Learning Simio Lab Series

1
Lab Module 01
Evaluating Potential
Modifications to a Drivers
License Facility
Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

Objectives and Outline

Objectives
Learn the basics of:
The Simio user-interface
Modeling in Simio
Using the Simio Pivot Grid

Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Description of the system to be modeled

Video 1
Introduction to the Simio user interface
Model the current configuration
Video 2
Experiment and verify the current model
Video 3
Model the proposed configuration Video 4
In-lab and take-home assignments
Video 5
Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

Drivers License Office

Check In

Applicants arrive
at a rate of
approximately
10/hour.

Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System

At check-in, a single
clerk checks
the applicants
driving history
(if any) and gives
the applicant the
initial paperwork.
Check-in takes
approximately 5
minutes.

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.

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

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.

Simio User Interface

Files Menu
Ribbons
Project Tabs
Libraries
Project
Current
Model
Properties
Facility View

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

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 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

Drivers License Office

Check In

Applicants arrive
at a rate of
approximately
10/hour.

Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System

At check-in, a single
clerk checks
the applicants
driving history
(if any) and gives
the applicant the
initial paperwork.
Check-in takes
approximately 5
minutes.

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.

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

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.

Drivers License Office

So, we need to model:
Applicant arrival process

Source

Check-in process

Server

Exam process

Server
Server

Check-out process
Applicant departure process
Applicant transfer between processes

Sink
Path

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

Build the Initial Model!

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

Object Hierarchy - The Family of Objects

Object Instance

Object Runspace
(Realization)

Object
Definition

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

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)
Initial Capacity: 2
Processing Time: Random.Exponential(9) ; units: Minutes

Sink1 (Sink)
All defaults
Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

10

Editing Properties

Displayed in Properties Window

Defined by object builder
Integers, Booleans, rules, expressions,
Expression editor (down arrow at right):

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

11

Drivers License Office

Check In

Applicants arrive
at a rate of
approximately
10/hour.

Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System

At check-in, a single
clerk checks
the applicants
driving history
(if any) and gives
the applicant the
initial paperwork.
Check-in takes
approximately 5
minutes.

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.

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

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.

12

Run Length and Pivot Grid

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

13

Expected Results Static Model

Arrival Rate (per hr)

10

IAT (mins)

6
Check-in

Exam Check-out

Overall

Split

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Capacity

Process Time (mins)

8.8

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 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

22.8

14

Drivers License Office

Check In

Applicants arrive
at a rate of
approximately
10/hour.

Performance Metrics:
Server Utilizations
Time In System
Number In System

At check-in, a single
clerk checks
the applicants
driving history
(if any) and gives
the applicant the
initial paperwork.
Check-in takes
approximately 5
minutes.

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.

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

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.

15

Proposed System Modification

Check In

Written
Exam

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 of the applicants
choose the kiosk and that the exam time
is the same as with the human clerk.
Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

16

Build the Proposed Configuration Model!

Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

17

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 checkin)
For each metric, report the average and confidence interval
half-width (h) based on 25 replications, each of length 1000
Copyright 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved
18
hours with a 500 hour warm-up.

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

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 2013 - Jeffrey S. Smith | All Rights Reserved

19