1. Copyright © 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
Learning Simio Lab Series 1 Lab Module 01 Evaluating Potential Modifications to a Driver’s License Facility
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

2. Objectives and Outline
Learn the basics of:
The Simio user-interface
Modeling in Simio
Using the Simio Pivot Grid
Outline
Description of the system to be modeled
Introduction to the Simio user interface
Model the “current” configuration
Experiment and verify the current model
Model the “proposed” configuration
In-lab and take-home assignments
Video 1
Video 2
Video 4
Video 5
Video 3
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

3. Drivers’ License Office
Applicants arrive at a rate of approximately 10/hour.
Written Exam
The written exam is administered by one of two exam clerks. When an applicant arrives, s/he waits for an available clerk and, once one is available, takes the exam with the clerk.
The exam requires approximately 8.8 minutes.
Check In
At check-in, a single clerk checks
the applicant’s driving history
(if any) and gives the applicant the initial paperwork.
Check-in takes approximately 5 minutes.
Check Out
At check-out, the applicant completes the process using one of two check-out computers and receives his/her temporary license.
Check-out takes approximately 9 minutes.
Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System
Applicants arrive, visit a check-in clerk, take a written exam, and check-out. Approximate applicant arrival rate and service times are given.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

4. Copyright © 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
Simio User Interface
Files Menu
Ribbons
Project Tabs
Libraries
Project
Current Model
Properties
Facility View
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

5. Simio Standard Library
Source:
Generate entities of a specified type and arrival pattern.
Sink:
Destroy entities.
Server:
Capacitated process, such as a machine.
Workstation:
Capacitated process, includes setup, process, tear-down.
Combiner:
Batches entities with a parent entity (e.g., pallet).
Separator:
Splits batches or copies entities.
Resource:
Seized/Released by objects.
Vehicle:
Fixed route or on-demand pickups/drop-offs.
Worker:
Moveable resource, for stationary and non-stationary tasks.
BasicNode:
Simple intersection, fixed object input.
TransferNode:
Change destination/get rides, fixed object output.
Connector:
Zero travel time.
Path:
Entities independently move at their own speeds.
TimePath:
Entities complete travel in a specified time.
Conveyor:
Accumulating/non-accumulating conveyor devices.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
Chapter 2 - Introduction to Simio

6. Drivers’ License Office
Applicants arrive at a rate of approximately 10/hour.
Written Exam
The written exam is administered by one of two exam clerks. When an applicant arrives, s/he waits for an available clerk and, once one is available, takes the exam with the clerk.
The exam requires approximately 8.8 minutes.
Check In
At check-in, a single clerk checks
the applicant’s driving history
(if any) and gives the applicant the initial paperwork.
Check-in takes approximately 5 minutes.
Check Out
At check-out, the applicant completes the process using one of two check-out computers and receives his/her temporary license.
Check-out takes approximately 9 minutes.
Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System
Applicants arrive, visit a check-in clerk, take a written exam, and check-out. Approximate applicant arrival rate and service times are given.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

7. Drivers’ License Office
So, we need to model:
Applicant arrival process
Check-in process
Exam process
Check-out process
Applicant departure process
Applicant transfer between processes
Source
Sink
Server
Path
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

8. Build the Initial Model!
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

9. Object Hierarchy - The Family of “Objects”
Object Runspace
(Realization)
Object Instance
Show the Simio Help – look up “Object Hierarchy” and discuss the details.
(Lots of good stuff in that help topic, plus this illustrates the value of using Help).
Will discuss this again later in the course – I’ve found this topic especially tricky with students.
Definition … Instance … Runspace (Realization) :
Object Definition
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10. Initial Object Properties
Source1 (Source)
Interarrival Time: Random.Exponential(6) ; units: Minutes
CheckIn (Server)
Initial Capacity: 1 (default)
Processing Time: Random.Exponential(5) ; units: Minutes
Exam (Server)
Initial Capacity: 2
Processing Time: Random.Exponential(8.8) ; units: Minutes
CheckOut (Server)
Processing Time: Random.Exponential(9) ; units: Minutes
Sink1 (Sink)
All defaults
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

11. Copyright © 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
Editing Properties
Displayed in Properties Window
Defined by object builder
Integers, Booleans, rules, expressions, …
Expression editor (down arrow at right):
Understanding Simio expressions is critical to learning to model in Simio. They are used in many, many places.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

12. Drivers’ License Office
Applicants arrive at a rate of approximately 10/hour.
Written Exam
The written exam is administered by one of two exam clerks. When an applicant arrives, s/he waits for an available clerk and, once one is available, takes the exam with the clerk.
The exam requires approximately 8.8 minutes.
Check In
At check-in, a single clerk checks
the applicant’s driving history
(if any) and gives the applicant the initial paperwork.
Check-in takes approximately 5 minutes.
Check Out
At check-out, the applicant completes the process using one of two check-out computers and receives his/her temporary license.
Check-out takes approximately 9 minutes.
Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System
Applicants arrive, visit a check-in clerk, take a written exam, and check-out. Approximate applicant arrival rate and service times are given.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

13. Run Length and Pivot Grid
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14. Expected “Results” – Static Model
Arrival Rate (per hr) 10
IAT (mins) 6
Check-in
Exam
Check-out
Overall
Split
100.0%
Capacity 1 2
Process Time (mins) 5
8.8 9
22.8
Process Rate (per hr per unit)
12.0
6.8
6.7
Utilization
83.3%
73.3%
75.0%
Num at Station (L)
3.2
3.4
11.6
Time at Station (W - mins) 30
19.2
20.4
69.6
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

15. Drivers’ License Office
Applicants arrive at a rate of approximately 10/hour.
Written Exam
The written exam is administered by one of two exam clerks. When an applicant arrives, s/he waits for an available clerk and, once one is available, takes the exam with the clerk.
The exam requires approximately 8.8 minutes.
Check In
At check-in, a single clerk checks
the applicant’s driving history
(if any) and gives the applicant the initial paperwork.
Check-in takes approximately 5 minutes.
Check Out
At check-out, the applicant completes the process using one of two check-out computers and receives his/her temporary license.
Check-out takes approximately 9 minutes.
Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System
Applicants arrive, visit a check-in clerk, take a written exam, and check-out. Approximate applicant arrival rate and service times are given.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

16. Proposed System Modification
Written Exam
Check In
Check Out
Add an optional “computerized exam kiosk” to replace one of the two clerks. Applicants would have a choice between the exam administered by a human clerk and the computerized exam.
The computer kiosk will support two exam-takers at a time.
Initially, assume that ½ of the applicants choose the kiosk and that the exam time is the same as with the human clerk.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

17. Build the Proposed Configuration Model!
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18. Copyright © 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
In-Lab Assignment
Server Utilizations
Ck-In
M-Exam
C-Exam
Ck-Out
NIS
TIS
Current
Proposed A
Proposed B
Proposed C
Proposed A - Exponential exam times for both
Proposed B – Reduced variance on the exam times:
Human – Random.Triangular(6, 8.8, 11.6)
Kiosk – Random.Uniform(6, 11.6)
Proposed C – Same as B, but send 70% to the kiosk (hint: use Selection Weights on the alternative paths leading from check-in)
For each metric, report the average and confidence interval half-width (h) based on 25 replications, each of length 1000 hours with a 500 hour warm-up.
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

19. Copyright © 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
Homework Assignment
Starting with the “Proposed C” configuration from the in-lab assignment, implement the following exam failure logic:
When an applicant fails the exam, s/he returns to re-take the exam. The applicant should return to the same exam station (either human or computer)
Using your modified model, determine the maximum percentage of exam failures that the system can support before becoming unstable (where the exam servers cannot keep up with the arriving applicants).
Consider a walk-up bank that that has an ATM, a single teller, and a manager.
ATM customers visit the ATM and teller customers visit the teller.
10% of customers (regardless of original type) visit the manager after visiting the ATM or teller.
Arrival and service time properties are:
ATM customers arrive at the rate of 10/hour and spend approximately 4 minutes at the ATM
Teller customers arrive at the rate of 5/hour and spend approximately 7 minute at the teller
Customers that visit the manager spend approximately 20 minutes with the manager
Run 25 replications for 2000 hours each (no warmup) and determine the server utilizations and the times that the customers spend in the system (ATM customers, teller customers, customers that see the manager)
Copyright © Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved