services.
Many simulation systems are standalone, running only on a desktop and having limited
capabilities to integrate with other technologies such as company databases, workflow
engines, and other desktop solutions. At the same time, leading corporations have
discovered the value of simulation technology. Many companies require simulation to be
used as standard procedure in support of process improvements.
A much greater return on investment is possible if process descriptions and simulation
results can be accessed throughout the enterprise. Microsoft® Visio®, the leading desktop
drawing product, supplies a common graphics platform for representing business process
models. Visio’s open architecture via ActiveX® and Visual Basic® for Applications
enables the overall modeling tool to be customized to fit changing needs. The models also
can be shared throughout the enterprise by publishing on an intranet directly from Visio.
The Arena Basic Edition includes a built-in interface to Visio, mapping shapes from a
Visio drawing to the appropriate simulation constructs in Arena. Process hierarchy is
captured in the Arena simulation model, including activity-based costing and process
logic, enabling an understanding of the distribution of cost and effort among process
components. As with Visio, Arena supplies robust ActiveX support, a Microsoft® Office-

4 • Using Visio and Arena

compatible interface, and VBA to fulfill enterprise needs for best-of-breed software
products.

The Visio Process Simulation add-in

If you use Visio, you can immediately put Arena’s process mapping tool to work with the
Visio Process Simulator. Created as an add-in to Visio, the Process Simulator includes a
Visio template and stencil for mapping processes with shapes designed to mirror the flow-
chart and data modules in the Basic Process panel of the Arena Basic Edition. When
you’ve completed your Visio process map using these tools, you’re ready to simulate it in
Arena!

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Start a drawing
Before opening the Visio stencil, it is necessary to have an administrator on the machine
set the Visio macro security options to Low so that macros will be enabled.
To begin a drawing, browse to the Process Simulation template, which the Process Simu-
lator installs in the Program Files\Rockwell Software\Arena\Visio folder. This dialog box
typically appears when you first start Visio, or you can bring it up via the File > New >
Choose Drawing Type > Browse Templates menu.
It’s important to start
your drawing by The Process Simulation template sets up the Visio environment to work with Arena and
browsing to the opens a new drawing. Drawings that are started with this template will automatically
Process Simulation
template, rather
display the Process Simulation stencil, provide custom dialog boxes for editing shape
than opening or properties, and add a Simulate menu to Visio for checking your drawing and transferring
starting a new draw- it to Arena.
ing and directly
attaching the The Process Simulation stencil, which is opened with your new drawing, contains shapes
Process Simulation
stencil. If you don’t that will capture your process flow and data. The shapes mirror those in Arena’s Basic
start your drawing Process panel, so you can use Visio to define fully a model of your process, including all
with the template, of the parameters needed to exploit the power of simulation analysis.
custom dialogs and
other features may The first 14 shapes in the Process Simulation stencil correspond to the Arena flowchart
not be available.
and data modules with the same names. In addition, the Visio stencil contains five connec-
tor shapes for properly defining the process flowchart.

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4 • USING VISIO AND ARENA

Place and connect shapes

To define the process flow portion of your model, drag and drop flowchart shapes (e.g.,
You can change the Create, Process, Dispose) from the Process Simulation stencil into your drawing, just as
Visio page layout or
size via the File > you would with other standard Visio stencils. Then, use the connectors from the Process
Page Setup menu. Simulation stencil to establish flow.
For many process
maps, a Standard When connecting shapes, the Dynamic Connector is used for all except Decide and
page size and Land- Separate, which use special connectors to determine the type of each of the two possible
scape orientation
work well. outgoing connections. The table below lists the shapes from which the connectors can
start (e.g., the True Connector can only start at a Decide shape).

Connector Valid Starting Shape

True Connector Decide

False Connector Decide
Original Connector Separate
Duplicate Connector Separate
Dynamic Connector Create, Process, Batch, Assign, Record

The sample flowchart below illustrates the use of these connectors, including the
Dynamic Connector, which is unlabeled.

4 • Using Visio and Arena

Decide shape
(True and
False
connectors)

Separate shape
(Original and Duplicate
connectors)

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Enter custom properties

When you place shapes from the Process Simulation stencil, default names appear (e.g.,
Create 1, Process 1) to identify the steps in the process flow. Typically, you’ll replace
these names with descriptions of the process steps. To do so, simply select the shape and
type the new name, as with other standard Visio shapes.
The Process Simulation stencil’s shapes also provide custom dialogs for defining property
values, including lists of valid options and other features to aid you in quickly characteriz-
ing process data. To open the dialog box, either double-click on the shape or right-click
and select Edit Shape Properties from the pop-up menu, as shown below.

Either of these actions will display the appropriate dialog box for the shape. The dialogs
that Arena presents for its corresponding modules are designed to match those in Visio, so
that you’re working in a familiar interface, whether mapping your process in Visio or
Arena.

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• • • • •
4 • USING VISIO AND ARENA

The property values that you define via the custom dialog boxes are stored with the indi-
vidual shapes. When you transfer the process map to Arena, these parameters are used for
simulation.

Add data shapes

To define the data modules (e.g., Entity, Resource) for the model of your process, you
place shapes directly in the drawing for each of the elements you want to define. When the
individual data shapes are transferred to Arena, they will not appear in the model window,
but will be added to the appropriate spreadsheets instead.
For example, if processes in your flowchart are performed by resources named Clerk and
Supervisor, you would place two Resource shapes and specify their characteristics (cost,
You only need to capacity) by opening the property dialog boxes.
add the data shapes
if you want to
change any of the
default values.
Otherwise, they are
not needed in the
Visio drawing; they’ll
automatically be
added to the
spreadsheets when
you transfer the
drawing to Arena.

4 • Using Visio and Arena

Simulate the process map in Arena
By using the Process Simulation stencil in Visio, you can define, document, and commu-
nicate your business processes. When you want to predict how your process will operate,
examine it for bottlenecks, and compare possible changes to make informed decisions,
you can transfer your process map from Visio to Arena, where the process will come to
life with simulation and animation.

Check the drawing

While you’re working with your process map, you can check it for any missing or incorrect
data or connections. To check your drawing, use the Check Drawing item from the
Simulate menu. After the drawing has been examined, a list of any warnings/errors is
displayed, as shown below for a drawing that has a connector that is not glued at both ends.

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

If multiple problems are detected, each will be listed with a description and, in the case of
invalid or missing properties, the field and value that are improper are listed. To correct
the errors in your drawing, you can use the buttons at the bottom of the dialog box. For
errors in shape properties, click the Edit Properties button, which displays the shape’s
dialog box, to correct the data. In the case of connector problems, click Go to Shape,
which displays and selects the shape that caused the problem, as shown below. (Note that
the Error Listing dialog box shrinks to allow more room for viewing the drawing.)

After you’ve corrected the problem, you can return to the list of errors/warnings by click-
ing the Return to Error List button. Once you finish correcting any additional problems,
click the Close button. You can check your drawing at any time, correcting any or all
errors that are detected.

Transfer the drawing to Arena

When you’re ready to simulate your process, it’s a simple matter of selecting the Simulate
Drawing item from the Simulate menu. This tool opens the Arena Basic Edition and

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• • • • •
4 • USING VISIO AND ARENA

translates your Visio process map into an Arena simulation model. When the process is
complete, you have an Arena model containing modules from the Basic Process panel that
mirror the shapes you used from the Visio Process Simulation stencil, including the prop-
erties and connections you specified in Visio.
In Arena, you can set the simulation run length on the Run > Setup page. If you do not
define the run length, you can stop the simulation at any time by clicking the Pause
button, then the End button.
To run the simulation, click Arena’s Go button. Your entities will animate the flowchart as
the simulation proceeds, just as if you had created the model directly in Arena. Because
the process is being simulated in Arena with the standard Basic Process modules, you
have all of Arena’s capabilities at your disposal, including reports on all aspects of your
process via the Reports panel selections.
After you have simulated your process, you can save the Arena model (.doe) file to con-
tinue work in Arena, or you can close it to return to Visio for continued modifications.
Because the transfer of the Visio drawing is from Visio to Arena (but not vice versa from
Arena to Visio), it’s usually best to return to Visio. However, you might want to save the
Arena model in case you want to review the simulation or results as you’re refining the
Visio process map.

Simulate other Visio drawings

In addition to simulating process maps using the Process Simulation add-in, you can also
simulate process maps created using other Visio stencils. Arena provides a shape map
editor to define the relationship between the shapes in the Visio stencils and the modules
in Arena’s Basic Process panel. Arena’s online help describes how to use this feature,
which is accessed by opening the Tools > Options menu and clicking on the Visio

4 • Using Visio and Arena

Options tab.

Use Visio and Arena in your organization

The combination of Visio and Arena can widen and deepen the reach of process improve-
ment in your organization. You can exploit the accessibility of Visio to ease the transition
from drawing pictures to mapping processes. All types of process constituents—from
those who govern the business to the staff who execute the process—can directly influ-
ence the definition of how the process works now … and what future “to-be” operations
will provide the most dramatic improvements.

Distribute the Process Simulation add-in

The Process Simulation add-in is automatically installed with Arena and is available to all
Visio users, with no additional fees or licenses required. You can distribute the add-in

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• • • • • ARENA BASIC EDITION USER’S GUIDE

throughout your organization so that everyone who has an interest in the process defini-
tion can access it directly through Visio.
With this approach, process maps can be created and shared throughout the organization
on any desktop with a Visio license. When simulation and animation are needed to visual-
ize and analyze the behavior of the process, the drawings can be transferred to systems
with the Arena Basic Edition. By using the Process Simulation template and checking the
process maps as they’re created, you can be confident that taking the step to move from
static drawing to dynamic simulation will be seamless.

Publish process maps on a Web page

You can share your process maps—the drawing of your process flowchart—with others
by using Visio’s HTML export feature to publish on an intranet. To save the drawing in
HTML format, select the File > Save As menu option in Visio and change the type to
HTML Files. (Refer to Visio’s online help for more information about the HTML export
feature.)
The value of modeling and analyzing your processes can be further exploited by saving
process performance information with the process maps. The results of simulation runs
can be saved in HTML format, providing a benchmark against which actual operations or
other improvement concepts can be compared. To save the reports, click the Export
button when you have an Arena report open and select the HTML option as the file type.

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A Statistical Distributions
Arena contains a set of built-in functions for generating random numbers from the com-
monly used probability distributions. These distributions appear on pull-down menus in
many Arena modules where they’re likely to be used. They also match the distributions in
the Arena Input Analyzer. This appendix describes all of the Arena distributions.
Each of the distributions in Arena has one or more parameter values associated with it.
You must specify these parameter values to define the distribution fully. The number,
meaning, and order of the parameter values depend on the distribution. A summary of the
distributions (in alphabetical order) and parameter values is given in the table below.

Summary of Arena’s Probability Distributions

Distribution Parameter Values

Beta BETA Beta, Alpha

Continuous CONT CumP1,Val1, . . . CumPn,Valn
Discrete DISC CumP1,Val1, . . . CumPn,Valn
Erlang ERLA ExpoMean, k
Exponential EXPO Mean
Gamma GAMM Beta, Alpha
Johnson JOHN Gamma, Delta, Lambda, Xi
Lognormal LOGN LogMean, LogStd
Normal NORM Mean, StdDev
Poisson POIS Mean
Triangular TRIA Min, Mode, Max
Uniform UNIF Min, Max
Weibull WEIB Beta, Alpha

A • Statistical Distributions

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To enter a distribution in an Arena field, you type the name of the distribution (or its four-
letter abbreviation) followed by its parameters enclosed in parentheses. You may use
spaces around punctuation to help read the distribution. A few examples appear below.

UNIF( 3.5, 6 )
Uniform distribution with a minimum value of 3.5, a maximum value of 6

NORMAL( 83, 12.8 )

Normal distribution with a mean of 83, a standard deviation of 12.8

DISCRETE( 0.3,50, 0.75,80, 1.0,100 )

Discrete probability distribution that will return a value of 50 with probability 0.3, a
value of 80 with cumulative probability 0.75, and a value of 100 with cumulative
probability of 1.0. (See “Discrete probability” for a description of these parameters.)

TRIA( 10, 15, 22 )

Triangular distribution with a minimum value of 10, mode (most likely value) of 15,
and maximum value of 22

In the following pages, we provide a summary of each of the distributions supported by

Arena, listed in alphabetical order for easy reference. Each includes the density or mass
function, parameters, range, mean, variance, and typical applications for the distribution.
If you have existing data and want to select the appropriate distribution for use in your
model, use Arena’s Input Analyzer. Click on Tools > Input Analyzer to launch the
program, or launch it from the Windows Start menu.

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A • STATISTICAL DISTRIBUTIONS

Beta(β, α) BETA(Beta, Alpha)

β–1 α–1
x (1 – x)
--------------------------------------- for 0 < x < 1
Probability B (β,α)
Density f(x) =
Function
0 otherwise
where β is the complete beta
function given by
1 β–1 α–1
B ( β, α ) = ∫0 t (1 – t) dt

Parameters Shape parameters Beta (β) and Alpha (α) specified as positive real numbers.

Range [0, 1] (Can also be transformed to [a,b] as described below)

β
Mean -------------
β+α

Variance
βa
----------------------------------------------
-
2
(β + a) (β + a + 1)

Applications Because of its ability to take on a wide variety of shapes, this distribution is often used as
a rough model in the absence of data. Also, because the range of the beta distribution is
from 0 to 1, the sample X can be transformed to the scaled beta sample Y with the range
from a to b by using the equation Y = a + (b - a)X. The beta is often used to represent
random proportions, such as the proportion of defective items in a lot.

A • Statistical Distributions

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Continuous CONTINUOUS(CumP1, Val1, . . ., CumPn, Valn)

(c1, x1,. . ., cn,xn)

Probability
Density
Function

Cumulative
Distribution
Function

c1 if x = x1 (a mass of probability c1 at x1)

f(x) = cj – cj-1 if xj-1 ≤ x < xj, for j = 2, 3, . . ., n

0 if x < x1 or x ≥ xn

Parameters The CONTINUOUS function in Arena returns a sample from a user-defined distribution.
Pairs of cumulative probabilities cj (= CumPj) and associated values xj (= Valj) are speci-
fied. The sample returned will be a real number between x1 and xn, and will be less than or
equal to each xj with corresponding cumulative probability cj. The xj’s must increase with
j. The cj’s must all be between 0 and 1, must increase with j, and cn must be 1.
The cumulative distribution function F(x) is piecewise linear with “corners” defined by
F(xj) = cj for j = 1, 2, . . ., n. Thus, for j > 2, the returned value will be in the interval

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(xj–1, xj] with probability cj – cj–1; given that it is in this interval, it will be distributed uni-
formly over it.
You must take care to specify c1 and x1 to get the effect you want at the left edge of the
distribution. The CONTINUOUS function will return (exactly) the value x1 with
probability c1. Thus, if you specify c1 > 0, this actually results in a mixed discrete-
continuous distribution returning (exactly) x1 with probability c1, and with probability
1 – c1 a continuous random variate on (x1, xn] as described above. The graph of F(x) above
depicts a situation where c1 > 0. On the other hand, if you specify c1 = 0, you will get a
(truly) continuous distribution on [x1, xn] as described above, with no “mass” of probability
at x1; in this case, the graph of F(x) would be continuous, with no jump at x1.
As an example use of the CONTINUOUS function, suppose you have collected a set of
data x1, x2, . . ., xn (assumed to be sorted into increasing order) on service times, for exam-
ple. Rather than using a fitted theoretical distribution from the Input Analyzer, you want
to generate service times in the simulation “directly” from the data, consistent with how
they’re spread out and bunched up, and between the minimum x1 and the maximum xn you
observed. Assuming that you don’t want a “mass” of probability sitting directly on x1,
you’d specify c1 = 0 and then cj = (j – 1)/(n – 1) for j = 2, 3, . . ., n.

Range [x , x ]
1 n

Applications The continuous empirical distribution is often used to incorporate actual data for continu-
ous random variables directly into the model. This distribution can be used as an alterna-
tive to a theoretical distribution that has been fitted to the data, such as in data that have a
multimodal profile or where there are significant outliers.

A • Statistical Distributions

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Discrete DISCRETE(CumP1, Val1, . . ., CumPn, Valn)

(c1, x1, . . ., cn, xn)

Probability
Mass
Function

p(xj) = cj – cj-1

where c0 = 0

Cumulative
Distribution
Function

Parameters The DISCRETE function in Arena returns a sample from a user-defined discrete probabil-
ity distribution. The distribution is defined by the set of n possible discrete values
(denoted by x1, x2, . . . , xn) that can be returned by the function and the cumulative proba-
bilities (denoted by c1, c2, . . . , cn) associated with these discrete values. The cumulative
probability (cj) for xj is defined as the probability of obtaining a value that is less than or
equal to xj. Hence, cj is equal to the sum of p(xk ) for k going from 1 to j. By definition,
cn = 1.

Range {x , x , . . ., x }
1 2 n

Applications The discrete empirical distribution is often used to incorporate discrete empirical data
directly into the model. This distribution is frequently used for discrete assignments such
as the job type, the visitation sequence, or the batch size for an arriving entity.
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Erlang(β, k) ERLANG(ExpMean, k) or ERLA(ExpMean, k)

Probability
Density
Function –k k – 1 –x ⁄ β
β x e
--------------------------------- for x > 0
f(x) = ( k – 1 )!

0 otherwise

Parameters If X1, X2, . . . , Xk are independent, identically distributed exponential random variables,
then the sum of these k samples has an Erlang-k distribution. The mean (β) of each of the
component exponential distributions and the number of exponential random variables (k)
are the parameters of the distribution. The exponential mean is specified as a positive real
number, and k is specified as a positive integer.

Range [0, + ∞ )

Mean kβ

Variance kβ 2

Applications The Erlang distribution is used in situations in which an activity occurs in successive
phases and each phase has an exponential distribution. For large k, the Erlang approaches
the normal distribution. The Erlang distribution is often used to represent the time
required to complete a task. The Erlang distribution is a special case of the gamma distri-
bution in which the shape parameter, α, is an integer (k). A • Statistical Distributions

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Exponential(β) EXPONENTIAL(Mean) or EXPO(Mean)

Probability
1
--- e –x ⁄ β
Density
Function
f(x) = β for x > 0

0 otherwise

Parameters The mean (β) specified as a positive real number.

Range [0, + ∞ )

Mean β

Variance β2

Applications This distribution is often used to model inter-event times in random arrival and break-
down processes, but it is generally inappropriate for modeling process delay times.
In Arena’s Create module, the Schedule option automatically samples from an exponen-
tial distribution with a mean that changes according to the defined schedule. This is partic-
ularly useful in service applications, such as retail business or call centers, where the
volume of customers changes throughout the day.

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Gamma(β, α) GAMMA(Beta, Alpha) or GAMM(Beta, Alpha)

Probability
Density
Function
β –α xα – 1 e –x ⁄ β for x > 0
-----------------------------------
f(x) = Γ(α)
0 otherwise

where Γ is the complete

gamma function given by
∞ α – 1 –1
Γ(α) = ∫0 t e dt

Parameters Shape parameter (α) and scale parameter (β) specified as positive real values.

Range [0, + ∞ )

Mean αβ

Variance αβ 2

Applications For integer shape parameters, the gamma is the same as the Erlang distribution. The
gamma is often used to represent the time required to complete some task (e.g., a
machining time or machine repair time).

A • Statistical Distributions

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Johnson JOHNSON(Gamma, Delta, Lambda, Xi) or JOHN(Gamma, Delta, Lambda, Xi)

Probability
Density
Function

Unbounded Family Bounded Family

Parameters Gamma shape parameter (γ), Delta shape parameter (δ > 0), Lambda scale parameter (λ),
and Xi location parameter (ξ).

Range (− ∞, + ∞ ) Unbounded Family

[ξ, ξ + λ] Bounded Family

Applications The flexibility of the Johnson distribution allows it to fit many data sets. Arena can
sample from both the unbounded and bounded form of the distribution. If Delta (δ) is
passed as a positive number, the bounded form is used. If Delta is passed as a negative
value, the unbounded form is used with |δ | as the parameter.

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Lognormal(μ, σ) LOGNORMAL(LogMean, LogStd) or LOGN(LogMean, LogStd)

Probability Denote the user-specified input parameters as

Density LogMean = μl and LogStd = σl .
Function
Then let μ = ln( μ l2 / σ l2 + μ l2 ) and

[
σ = ln (σ l2 + μ l2 ) / μ l2 ]
the probability density function can then be
written as

1 2
/( 2σ 2 )
e −(ln( x ) − μ )
f(x) = σx 2π for x > 0

0 otherwise

Parameters Mean LogMean (μ l > 0) and standard deviation LogStd (σ l > 0) of the lognormal random
variable. Both LogMean and LogStd must be specified as strictly positive real numbers.

Range [0, + ∞ )

eμ + σ ⁄2
2
Mean LogMean = μ1 =

μ + σ2
Variance (LogStd)2 = σ 12 = e2 ( e σ2 – 1 )

A • Statistical Distributions
Applications The lognormal distribution is used in situations in which the quantity is the product of a
large number of random quantities. It is also frequently used to represent task times that
have a distribution skewed to the right. This distribution is related to the normal
distribution as follows. If X has a lognormal (μl, σl) distribution, then ln(X) has a normal
(μ, σ) distribution. Note that μ and σ are not the mean and standard deviation of the
lognormal random variable X, but rather the mean and standard deviation of the normal
random variable lnX.

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Normal(μ, σ) NORMAL(Mean, StdDev) or NORM(Mean, StdDev)

Probability
Density
Function 1 2
/( 2σ 2 )
f ( x) = e −( x − μ ) for all real x
σ 2π

Parameters The mean (μ) specified as a real number and standard deviation (σ) specified as a positive
real number.

Range (− ∞, + ∞ )

Mean μ

Variance σ2

Applications The normal distribution is used in situations in which the central limit theorem applies;
i.e., quantities that are sums of other quantities. It is also used empirically for many
processes that appear to have a symmetric distribution. Because the theoretical range is
from - ∞ to + ∞, the distribution should only be used for positive quantities like
processing times.

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Poisson(λ) POISSON(Mean) or POIS(Mean)

Probability
Mass
Function

–λ x
e λ for xε {0, 1, ...}
-------------
x!
p(x)=
0 otherwise

Parameters The mean (λ) specified as a positive real number.

Range {0, 1, . . .}

Mean λ

Variance λ

Applications The Poisson distribution is a discrete distribution that is often used to model the number
A • Statistical Distributions
of random events occurring in a fixed interval of time. If the time between successive
events is exponentially distributed, then the number of events that occur in a fixed-time
interval has a Poisson distribution. The Poisson distribution is also used to model random
batch sizes.

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Triangular(a, m, b) TRIANGULAR(Min, Mode, Max) or TRIA(Min, Mode, Max)

f(x)
Probability
Density
Function

0 x
a m b

2(x – a)
----------------------------------- for a ≤ x ≤ m
(m – a)(b – a)
f(x) = 2(b – x) for m ≤ x ≤ b
-----------------------------------
(b – m)(b – a)

0 otherwise

Parameters The minimum (a), mode (m), and maximum (b) values for the distribution specified as
real numbers with a < m < b.

Range [a, b]

Mean (a + m + b)/3

Variance (a2 + m2 + b2 – ma – ab – mb)/18

Applications The triangular distribution is commonly used in situations in which the exact form of the
distribution is not known, but estimates (or guesses) for the minimum, maximum, and
most likely values are available. The triangular distribution is easier to use and explain
than other distributions that may be used in this situation (e.g., the beta distribution).

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Uniform(a, b) UNIFORM(Min, Max) or UNIF(Min, Max)

Probability f(x)
Density
Function

1
b-a

0 x
a b

1
------------ for a ≤ x ≤ b
b–a
f(x) =

0 otherwise

Parameters The minimum (a) and maximum (b) values for the distribution specified as real numbers
with a < b.

Range [a, b]

Mean (a + b)/2

Variance (b – a)2/12

A • Statistical Distributions
Applications The uniform distribution is used when all values over a finite range are considered to be
equally likely. It is sometimes used when no information other than the range is available.
The uniform distribution has a larger variance than other distributions that are used when
information is lacking (e.g., the triangular distribution).

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Weibull(β, α) WEIBULL(Beta, Alpha) or WEIB(Beta, Alpha)

Probability f(x) a=1/2

Density
Function
a=1 a=2

a=3

0 x

a
aβ –a x a – 1 e –( x ⁄ β ) for x > 0
f(x) =

0 otherwise

Parameters Shape parameter (α) and scale parameter (β) specified as positive real values.

Range [0, + ∞ )

β ⎛ 1⎞
Mean --- Γ --- , where Γ is the complete gamma function (see gamma distribution).
a ⎝ a⎠

2
β ⎧ 2⎫
----- ⎨ 2Γ ⎛ 2--- ⎞ – --- Γ ⎛ --- ⎞
1 1
Variance
a ⎩ ⎝ a⎠ a ⎝ a⎠ ⎬
⎭

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Applications The Weibull distribution is widely used in reliability models to represent the lifetime of a
device. If a system consists of a large number of parts that fail independently, and if the
system fails when any single part fails, then the time between successive failures can be
approximated by the Weibull distribution. This distribution is also used to represent non-
negative task times that are skewed to the left.

A • Statistical Distributions

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B Library Shapes and Symbols

B • Shapes and Symbols

Arena .plb picture files
Arena’s picture libraries (*.plb files) contain images that you may use for entity, resource,
and global pictures. You can use the images in these libraries for any of these three types
of picture animation. You also can copy these pictures into your own libraries, draw new
pictures in Arena’s picture editor, or add pictures from the Arena Symbol Factory to any
.plb file. View the online help topic “Animating Objects” to learn more about adding
symbols to your picture libraries.
The Basic Process library supplies a set of default entity pictures that are preloaded into
your Arena models. When you start a model, Arena adds the pictures from BasicPro-
cess.plb to the entity picture list (see the Edit > Entity Pictures menu). Also, the pre-
defined names associated with these pictures are added to the entity picture list (e.g.,
Picture.Report) in the Entity module and Entity picture placement dialog.

Example pictures in Basic Process.plb

Report Bike Airplane Man Woman Blue Ball Red Ball

Green Ball Yellow Ball Boat Box Diskette Letter Red Page

Blue Page Yellow Page Green Page Envelope Truck Van Widgets

Email Telephone Package Fax

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Arena .plb libraries

The list of standard Arena picture libraries includes:
„ Buldings.plb
„ Equipment.plb
„ Faces.plb
„ Factory.plb
„ General.plb
„ Machines.plb
„ Medical.plb
„ Objects.plb
„ Office.plb
„ Office Equipment.plb
„ People.plb
„ Symbols.plb
„ Vehicles.plb
„ Workers.plb
Common shapes may be placed from any of these categories, or they may be added from
the Arena Symbol Factory or other image source by pasting from your Clipboard into a
specific library. If you wish to create your own library of shapes, simply select New from
the Entity Picture Placement window. The “Current Library” displays “(None Opened)”
because the new library has not yet been named or saved. Simply select Add for each
library shape you wish to include in your new (or existing) library file, and draw or paste
the appropriate images onto the picture editor board. Remember to drag-and-drop the
Ride Point to the appropriate position on your image.

Arena Symbol Factory

Arena animations can also be enhanced using Arena Symbol Factory’s extensive library
of over 4,000 symbols. These symbols can be used for entity, resource, transporter, or
global pictures, or as graphic symbols within a model window. You can copy these images
directly to the Arena model window, add them to your own libraries (.plb files), or add
them to any of the standard Arena picture library files.

The Symbol Factory application

The Symbol Factory is launched from the main Arena toolbar by selecting Tools > Arena
Symbol Factory. The application screen contains three distinct areas: the Preview pane,
showing an enlarged image of the currently selected symbol; the Categories pane,
containing the list of library symbols by groupings; and the Symbol pane, displaying
images of all shapes contained within a selected category. An example of the application
is shown below with the Machining category selected.

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B • LIBRARY SHAPES AND SYMBOLS

B • Shapes and Symbols

The basic operation of Symbol Factory simply requires you to select an object from a
category list, click Edit > Copy, and then paste the symbol into your picture editor
window or the Arena application window (for static shapes). Details on the Arena Symbol
Factory can be found in the extensive online help embedded in the application.
You must have suitable license activation to use the full Symbol Factory capabilities. In
Arena training/evaluation, Basic Edition, and run-time versions, Arena Symbol Factory is
only available in demo mode. Demo mode limits use to only the first symbol in each
category. New categories cannot be created, and symbols cannot be moved, added,
deleted, imported, or exported in demo mode.

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Index

Numerics collecting statistics „ 38

contact information „ 4
2-way chance „ 34
Continuous „ 62
2-way condition „ 34
Continuous empirical distribution „ 59, 62
counter sets „ 46
A Create module „ 7, 29
ActiveX support „ 51 creation of entities „ 29
adding plots to the model „ 25 Customer Support Center „ 3
animating resources „ 23

Index
animation „ 7, 19 D
enhancing the graphics „ 21
data modules „ 11, 29, 40
animation scale factor „ 19
data objects „ 11
Arena Basic Edition „ 1
Decide module „ 10, 15, 34
Arena Symbol Factory „ 3, 78
decision-making processes „ 34
adding shapes to Arena „ 78
defining model data „ 12
Assign module „ 37
Discrete empirical distribution „ 59, 64
Auto-Connect menu „ 8
Dispose module „ 10, 16, 30
disposing of entities „ 30
B Distributions
Basic Process panel „ 7 beta „ 59, 61
Assign module „ 11, 37 continuous empirical „ 59, 62
Batch module „ 11, 35 discrete empirical „ 59, 64
Create module „ 11, 29 Erlang „ 59, 65
Decide module „ 11, 34 exponential „ 59, 66
Dispose module „ 11, 30 gamma „ 59, 67
Entity module „ 40 Johnson „ 59, 68
Process module „ 11, 31 lognormal „ 59, 69
Queue module „ 41 normal „ 59, 70
Record module „ 11, 38 Poisson „ 59, 71
Resource module „ 42 probability „ 59
Schedule module „ 44 triangular „ 59, 72
Separate module „ 11, 36 uniform „ 59, 73
Set module „ 46 Weibull „ 59, 74
Variable module „ 43 document conventions „ 2
Batch module „ 35 documentation set „ 2
Beta distribution „ 59, 61 drawing elements „ 7
business process modeling „ 51 duplicating entities „ 36

C E
Calendar Exceptions „ 49 entities „ 7
Calendar States „ 50 creating „ 29
chart „ 7 defining types „ 40

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disposing „ 30 P
duplicating „ 36
pause the simulation „ 20
what are they? „ 13
picture libraries „ 77
Entity module „ 40
BasicProcess.plb „ 77
entity picture sets „ 46
listing of standard files „ 78
entity type sets „ 46
pictures
Erlang distribution „ 59, 65, 67
changing from idle to busy „ 23
Exponential distribution „ 59, 66
plots „ 25
Poisson distribution „ 59, 71
F Probability distribution „ 59
flowchart modules „ 11, 29 process flowchart „ 7
flowchart objects „ 11 process mapping „ 51
flowchart view „ 7 process maps „ 7
checking the drawing „ 55
G publishing on a Web „ 58
Gamma distribution „ 59, 67 simulating other Visio drawings „ 57
transferring the drawing to Arena „ 56
Glue to Guides „ 24
Process module „ 8, 13, 31
grid „ 9
Process Simulation
grouping within the model „ 35
guides „ 24 distributing the add-in „ 57
stencil „ 52
Project Bar „ 6
J Project Parameters dialog „ 18
Johnson distribution „ 59, 68
Q
L Queue module „ 41
Lognormal distribution „ 59, 69 queueing „ 35

M R
model thumbnail „ 26 ranking rules „ 41
model window „ 6 Record module „ 38
flowchart view „ 7 reports „ 20
spreadsheet view „ 7 resource constraints
modules „ 6, 11 seizing and releasing „ 31
mortgage application example „ 5 Resource module „ 17, 42
resource sets „ 46
N resource states „ 42
Normal distribution „ 59, 70 resources
definition „ 42
failures „ 42
O schedule definition „ 44
online help „ 2 rulers „ 24
operating schedule „ 44 running the simulation „ 26

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INDEX

S Triangular distribution „ 59, 72

sample models „ 2
saving your model „ 18 U
Schedule module „ 44 Uniform distribution „ 59, 73
Separate module „ 36
Set module „ 46 V
sets definition „ 46 Variable module „ 43
simulating your process „ 18 variables
simulation run length „ 57
assigning new values „ 37
SMARTs library „ 2, 12, 15 definition „ 43
snap „ 9 viewing reports „ 20
split view „ 22 Visio „ 51
splitting batches „ 36

Index
Visio Process Simulator „ 51
spreadsheet view „ 7 adding data shapes „ 55
stepping through the simulation „ 20
entering custom properties „ 54
placing and connecting shapes „ 53
T simulating the process map „ 55
tally sets „ 46 starting a drawing „ 51
technical support „ 3
thumbnail „ 26 W
time delay „ 13 Web support „ 3
Time Pattern „ 47 Weibull distribution „ 59, 74
time patterns „ 47
training courses „ 4

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84