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Resource

A resource is a pool of interchangeable units that activities and routes seize to do their work, then release: people like an operator or nurse, or equipment like a machine or vehicle. If an activity has no resource attached, it needs none.

General tab

Section titled “General tab”
  • Name: the resource’s name (for example, Operator).
  • Quantity: the number of identical units in the pool (at least 1). Each unit works independently, so a Quantity of 3 lets three entities be served at once.
  • Image: an optional custom picture for the resource on the canvas.

A resource's properties

A resource also has Availability, Cost, and Shift tabs, and can be combined with others in a resource group.

Using a resource

Section titled “Using a resource”

To put a resource to work, connect it to an activity with a resource connection, or seize it in action logic. To read which resource an entity is holding, use Entity.HeldResourceName() (see OwnedResource Function).

LegacyHow this worked in the previous version

See Basics 9 - Representing People and Equipment - Resources video tutorial.

Resources are the agents used to perform activities and move entities such as service personnel, operators or equipment. More than one unit of a particular resource may be defined if they are used interchangeably and have the same operating characteristics. Resources may be shared between several activities. If no resource is assigned to an activity, it is assumed that no resource is required.

What is a Resource?

General

Section titled “General”

Name The name of the resource (e.g. Worker).

Quantity The number of units of this resource type (1 - 9999). Scenario parameters may also be used. The quantity value is read only once at the beginning of the simulation so using values which change during a simulation (such as variables) cannot be used.

What is a Resource?

If scenario parameters are used in a resource quantity field, no indicator lights will be displayed during simulation. The only way to have indicator lights show during simulation is to use a numeric value in the resource’s quantity field. The maximum number of indicator lights during simulation for any resource is 12.

Object Type Allows the type of object to be changed from Resource to something else.