Proceedings of the 1997 Winter Simulation Conference

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

ARENA® SOFTWARE TUTORIAL

David A. Takus
David M. Profozich

Systems Modeling Corporation

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

ABSTRACT material handling applications, modules exist for

representing conveyors (synchronous and asynchronous)
The Arena modeling system from Systems Modeling and various types of transportation devices.
Corporation is a flexible and powerful tool that allows Three panels compose the Arena template: the
analysts to create animated simulation models that accu- Common panel, containing modules representing funda-
rately represent virtually any system. First released in mental simulation processes such as arrivals, service,
1993, Arena employs an object-oriented design for and departures; the Support panel, containing
entirely graphical model development. Simulation supplemental modules for specific actions and decision
analysts place graphical objects—called modules—on a logic; and the Transfer panel, whose modules are used to
layout in order to define system components such as model the transfer (or flow) of entities through the
machines, operators, and material handling devices. system. Modules from these panels may be combined in
Arena is built on the SIMAN simulation language. After the same model or may be used with other ASTs.
creating a simulation model graphically, Arena In order to develop a simulation model using the
automatically generates the underlying SIMAN model Arena template, the user simply picks a module, places it
used to perform simulation runs. in the model, and then is prompted for the necessary
The graphical modules used by simulation analysts information. For example, when placing the Server
to create models are provided “off-the-shelf” with module from the Arena template, the user is asked for
Arena. These modules can also be custom designed by such information as how long entities spend at the
the end user to produce a modeling environment that is server, the server’s operating schedule, and where
tailored to a specific application area (e.g., welding, entities should go. After responding with the appropriate
cross-dock, etc.) or a specific vertical market (e.g., information, the user closes the dialog to accept the com-
semiconductor, textiles, etc.). The resulting collection of pleted module.
user-created modules is contained inside an Application Animation is automatically included with many of
Solution Template (AST) that can be shared by any the modules in the Arena template to allow for rapid
licensed Arena user. development of both a simulation model and
accompanying animation. Graphics symbols that are
1 THE PRIMARY TEMPLATE — ARENA automatically provided when placing a module from the
Arena template can be changed with Arena’s built-in
The Arena template is the core collection of more than graphics tools (similar to CAD systems) or can be
60 modules provided as part of the general Arena replaced with icons from Arena’s symbol library or from
system. It was designed to provide a general-purpose external applications (e.g., clip art).
collection of modeling features for all types of
applications. In addition to providing core features for 2 ANIMATION
resources, queueing, inspection, system logic, and
external file interface, the Arena template provides Arena animations can be run either concurrently with the
modules specifically focused on specific aspects of executing simulation model or in post-process mode.
manufacturing and material handling. For manufac- Animations can be created in several ways: they can be
turing, it contains modules that incorporate such features created entirely using Arena’s graphics drawing tools,
as machine downtime and maintenance schedules. For they can be created from AutoCAD or other .DXF file
541
542 Takus and Profozich

formats, they can be created in other tools and imported using modules from the Arena template or other AST’s
to Arena via Active X (formerly known as OLE), they outside of the Wizard itself.
can be created by using other Windows®-compliant
drawing systems that can be pasted into Arena layouts, 5 CUSTOM DEVELOPMENT OF AST’S WITH
or any combination of the above. ARENA PROFESSIONAL EDITION
Arena’s drawing tools include all standard CAD
objects (e.g., rectangle, ellipse, arc, text, etc.) and pro- A user can create a customized collection of graphical
vides virtually unlimited color selection. Arena’s inter- modules by using the features contained in the Profes-
face with .DXF file formats was developed to allow for a sional Edition version of Arena. For example, a user
direct import of CAD drawings to provide the animation working in the automotive industry may wish to develop
background and dynamic icons. Once the drawings have a custom AST that contains modules for simulating
been imported to Arena, the user can take advantage of welding lines quickly. User-created modules have
Arena’s drawing tool to embellish the layout. Dynamic focused dialogs, animation, and modeling functionality.
paths contained in the CAD drawing can be used directly Arena’s hierarchy allows for the creation of higher-level
in Arena by “promoting” the paths. .DXF files modules from those contained in the Arena template, the
containing dynamic icons can also be used in Arena. 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 developed by other organizations who are licensed users
system status as the model performs. This information is for Arena Professional Edition. Currently available
displayed on a real-time basis as well as on a post- AST’s include BP$im, Call$im, and HiSpeed$im from
process basis in the Arena statistical summary report. Systems Modeling. Other organizations have developed
AST’s for such applications as automotive, production,
3 FLOWCHART MODEL DEVELOPMENT process/chemical systems, forest resource management,
and railroad operations.
Arena was designed to make creating simulation models
an entirely graphical process. All system behaviors are 6 SIMAN
represented by using the graphical modules described
above. For system logic such as IF/THEN/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 through-
necting these modules. Non-animated modules from the out the Arena template and other AST’s that can be used
Arena template that make up the majority of this flow- within Arena. SIMAN blocks are made available to all
chart can be freely interspersed with modules that Arena users in the SIMAN template.
contain animation. SIMAN modules provide the user with increased
flexibility and increased control of detailed system logic.
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 user within Arena. In this case, Arena provides an option for
may opt to utilize the Model Jump-Start Wizard. This directly recognizing this code, which is contained in a
technology allows for the rapid description of key file external to the Arena graphical modeling environ-
system parameters such 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 Windows® 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
for those who are more experienced. More experienced written in object-oriented Visual C++™. This allows
users typically use the Wizard to build a base level appli- users to leverage Microsoft’s open architecture to inte-
cation quickly that they will substantially embellish grate external data and applications with Arena models.
 Arena Software Tutorial 543

Arena is also Microsoft® Office compliant, that means based on whether input1, 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 for
and Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations within the purpose of using a simulation model to interact with
simulation models. external client applications. This interaction is
Arena’s support of DAO (Data Access Objects) and performed via an online messaging system. For example,
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) allows the user to the simulation model might contain aggregate-level
integrate all database systems that are compliant with system logic that sends tasks in real-time to a facility’s
Microsoft’s ODBC standard. Model data contained in shop floor control system. In this case, Arena’s client
products like FoxPro® database, Excel®, Oracle®, might be a messaging queue that interfaces directly with
Informix®, and many others can easily be read into an PLCs. After completion of this operation (automated or
Arena model without taking the time to enter it manual), a message is sent back to the model so that the
manually. For example, if a user has an Excel® file simulation can be updated and further instructions can be
containing information on a manufacturing process plan, issued. During the execution of the model, the
it can be directly imported to an Arena model via an simulation and actual shop floor could operate
ODBC wizard. 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 suc- ability to spawn a concurrent model session so that the
cessfully 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 distribu- 11 CONCLUSION
tion. 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 after the 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
relograms, histograms, and more. Multiple replications can obtained on vertical market AST’s offered for use in
be displayed on a single chart or can be lumped together conjunction with Arena.
for display of the aggregate performance over multiple Arena is currently installed in more than 1,500 sites
runs. The Output Analyzer also provides analysis features worldwide. It has been successfully used to simulate
such as confidence intervals, one-way analysis of variance, many types of manufacturing systems (e.g., automotive,
and comparisons (of multiple systems). Both the Input and aerospace, electronics, consumer goods, etc.) as well as
Output Analyzers are directly available on the Arena Tools applications in BPR, health care, call centers, warehous-
menu. ing, distribution, and more.
Arena has been certified by Microsoft® as a fully
9 SCENARIO MANAGER compliant Windows® 95 and Windows® NT application.

In order to manage the 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 Systems Modeling Corp., a role which allows him the
(scenarios) of a model to be run on a batch basis. For freedom to pretty much run rampant through nearly all
example, once a valid model has been developed parts of the Arena product code base. Prior to joining
accurately representing the user’s system, it is often SM in 1989, he worked for General Motors
useful to find out what the effects are on that system Corporation's Truck and Bus Group, where he was one
544 Takus and Profozich

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 Systems Modeling Corporation. He is
author of the book, Managing Change with Business
Process Simulation from Prentice Hall. With SM since
1987, David directs the sales and 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.