1. Using the Input Analyzer

2. Need to have A text file with numbers
A “hard” return after each number
no commas, no tabs
Example
5.2 4
-100

3. Open Input Analyzer in Arena Folder

4. The application would look like this:

5. Go to File, New

6. This should happen: a file called Input1 (or Input2, or InputX)

7. Go to File, Data File, Use Existing

8. Next change the file type to txt

9. Next find your file

10. The software will automatically create a histogram

11. Go to Fit, select Fit All

12. The Input Analyzer will provide the expression for the best fit

13. But sometimes is better to use another distribution
The most commonly used distributions for simple simulation models are
Uniform
Triangular
Exponential
Thus we can use the one (from the 3 above) with the lowest error

14. To view the error of all the distributions (as to select a known distribution) go to Fit All Summary

15. The software will show the error for all the distribution it analyzes
The software will show the error for all the distribution it analyzes. In this case, out of Expo, Uniform and Triangular, the smallest error is the Triangular

16. So we should use the Triangular distribution
So we should use the Triangular distribution. To get the parameters go to Fit, select Triangular.

17. Nothings shows, must click in the other Window (to make it active)
Click here, in the other Window

18. Done
Now the raw data has been characterized as a random variable. In this case a Triangular Distribution with TRIA(-0.5, 5, 12.5)
Note that in this case the minimum is a negative value. Processing times or arrival times cannot be negative. Thus when implementing in Arena this needs to be modified to TRIA (0,5,12.5)