Custom Dashboard Cost Components

[pieter_cecat]

[ FlexSim 16.0.8 ]

Hi everyone!

I have built my model and want to start using it now to analyze its output. However, I am stuck once again. I have added a dashboard to my model in order to calculate my different cost components but noticed there are only limited options with respect to costs or financial details in general. I checked the tutorial but didn't get much wiser, which is why I am posting this question.

I want to calculate the following 5 cost types for every period (+ total) of my simulation:

(1 period = 1 month = 720 time units) (simulation time = 6 periods = 4320 time units) (every queue has its unique item type)

1. SETUP COST (depending on which queues release material in a period) for every item type as well as total [fixed cost incurred when certain queue releases material in a period] A setup cost should be incurred when M_INV releases material and a different setup cost when at least one of the five R_INV_Qs releases material.
2. HOLDING COST (unique for every queue and only taken into account at the end of every period) for every queue (except for the following 2 queues: 'graded_cores_inv' and 'ungraded_cores_inv') as well as total [variable cost for remaining items in queue at end period]
3. PROCESSING COST (unique for every item type (1,2,3,4,5,6) that passes the processor) for every item type as well as total [variable cost depending on quantity processed in a period]
4. GRADING COST (multiply values from 2 global tables: 1 with grading quantity per period and 1 with grading cost per period) [variable cost depending on quantity graded in a period]
5. OVERTIME COST (multiply values from 2 global tables: 1 with overtime quantity per period and 1 with grading cost per period) [variable cost depending on overtime in a period]

For each of these 5 cost components I'd like a graph displaying the time evolution (cumulative) over all 6 time periods of my simulation. Furthermore I'd like a table/graph with all 5 components as well as the total cost (= sum of the totals of those 5 cost components) over time.

Fill rate/service level too should be put in a graph. A table with backorders is available so the computation is pretty straighforward: 1 - backorders/total demand. However, I did not find how to address this in FlexSim...

I was also wondering if it is possible to use the experimenter to set different parameter values for my cost factors and then create a graph which shows both TOTAL COST CURVE and FILL RATE/SERVICE LEVEL for every parameter value to compare them side by side.

The model I am working on is attached. 6m.fsm

Please ask if something is not well explained. I tried my best to be as clear as possible.Thanks in advance for all the help/support! I strongy appreciate it!!

PS: I was looking for ways to copy the graphs/tables to a Word document but read this can not be done by simply using ctrl c -> ctrl v. How can I most easily acces them outside Flexsim?

[kaspar_chabot]

Hi Pieter, Tracked Variables Have you tried taking a look at this? You can make custom statistics by using tracked variables and their commands. As for the copy paste function, if I'm not mistaken it's been put on the list for development. In the mean time, you can get around it by using a screenshot tool (such as gyazo, puush, snagit...). Hope this helps!

[kaspar_chabot]

Also, it's better to put different questions in different posts, that way people who can answer one question but not all three can help you more quickly. It's also off-putting for most people to read long posts (requiring long replies).

[pieter_cecat]

Hi @Kaspar Chabot

I appreciate your quick reply. Indeed, it might be better to break up my post in 2 or 3 separate ones. However, I thought it would be easier to describe the entire problem as all my questions are in the end related to my 'dashboard'. The screenshot tool is a good recommendation for now, I will look into it!

[Ben_WilsonADSK]

Speaking of screenshot tools, I really like the free and open-source Greenshot.

Also, later this year with FlexSim 17.2 you will be able to simply copy a dashboard (Ctrl-C), and then paste it as an image (Ctrl-V) into another application. See this idea.

[SCHamoen]

@Pieter Cecat Concering copying the graphs, right click on a graph and it gives you an option to export to *.png and then you can easily drag it into word.

[SCHamoen · Accepted solution]

@Pieter Cecat I took 1 cost and added that to your model to give you ideas on how to solve it for all your costs. I first focused on the holding costs of the queue. I made a table that per period stores the cost for each queue. To do that I made a table (costtable) that has a price per time unit. On the onexit of the queues I multiply that cost with the time the item stayed in the queue and write the result to the table. I added a label to every queue with a number that is used as a row pointer in the holdingcost table.

I have added a global variable called "period" and I increase that every 720 time units with a user event. This is used as a column pointer in the holding cost table.

I also created a userevent that every 24 time units writes a value to a tracked variable and that tracked variable is shown in a graph.Ofcourse you can do this every 1 time unit or also on the onexit of the queue.

Because I put the costs per time unit in a table you can use that table in the experimenter and increase the cost for the different scenarios.

I hope this helps you create the results you want. And because you write the results to a table you can also copy the results to excel and use that for further analysis.

Hope this helps you further.

5897-6m-tal.fsm

[pieter_cecat]

Thank you @steven.hamoen for this elaborate resonse. I indeed think tracked variables are the way to go for visualizing my costs.

The holding cost should only be calculated for the remaining items at the end of every 720 time units, not continuously, which is why I moved that code to the OnMessage trigger and execute it every time a message arrives (delay = 720)

2 minor remarks:

Firstly, why do you calculate the curValue and add it? I assume I can drop that line if my table is cleared/empty on reset.

Secondly, I suppose I can add rows and columns to the CostTable when costs are different for different queues and at different times. However, I was wondering if it is possible to then change that entire table at once in the experimenter?

[pieter_cecat]

It is indeed a very useful tool, thanks for sharing!

[SCHamoen]

@Pieter Cecat I calculate the curvalue because value only calculates the cost for every individual item and I thought you needed the total so I have to add what I just calculated with that what is already in the table.

For the other question see my other answer:Other anser