qualitysoftware

by Gordon Sellers

ProcessModel Combines Flowcharting and Simulation

ProcessModel by ProModel Corp. is a Windows 95-compatible, CD-ROM-based product designed to help business users model business processes. This process reen-gineering tool combines a popular flowcharting software, ABC Flow-Charter, with simulation technology developed from years of experience at ProModel. Now, process flow diagrams have the added dimension of being able to simulate changes to processes in a cost-effective and low-impact method for organizations.

Minimum system requirements: 486 processor; 16 MB RAM; 25 MB hard- disk space; VGA monitor; mouse; CD-ROM drive. Recommended system requirements: Pentium Processor; 32 MB RAM; 95 MB hard-disk space; SVGA monitor; mouse; CD-ROM drive. ProcessModel must be run on Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.5.1.

Price: $995

Contact: ProModel Corp.
Attn: Lori Monson
1875 S. State St.
Orem, UT 84058
Telephone (801) 223-4600
Fax (801) 226-6046

ProModel Corp. has been providing high-end simulation tools for eight years. This is the first time they have incorporated flowcharting software with simulation using OLE technology. ProcessModel includes the ABC Graphics Suite from Micrografx; ABC FlowCharter is part of the graphics suite and the primary user interface.

In simple terms, a process model is a process flow diagram with associated data to describe the process. ProcessModel has a one-step modeling approach. The user first creates a process flow diagram that consists of objects (the process elements) and connections (the relationships between the process elements). Objects are chosen from a predefined palette of shapes. Lines are drawn between shapes to represent connections and indicate how entities are entered and routed in the system. Also, the arrows on the lines give directions to what order work is performed.

Based on the type of objects being connected, ProcessModel determines the appropriate connection type and, using the unique drag-and-draw technique of ABC FlowCharter, creates a new object and connection automatically. A dialog window for defining the properties of each object and connection is displayed by double-clicking on the object or connection. In the properties dialog, the user enters information such as name, cost, processing time, capacity, etc. In this dialog, the user also defines action logic, creates links to other flowcharts and assigns schedules to resources and activities.

Once the diagram is created and properties defined for objects and connections, the user may define variables and attributes, the values that are tracked for individual entities. The user can add variability to the model with distribution functions, perform what-if analysis by running multiple scenarios and define action logic to control the model's behavior. ProcessModel also provides for hierarchical modeling, which helps the user manage large process models.

Once the process model is defined, the model can be run in simulation mode. The animation option can be turned on or off during simulation. Running totals are displayed in the Scoreboard box for entity values, including quantity processed, cycle time, value-added time and cost per unit. One of the program's unique features is the live animation feature; the shapes representing people, paperwork, phone calls and other objects are seen flowing through the system. This enhances the user's ability to visualize bottlenecks.

Once the simulation is over, the user can choose to see the results. A preformatted results file is loaded, and the user can create reports and graphs from all the data collected from simulations for all scenarios and replications.

Overall, this is a very good process engineering tool, especially ideal for existing ABC FlowCharter users. ProcessModel takes significant computing horsepower; however, most users will upgrade their systems when installing Windows 95. Nice additions would be tool tips, wizards and more help understanding some of the more complex issues, such as choosing a distribution method based on specific applications. We found the user manual very easy to read and the detailed description of the modeling techniques especially useful.

About the author

Gordon Sellers is president of Sellers & Associates Inc., an analyst firm providing information and consulting services for both Fortune 1000 companies seeking tools for business engineering and software vendors developing these tools. He is a frequent contributor to several publications and has been an invited presenter at numerous conferences. He may be reached via e-mail at sellersg@ix.netcom.com.