1. Getting Started .Cont The Basic Process Panel
ARENA ..
Getting Started .Cont
The Basic Process Panel
Networking and Communication Systems

2. Modules Basic building blocks of a simulation model
Two basic types: flowchart and data
Different types of modules for different actions, specifications
“Blank” modules are on the Project Bar
To add a flowchart module to your model, drag it from the Project Bar into the flowchart view of the model window
Can have many instances of the same kind of flowchart module in your model
To use a data module, select it (single-click) in the Project Bar and edit in the spreadsheet view of the model window
Only one instance of each kind of data module in your model, but it can have many entries (rows) in the spreadsheet view
Simulation with Arena
Chapter 3 – A Guided Tour Through Arena

3. Flowchart Modules Describe dynamic processes
Nodes/places through which entities flow
Typically connected to each other in some way
Basic Process panel flowchart module types:
Create, Dispose, Process, Decide, Batch, Separate, Assign, Record
Other panels – many other kinds
Shape like flowcharting (also use colors for hints)
Two ways to edit
Double-click to open up, then fill out dialogs
Select (single-click) a module type in model or Project Bar, get all modules of that type in the spreadsheet view
Simulation with Arena
Chapter 3 – A Guided Tour Through Arena

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Tutorial : Animate the mortgage review clerk resource
Adding (clock, date, variable,….)
Simulate the process
- Check Model  F4
- Run Simulation F5
- Controlling Simulation Run
View simulation reports

7. The Basic Process Panel
Flowchart modules
Create module
Dispose module
Process module
Decide module

8. 5. Batch module:
This module is the grouping mechanism within the simulation model.
Batches can be permanently or temporarily grouped. Temporary batches must later be split using the Separate module.
Entities arriving at the Batch module are placed in a queue until the required number of entities has accumulated. Once accumulated, a new representative
entity is created.

9. Batch module cont. 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

10. Batch module cont.

11. 6. Separate module:
This module can be used to either copy an incoming entity into multiple entities or to split a previously batched entity.
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 proceed sequentially from the module in the same order in which they originally were added to the batch.

12. Separate module cont. Typical uses:
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 an order both to fulfillment and billing for parallel processing
Separate a previously batched set of documents

13. Separate module cont.

14. 7. Assign module: Typical uses:
Used for assigning new values to variables, entity attributes, entity types, entity pictures, or other system variables.
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

15. Assign module cont.

16. 8. Record module: Typical uses:
This module is used to collect statistics in the simulation model
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

17. Coffee shop that has two staffs working in it. Staff1: make hot drink.
Staff2: make cold drink.
Customers arrive randomly with exponential distribution (average 6 customers /minutes) .
35% of the customers want cold drink.
Time needed by Staff 1:
(Normal distribution – value: 2 minutes- Std Div:1)
Time needed by staff 2:
(Normal distribution – value: 4 minutes- Std Div:2)
Replication length : 200 min
# of replications: 2
Hours per day: 8
Base Time Units: hours
Animate and simulate the system above and analyze its efficiency.
- Give the waiting time for each queue?
- Number of customers waiting in each queue?
- How many customers are in and out at the end of the simulation? (number of replications :2)