scholarly journals Criteria for the Evaluation of Business Process Simulation Tools

10.28945/3171 ◽  
2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Bosilj-Vuksic ◽  
Vlatko Ceric ◽  
Vlatka Hlupic
Keyword(s):  
Business Process ◽  
Process Simulation ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Process Change ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Change Projects

This paper focuses on a process of simulation software packages selection in the context of business process change projects. The paper presents discrete event simulation, its relation to business process modelling and examples of its practical applications in business process change projects. Features of business process simulation tools are examined, the most important simulation features are identified and the criteria for their evaluation are defined. The guidelines that could help managers in the selection of business process simulation tools are proposed. The discussion addresses the limitations of the proposed guidelines. Finally, based on the conducted research and the evaluation criteria defined within the guidelines, some directions for the further improvement of business process simulation tools are given.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF THE SELECTED SIMULATION SOFTWARE PACKAGES: A STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Kateryna Kovbasiuk ◽  
Kamil Židek ◽  
Michal Balog ◽  
Liudmyla Dobrovolska
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Software Market ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Plant Simulation ◽  
The Given

The simulation software market is becoming more complex and universal. Computer simulations are thus more accessible and are becoming a modern tool that has a wide application in industry. Their potential and benefits can be used in small and large projects. A simulation model can take into account inventory, assembly, production and human resources, leading to decisions that can maintain or improve efficiency at the lowest possible cost. The data obtained through the simulation allow to test different combinations and scenarios in the virtual world. The benefits of manufacturing simulation include reducing investment risk, minimizing waste, improving efficiency, reducing energy consumption and even increasing worker health. The question arises as to which of the possible simulation packages is the most suitable for a given company, so that the investments made are the best possible. In the first part of the paper the theoretical basis of simulation in Industry 4.0 is presented, including the description of the possible simulation modelling tools. The second part of the paper offers comparative and descriptive analysis of six selected discrete-event simulation software packages – AnyLogic, Arena, FlexSim, SIMUL8, Tecnomatix Plant Simulation and WITNESS. The given simulation tools are compared based on their main characteristics, simulation features, application areas and popularity among the companies which use simulation software packages.

scholarly journals Analysis and Optimization of Two Film-Coated Tablet Production Processes by Computer Simulation: A Case Study

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Stefanie Hering ◽  
Nico Schäuble ◽  
Thomas M. Buck ◽  
Brigitta Loretz ◽  
Thomas Rillmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Processing Times ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Coated Tablet ◽  
Pharmaceutical Production

Increasing regulatory demands are forcing the pharmaceutical industry to invest its available resources carefully. This is especially challenging for small- and middle-sized companies. Computer simulation software like FlexSim allows one to explore variations in production processes without the need to interrupt the running process. Here, we applied a discrete-event simulation to two approved film-coated tablet production processes. The simulations were performed with FlexSim (FlexSim Deutschland—Ingenieurbüro für Simulationsdienstleistung Ralf Gruber, Kirchlengern, Germany). Process visualization was done using Cmap Tools (Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Pensacola, FL, USA), and statistical analysis used MiniTab® (Minitab GmbH, Munich, Germany). The most critical elements identified during model building were the model logic, operating schedule, and processing times. These factors were graphically and statistically verified. To optimize the utilization of employees, three different shift systems were simulated, thereby revealing the advantages of two-shift and one-and-a-half-shift systems compared to a one-shift system. Without the need to interrupt any currently running production processes, we found that changing the shift system could save 50–53% of the campaign duration and 9–14% of the labor costs. In summary, we demonstrated that FlexSim, which is mainly used in logistics, can also be advantageously implemented for modeling and optimizing pharmaceutical production processes.

Discrete Event Simulation Of The COVID-19 Sample Collection Point Operation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Kuncova ◽  
Katerina Svitkova ◽  
Alena Vackova ◽  
Milena Vankova
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
The Real ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Collection Process ◽  
Collection Point

The year 2020 was very challenging for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people turn their lives upside down from day to day. Politicians had to impose completely unprecedented measures, and doctors immediately had to adapt to the huge influx of patients and the massive demand for testing. Of course, not all processes could be planned completely efficiently, given that the situation literally changes from minute to minute, but sometimes better planning could improve the real processes. This contribution deals with the application of simulation software SIMUL8 to the analysis of the COVID-19 sample collection process in a drive-in point in a hospital. The main aim is to create a model based on the real data and then to find out the suitable number of other staff (medics) helping a doctor during the process to decrease the number of unattended patients and their waiting times.

scholarly journals Optimization of tillage and sowing operations using discrete event simulation 

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 187-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armaghan Kosari Moghaddam ◽  
Hassan Sadrnia ◽  
Hassan Aghel ◽  
Mohammad Bannayan
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Field Size ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Event Simulation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Average Work ◽  
Work Method

A simulation model was developed for secondary tillage and sowing operations in autumn, using discrete event simulation technique in Arena<sup>®</sup> simulation software (Version 14). Eight machinery sets were evaluated on a 50-hectare farm. Total costs including fixed-costs, variable costs and timeliness costs were calculated for each machinery set. Timeliness costs were estimated for 21-years period on daily basis (Daily Work method) and compared with another method (Average Work method) based on the equation proposed by ASAE Standards, EP 496.3FEB2006. The Inputs of the model were machinery sets, field size, machines performances and daily soil workability state. The optimization criteria were the lowest costs and lowest standard deviation in daily work method plus the lowest costs based on average work method. The validity of the model was evaluated by comparing the output of the model with field observed data collected from various farms. Results revealed that there was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.01) between the observed and predicted finish day. 

Modeling and analysis of business process reengineering strategies for improving emergency department efficiency

SIMULATION ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharan Srinivas ◽  
Roland Paul Nazareth ◽  
Md Shoriat Ullah
Keyword(s):  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Business Process ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Business Process Reengineering ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Process Reengineering ◽  
Process Change

Emergency departments (ED) in the USA treat 136.9 million cases annually and account for nearly half of all medical care delivered. Due to high demand and limited resource (such as doctors and beds) availability, the median waiting time for ED patients is around 90 minutes. This research is motivated by a real-life case study of an ED located in central Missouri, USA, which faces the problem of congestion and improper workload distribution (e.g., overburdened ED doctors). The objective of this paper is to minimize patient waiting time and efficiently allocate workload among resources in an economical manner. The systematic framework of Business Process Reengineering (BPR), along with discrete-event simulation modeling approach, is employed to analyze current operations and potential improvement strategies. Alternative scenarios pertaining to process change, workforce planning, and capacity expansion are proposed. Besides process performance measures (waiting time and resource utilization), other criteria, such as responsiveness, cost of adoption, and associated risk, are also considered for evaluating an alternative. The experimental analysis indicates that a change in the triage process (evenly distributing medium-acuity patients among doctors and mid-level providers) is economical, easy to implement, reduces physician workload, and improves average waiting time by 20%, thereby making it attractive for short-term adoption. On the other hand, optimizing the workforce level based on historical demand patterns while adopting a triage process change delivers the best performance (84% reduction in waiting time and balanced resource utilization), and is recommended as a long-term solution.

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