Proceedings of the 1997 Winter Simulation Conference

ed. S. Andraddttir, K. J. Healy, D. H. Withers, and B. L. Nelson

ARENA@SOFTWARE TUTORIAL

David A. Takus
David M. Profozich

SystemsModeling Corporation
504 Beaver Street
Sewickley, Pennsylvania 15143,U.S.A.

ABSTRACT features as machine downtime and maintenance

schedules.For material handling applications, modules
The Arena modeling system from Systems Modeling exist for representing conveyors (synchronous and asyn-
Corporation is a flexible and powerful tool that allows chronous) and various types of transportation devices.
analyststo create animated simulation modelsthat accu- Three panels compose the Arena template: the
rately represent virtually any system. First released in Common panel, containing modules representing
1993, Arena employs an object-oriented design for fundamental simulation processes such as arrivals,
entirely graphical model development. Simulation service, and departures; the Support panel, containing
analysts place graphical objects--called modules-on a supplemental modules for specific actions and decision
layout in order to define system components such as logic; and the Transfer panel, whose modules are used
machines, operators, and material handling devices. to model the transfer (or flow) of entities through the
Arena is built on the SIMAN simulation language. system.Modules from these panels may be combined in
After creating a simulation model graphically, Arena the samemodel or may be usedwith other ASTs.
automatically generates the underlying SIMAN model In order to develop a simulation model using the
usedto perform simulation runs. Arena template, the user simply picks a module, places
The graphical modules used by simulation analysts it in the model, and then is prompted for the necessary
to create models are provided “off-the-shelf’ with information. For example, when placing the Server
Arena. These modules can also be custom designed by module from the Arena template, the user is asked for
the end user to produce a modeling environment that is such information as how long entities spend at the
tailored to a specific application area (e.g., welding, server, the server’s operating schedule, and where
cross-dock, etc.) or a specific vertical market (e.g., entities should go. After responding with the
semiconductor,textiles, etc.). The resulting collection of appropriate information, the user closes the dialog to
user-createdmodules is contained inside an Application acceptthe completedmodule.
Solution Template (AST) that can be shared by any Animation is automatically included with many of
licensed Arena user. the modules in the Arena template to allow for rapid
development of both a simulation model and
1 THE PRIMARY TEMPLATE - ARENA accompanying animation. Graphics symbols that are
automatically provided when placing a module from the
The Arena template is the core collection of more than Arena template can be changed with Arena’s built-in
60 modules provided as part of the general Arena graphics tools (similar to CAD systems) or can be
system. It was designed to provide a general-purpose replaced with icons from Arena’s symbol library or
collection of modeling features for all types of from external applications (e.g., clip art).
applications. In addition to providing core features for
resources, queueing, inspection, system logic, and 2 ANIMATION
external file interface, the Arena template provides
modules specifically focused on specific aspects of Arena animations can be run either concurrently with
manufacturing and material handling. For mamrfac- the executing simulation model or in post-processmode.
Wing, it contains modules that incorporate such Animations can be created in several ways: they can be

541
542 Takus and Profozich

created entirely using Arena’s graphics drawing tools, for those who are more experienced. More experienced
they can be created from AutoCAD or other .DXF tile users typically use the Wizard to build a base level
formats, they can be created in other tools and imported application quickly that they will substantially embellish
to Arena via Active X (formerly known as OLE), they using modules from the Arena template or other AST’s
can be created by using other Windows”compliant outside of the Wizard itself.
drawing systemsthat can be pasted into Arena layouts,
or any combination of the above. 5 CUSTOM DEVELOPMENT OF AST’S WITH
Arena’s drawing tools include all standard CAD ARENA PROFESSIONAL EDITION
objects (e.g., rectangle, ellipse, arc, text, etc.) and pro-
vides virtually unlimited color selection. Arena’s inter- A user can create a customized collection of graphical
face with .DXF file formats was developedto allow for a modules by using the features contained in the Profes-
direct import of CAD drawings to provide the sional Edition version of Arena. For example, a user
animation background and dynamic icons. Once the working in the automotive industry may wish to develop
drawings have been imported to Arena, the user can a custom AST that contains modules for simulating
take advantageof Arena’s drawing tool to embellish the welding lines quickly. User-created modules have
layout. Dynamic paths contained in the CAD drawing focused dialogs, animation, and modeling functionality.
can be used directly in Arena by “promoting” the paths. Arena’s hierarchy allows for the creation of higher-level
.DXF files containing dynamic icons can also be used in modules from those contained in the Arena template,
Arena. the SIMAN template, and/or other AST’s.
Arena includes various animation options for real- Various AST’s exist on the market today-some of
time display of model statistics. For example, the user which have been created and commercialized by
can place dynamic plots, histograms, levels, and time Systems Modeling Corporation, others that were
clocks directly within a simulation in order to illustrate developedby other organizations who are licensed users
system status as the model performs. This information for Arena Professional Edition. Currently available
is displayed on a real-time basis as well as on a post- AST’s include BP$im, Call$im, and HiSpeed$im from
processbasis in the Arena statistical summary report. SystemsModeling. Other organizations have developed
AST’s for such applications as automotive, production,
3 FLOWCHART MODEL DEVELOPMENT process/chemicalsystems,forest resource management,
and railroad operations.
Arena was designedto make creating simulation models
an entirely graphical process. All systembehaviors are 6 SIMAN
represented by using the graphical modules described
above. For system logic such as IF/TI-lEN/ELSE-type The core technology of Arena is the SIMAN simulation
branching and queue selection rules, the user creates a language. The modules contained in the Arena template
flowchart of his system by placing the appropriate were created using SIMAN’s modeling blocks as their
graphical modules on the Arena layout and directly con- components. This hierarchical concept prevails
necting these modules. Non-animated modules from the throughout the Arena template and other AST’s that
Arena template that make up the majority of this flow- can be used within Arena. SIMAN blocks are made
chart can be freely interspersed with modules that available to all Arena users in the SIMAN template.
contain animation. SIMAN modules provide the user with increased
flexibility and increasedcontrol of detailed systemlogic.
4 MODEL JUMP-START WIZARD Those users who have become accustomed to writing
SIMAN code directly in a text editor are able to do so
When first starting a simulation model in Arena, the within Arena. In this case,Arena provides an option for
user may opt to utilize the Model Jump-Start Wizard. directly recognizing this code, which is contained in a
This technology allows for the rapid description of key file external to the Arena graphical modeling environ-
systemparameterssuch as the number of stations, entity ment.
or product information, and other data relevant to a
model. After answering a series of questions regarding 7 INTEGRATION VIA ACTIVE X, DAO, AND
the new model, the Model Jump-Start Wizard rapidly ODBC
creates a base-level simulation model using this
information. Arena is a Microsoft@Windows 95 and Window? NT
The Model Jump-Start Wizard was designed for compliant product. The entire product was developed
users who are new to simulation and Arena, as well as using Microsoft’s Foundation Classes (MFC) and is
 Arena Software Tutorial 543

written in object-oriented Visual C!teTM. This allows example, once a valid model has been developed
users to leverage Microsoft’s open architecture to inte- accurately representing the user’s system, it is often
grate external data and applications with Arena models. us&l to find out what the effects are on that system
Arena is also Microsoft@ Office compliant, that means basedon whether inputl, input2, or input3 is used. The
that it utilizes all of the standard user interface options output from these runs can then be analyzed via output
(e.g., toolbar buttons, function keys, etc.) that are in use reports or within the Output Analyzer.
in all Microsoft’@Office products.
Arena’s support of Active X (formerly known as 10 REAL-TIME CONTROL/MONITORING
OLE) allows the user to embed other technologies such
as Excel@spreadsheets,Microsoft@Word files, clipart, An extension to Arena (called Arena RT) is available
and Microsoft@ PowerPoint@ presentations within for the purpose of using a simulation model to interact
simulation models. with external client applications. This interaction is
Arena’s support of DA0 (Data AccessObjects) and performed via an online messaging system. For
ODBC (Open DatabaseConnectivity) allows the user to example, the simulation model might contain aggre-
integrate all databasesystemsthat are compliant with gate-level systemlogic that sendstasks in real-time to a
Microsoft’s ODBC standard. Model data contained in facility’s shop floor control system.In this case,Arena’s
products like FoxPro” database, Excel”, Oracle@, client might be a messaging queue that interfaces
Informix@, and many others can easily be read into an directly with PLCs. After completion of this operation
Arena model without taking the time to enter it (automated or manual), a messageis sent back to the
manually. For example, if a user has an Excel” file model so that the simulation can be updated and further
containing information on a manufacturing process instructions can be issued. During the execution of the
plan, it can be directly imported to an Arena model via model, the simulation and actual shop floor could
an ODBC wizard. operate concurrently. The animation could serve as a
real-time monitoring device.
8 INPUT/OUTPUT ANALYZERS In addition to providing real-time control and
monitoring of the shop floor, Arena RT provides the
Arena contains additional tools that are valuable for ability to spawn a concurrent model session so that the
successfully conducting entire simulation projects. The shop floor manager can look ahead at system perform-
Input Analyzer is useful for determining an appropriate ance while the factory is operating. This allows for the
distribution for input to an Arena model. The Input change of system configuration parameters in order to
Analyzer allows the user to take raw data (e.g., time improve performance.
studies on process breakdowns or historically based
order level information) and fit it to a statistical 11 CONCLUSION
distribution. This distribution then can be incorporated
directly into your model. This paper has provided a basic overview of the Arena
The Output Analyzer is used to display and analyze simulation system.A more complete review of the prod-
model data atherthe simulation run (or runs) has been uct can be arranged by contacting Systems Modeling
performed. Graphical display options include plots, cor- Corporation. Also, additional information can be
mlograms,histograms,and more.Multiple replicationscan obtained on vertical market AST’s offered for use in
be displayedon a single chart or canbe lumpedtogetherfor conjunction with Arena.
display of the aggregateperformanceover multiple runs. Arena is currently installed in more than 1,500
The Output Analyzer also provides analysisfeaturessuch sites worldwide. It has been successfully used to
as confidenceintervals, one-wayanalysisof variance, and simulate many types of manufacturing systems (e.g.,
comparisons(of multiple systems).Both the Input and automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer goods,
Output Analyzers are directly availableon the Arena Tools etc.) as well as applications in BPR health care, call
menu. centers,warehousing, distribution, and more.
ArenahasbeencertitiedbyMicrosofi@asafully
9 SCENARIO MANAGER compliantWindows@95 and Windows@’ NT application

In order to managethe execution of multiple simulation AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES

runs, Arena’s Scenario Manager provides an integrated
environment for easy setup. The Scenario Manager DAVID TAKUS is senior software developer at
allows the user to specify multiple executions SystemsModeling Corp., a role which allows him the
(scenarios) of a model to be run on a batch basis. For
544 Takus and Profozich

freedom to pretty much run rampant through nearly all

parts of the Arena product code base. Prior to joining
SM in 1989, he worked for General Motors
Corporation’s Truck and Bus Group, where he was one
of SM’s first Cinema users. He received his bachelor’s
degree in Computer and Information Science from
Oakland University.

DAVID M. PROFOZICH is Vice President of sales

and marketing for SystemsModeling Corporation. He is
author of the book, Managing Change with Business
Process Simulation from Prentice Hall. With SM since
1987, David directs the salesand marketing staff in two
U.S. locations. He received his B.A. from Pennsylvania
State University and an MBA from the Joseph Katz
Graduate School of Business at the University of
Pittsburgh.