Simulation Time

Simulation Time is a fundamental aspect of your simulation model. It indicates the current time within the simulation run (based on the selected time unit). When the simulation is reset, the Simulation Time resets to 0 and then progresses as the simulation continues. It’s important to note that the Simulation Time variable cannot be altered during the simulation run.

The Simulation Time global variable can be accessed via the Information Store and can be utilized to incorporate more detailed parameters into the simulation. For example, it can be used to control routing within the simulation, as demonstrated in the example below.

In this example, Work Items navigate through different routes based on the day of the week. During the first three days of the week (Monday to Wednesday), items are directed to Activity 3. For the remaining days (Thursday to Sunday), items are routed to Activity 2.

To set this up, you can route out of Activity 1 using a condition based on Simulation Time. There are Math Functions available that allow you to extract the week, day, hour, or minute of the current simulation. This is done by applying the math function to the Simulation Time Global Variable, as illustrated in the image below.

In this scenario, the Simulation Time variable is used to update the day of the week within the simulation and control the routing out of Activity 1 accordingly. This approach ensures that the routing logic is dynamically adjusted based on the current simulation time, providing a more realistic and flexible simulation model.

By leveraging the Simulation Time variable, you can create more complex and accurate simulations that reflect real-world scenarios. This capability is particularly useful for simulations that require time-based decision-making and routing, enhancing the overall effectiveness and reliability of the simulation model.