·Resource Shift
Carryover extended to Use statement – this powerful capability, introduced in
the SP1 release, has been expanded to include resources captured with a USE
statement. It enables you to carryover work started by a resource on one shift
and continue it with another unit on the next shift.
For example, hospitals operating 24 hours a day can transfer patient care from
one shift to the next.
·Output report
views and results copied with new model – when saving an existing model as a
different name, if that model also has saved Output Viewer report views, you
will be prompted and given the choice to copy the saved report views and any results
files with the new model name.
·Charts linked in
Output Viewer report views – charts are now automatically linked together if
they exist in the same report tab. This means that when you add or remove a
scenario from one chart, all other charts will have that scenario added or
removed as well. Other Filter Options can also be linked and, if desired,
charts can be unlinked so that changes only apply to the selected chart.
·Output Viewer
Items sorted in original model order – Filter Options now show all elements in
the Items list in the order they appear in the model tables. This is now the
default Item sort, however, the list can also be
sorted alphabetically.
·Move a chart
and create a new Report – if you want to move an existing chart
into its own new Report tab, simply drag the chart up to the plus “+” tab and
drop it there. A new Report tab will automatically be created with your chart
in the view.
·How-To modeling solutions – learning
how to use Process Simulator requires more than just becoming familiar with the
product features and menus. It also requires an understanding of how to use the
features to correctly create representative models of actual business
processes. The how-to solutions, now included
in the documentation, help you learn the techniques to model situations you are
likely to encounter when doing a simulation study.
·Output Viewer now has context-sensitive
online help.
·Model package install directory defaults to
where the package file resides.
·External Arrival files now support the .xlsm and .xlsb Excel file
formats.
·Container objects in Visio are now
supported as simulation objects.
·Simulations can now be run to the year
2100.
·Entity initial cost allows use of
distributions.
·Copying rows in a table supports
non-contiguous row selection.
What's New in Process Simulator 2011
With Process Simulator 2011 you are able to more easily visualize and analyze simulation results using the new Output Viewer, quickly experiment and compare model changes with independent scenarios, and simplify model building with advanced modeling constructs. Process Simulator 2011 is compatible with Microsoft Visio 2010, 2007, and 2003.
With Process Simulator 2011 SP1, you are able to easily model multi-shift facilities using the new resource shift carryover capability. You can also gain more insight into your model results with the new Output Viewer time series charts.
Features
Resource Shift Carryover
This powerful new capability allows you to carryover work started by a resource on one shift and continue it with another unit of that resource on the next. For example, manufacturing facilities that have extended task times or complex processes spanning multiple shifts or days can easily pass work from the first to the second shift. Hospitals operating 24 hours a day can transfer patient care from one shift to the next. Shift carryover works whether it’s one resource or multiple resources performing a task. Each resource will independently be interrupted to go off shift and allow resources on the next shift to resume the work. Along with this new capability, you can now assign unique calendars to specific resource units.
New Output Viewer Time Series Charts
The following are new and modified time series charts:
Activity Utilization – this new chart displays utilization of activities, as a percentage of contents versus overall capacity, over the course of the simulation run.
Resource Usage – this new chart shows how many resources were used and when over the course of the simulation. Add a capacity line to the chart and compare the actual usage against the maximum potential resource usage.
Activity State – this upgraded chart now includes the averaging of activity states across replications. It is displayed as a 100% stacked column Gantt chart over time.
Output Viewer
Originally released with ProModel 2010, the new Output Viewer has been developed in the latest Microsoft WPF technology. It simplifies the creation of views, provides quicker and more open access for modifying charts and tables, and allows for analysis and comparison of multiple output data sources. The user interface follows the Microsoft fluent UI standard and uses a ribbon for providing access to all the reporting functionality.
Specifically for the Process Simulator 2011 release, we have added the following new capability to Output Viewer:
Sort Column, Utilization, and State Charts - sort your chart data based on highest or lowest values. State charts will even let you choose which state should be sorted.
Export Time Series Data - similar to exporting Summary data, you are able to export any of your time series results from any scenario to Excel.
Change Chart Type -you are able to change the chart style from bar to line, from line to area, from pie to doughnut, etc. Choose from several different chart style options.
Independent Scenarios
Coupled with the capability introduced in the new Output Viewer, you can run new scenarios independently of each other and compare their results side by side with previously simulated scenarios.
Macros
If you have a distribution that is used in multiple places throughout your model, use a macro and then if you need to change that distribution, modify it one place! Macros can be used in almost any place in your model like activity logic, routing move time, arrival frequency, etc. You can also add them as parameters to be utilized in your scenario analysis.
Subroutines
If you find yourself writing the same logic in multiple activities throughout your model, put that logic in a subroutine. Then, simply call the subroutine from multiple logic locations. Not only will you reduce the amount of time writing logic, but when you want to make a change, you'll only need to make it in one place.
External Arrivals
Define multiple Periodic arrivals in an Excel worksheet and have them automatically initialized in your model when the simulation runs. You can also set the arriving entity's initial attribute values for things like part numbers, acuity levels, job numbers, etc.
Online Help System - gives you access to the latest documentation…all the time.
Enhancements
We Have Also Added the Following Enhancements in the 2011 SP1 Release:
Data Grouping Interval for Statistic series – when viewing the raw data for time series charts, you can now set the grouping interval if Statistic series are added to the chart.
Pooling time series statistics – Time Plot charts now have a pooling option that allows you to combine the values of the Items selected and display their joint average in the chart. Series for Statistics are also automatically pooled for all items selected and show as one joint Statistic, if the chart type has been set to stacked.
Macro availability – Macros can now be used in IF statements, Conditional and Detach routings, and Pattern arrivals.
Microsoft Visio 2010
In addition to its latest new capabilities, Process Simulator has been developed to take advantage of the new features introduced in Visio 2010. Below you will find some highlights of what Process Simulator and Visio 2010 can do for you!
Visio 2010 Application Demo
Business Process Management in Visio 2010 Premium
Microsoft Office Fluent user interface
Find and access the features and tools you need more quickly with a new user interface that is consistent with other Office applications. Process Simulator installs with its own ribbon in Visio that makes access to its functionality easier than ever.
New and improved Shapes area
The new Shapes window enables you to more quickly find and select the stencils you want, and easily move between them. Near the top of every stencil - above a faint dividing line - a new Quick Shapes area holds the shapes you want to use most often in a stencil. Process Simulator has a new stencil containing new shapes which not only help make your diagrams look more professional but also allow application of the Themes gallery.
Quick Shapes Mini Toolbar
Add shapes without leaving the drawing page with one mouse click, using a floating window that contains your most common shapes. As you hover over the Quick Shapes mini toolbar, you are given a live preview of where the shape will be placed. Click and drag on the blue arrow that appears and you are immediately changed to the Connector tool allowing you to create a connection to an existing shape on the diagram. This enables you to connect shapes without switching between the Pointer and Connector tools!
Insert and delete shapes with auto-healing
Insert new shapes into connected flow diagrams without having to move or realign existing shapes. Delete shapes from connected flow diagrams without having to delete or reconnect leftover connectors.
Page Auto Size
Create larger diagrams without worrying about the page size with an expandable canvas that automatically adjusts to your need.
Diagram Validation and new and improved Templates
Visio 2010 has new Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Six Sigma templates. Diagram Validation ensures accuracy of your BP diagrams by checking them against the BPMN business rules and logic. The Cross-Functional Flowchart template has been completely redesigned making it even easier to insert, move and modify swim lanes, among other new capabilities.
Subprocesses
Easily and automatically break complex processes in diagrams into more manageable pieces using subprocesses. Select a section of shapes in your existing diagram, choose to create a subprocess from your selection and Visio will automatically move those shapes to another page in your document, replace them in the main diagram with a single shape, and create a hyperlink to the newly create page!
Share a diagram in a browser
Publish any type of diagram (static or data-linked) to SharePoint Server 2010 using Visio Services, with just a few clicks. Diagrams are rendered in Microsoft® Silverlight™ (high-fidelity) or PNG format.
Publish to SharePoint Process Repository
Store, share, and reuse business process diagrams and subprocesses through Visio 2010 integration with SharePoint 2010 Process Repository.
