Title: Performance comparison of spreadsheet simulation and simulation languages: a case example to minimise textile production cost

Authors: M.R. Rotab Khan

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department (IE programme), Faculty of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh-11421, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This paper reports the development of a spreadsheet simulation model of a textile production situation using the spreadsheet Excel-7.0 to minimise the production cost through the evaluation of man-machine utilisation with a view to demonstrate the methodology of structuring a production simulation model in spreadsheet environment without using any simulation language. The output performance of the spreadsheet simulation model has been compared with those of the same production simulation models developed by using the simulation language GPSS/H and the high level language FORTRAN through the analysis of simulation results, computer time and the length and efforts of programming etc. with the objective to access the practical usability and the modelling capability of a modern spreadsheet to simulate a production system.

Keywords: spreadsheet; simulation language; clothing production system; machine utilisation; block design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.1999.000202

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 1999 Vol.12 No.2/3/4/5, pp.181-189

Published online: 13 Jul 2003 *

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