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New Resource Features
Last month we launched SIMUL8 2008 software. This newsletter describes the new resource object features which have been incorporated into this latest release.
- Assign Resource by Label
- Assign Resource by Matrix
- Time Waiting for Resource
Assign Resource by Label
There
are many scenarios where you would like different Resources to handle
work under different circumstances. This can be done by creating lots
of different work centers with different resource assignments and
controlling the routing appropriately but this can make your structure
overly complicated.
So
now you can add all your resources to the one Work Center then check
one box and SIMUL8 will select the appropriate Resource from the list
depending on the label value on the work item. In the Resource section of a work centre, check the 'Select resource by label' checkbox and select the Label to be used.

The
chosen Label's value must then be positive integers from 1 (i.e. a
Label with value '2' will cause the work to require the second resource
in the 'Resources Required' list above)
Assign Resource by Matrix
The
Resource Matrix is a method of entering, reviewing and editing resource
assignments to work centers. The Resource Matrix can be accessed via
Object > Resource Matrix.If
you have lots of Work Centers to assign Resources to, or just want to
double check you have assigned them all correctly it can be really
tedious having to go into every Work Center dialog. This new feature
allows you to see a matrix view of all the Work Centers and Resources
and the assignments that have been made. You can also assign Resources
directly in the dialog by just typing the number required by each Work
Center to process a work item.
The Resource Matrix consists of 2 tabs:
Work Centers - Operational tab
This
shows the list of Work Centers available in the model in the rows of
the matrix and the available Resources in the columns. The content of
the matrix details the quantity of the resource to the work center. To
edit the quantity of a resource enter the number of resources in the
cell that relates to the Work Center and Resource to be added. Multiple
resources can be added by specifying the number of each resource in the
appropriate cells. A different minimum and maximum number of resources
can be specified using a "-" e.g. 1 - 2, 1 - 5 etc (please note the
spaces are important)
If
a cell is double-clicked then the Resource Required dialog for the
selected Work Center is opened to allow editing of the Resource details
for that Work Center. If a cell is double-clicked whilst holding the
SHIFT key the Resource Property dialog is opened to allow editing of
the Resource properties.

Pools tab
This
shows the list of available Pooled Resources within the simulation in
the rows and available resources that can be assigned to each pool in
the columns. To assign a resource to a pool enter a non-zero integer
number into the appropriate cell. The value of the number has no
significance other than blank or zero relates to no assignment). If a
cell is double-clicked then the Resource Property dialog is opened to
allow editing of the Resource properties. If a cell is double-clicked
whilst holding the SHIFT key the Pooled Resource Property dialog is
opened to allow editing of the Pooled Resource properties.

Time Waiting for Resource
This
new statistic reports the percentage of time that a Work Center is
remaining idle when there are work items that can be processed but no
resources of the correct type are available. This is collected when the
"Separate Waiting time from Resource Starved Time" check box in the
Results tab of the Preferences is checked.

Each
Work Center will then report this statistic in the Results Dialog and
subsequent utilisation charts will reflect the new statistic.
 Upgrade to SIMUL8 2008 today to start taking advantage of these new resource features. If you have any questions regarding these please email support@SIMUL8.com, we would be happy to help.
Buy SIMUL8 2008 before 31st May to Get Free Support!
- 2 Free Hours of Direct Modeling Support (DMS) on any purchases of SIMUL8 2008.
- Additional 20% Discount Voucher for Support Services with purchases of SIMUL8 Professional 2008 Full Edition and Upgrades from SIMUL8 Standard to SIMUL8 Professional 2008.
For full details on the new features in SIMUL8 2008 software take our 2008 Feature Tour. Quote Voucher Code DMS0508 when purchasing SIMUL8 2008 to take advantage of this offer.
(Free
DMS hours and 20% Discount Voucher for this offer valid until
31st July 08. Discount Voucher can be redeemed against DIRECT
SIMUL8 Support Services including DMS and Training and is not
applicable to services provided by external resellers or training
providers.)
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