Systems Used By a Task
In standard simulation, when you are on a task, the System Used tab allows you to define the systems used for execution of a task.
Software resources
When a task uses a service, you can indicate the number of transaction points it represents. The number of points gives an indication of use of a service by tasks.
A cost can be associated with a point so as to obtain the IS resource use cost.
Other Resources
You can specify the way in which resources are used for a task.
This can be a Consumable resource such as a postage stamp. In this case, you can specify the number consumed by the task.
Or the resource can be Consumable, for example a printer. You can then indicate the time for which the resource is used by the task.
Asynchronous allocation
It could be that a task requires several resources.
By default, these resources must all be available simultaneously so that the task can be executed. If one is not available, the others do not wait for it and the token remains in the queue.
To arrange that the resources will wait:
1. Select the task that requires availability of several resources.
2. Select the Resources tab.
3. Select the Allow asynchronous allocations check box.
The first available resource then takes a token from the queue and waits for the missing resources.
Resources on wait are not available for any other operation.
You can limit the time spent waiting for other resources.
Example of resource configuration:
A fast food service has one phone operator, three delivery drivers and two delivery vehicles.
We assume that a delivery driver can take orders when the phone operator is absent: in this case we indicate that the delivery driver is "Alternative executor" for the order taking operation.
The delivery operation requires a delivery driver and a delivery vehicle as resources.
When no delivery vehicle is available for the delivery operation, the delivery driver must wait: we must therefore "Allow asynchronous allocations" for the delivery operation.
We can specify that after 10 minutes wait for a vehicle, the delivery driver returns the order to be delivered to the queue.
We can also indicate the maximum time in the queue and specify that the order to be delivered is deleted after 15 minutes wait.