Transcript project proposal.ppt

Discrete Event Simulation Project Proposal
Class:
Name:
Date:
To:
DSES - 6620 Simulation Modeling And Analysis
Kevin Lewelling
February 17, 2002
Professor Ernesto Butierrez-Miravete
Background:
Over the past year, the Super Stop & Shop store on the corner of Skiff St. and Dixwell Ave. in
Hamden, CT has installed two new self-service systems. The first system was installed in the deli
department and allows shoppers to place orders using an interactive touch screen computer system.
The second self-service system allows shoppers to self check-out.
Two systems have been implemented for the self-service check-out system. The earliest system
targetted shoppers with 20 items or less. This system was configured with four check-out stations
with a single customer service representative located in a central location as shown in Figure 1.
Following what appeared to be a successful trial period, Stop & Shop imstalled a new self-service
check-out system shown in Figure 2 which was re-oriented to the traditional isle type configuration.
The new system not only has two isles designated for shoppers with 12 items or less but also has
three new isles that can accommodate as many groceries as you care to scan. For the new system,
S&S has hired two customer service associates that circulate between the check-out isles to aid
shoppers in their check-out process. None of the check-out systems have employees dedicated to
bagging groceries
Problem Statement:
Stop & Shop grocery stores have implemented the use of self-service check-out lines to reduce
operating costs. This is accomplished by eliminating both a cashier and a food packaging associate
in each check-out isle. Removing the cashier, who is typically located in part of the isle, allows the
new self-service check-out systemsto be narrower and therefore require less floor space. Although
the self-service lines may move a bit slower due to shoppers being unfamiliar with the system and
inevitable hangups, total shopper throughput may be increased simply by adding more check-out
lines, hense allowing for better utilization of the check-out area of the store. Stop & Shop wants to
know if they should install more self-service check-out lines such that shopper through put is
maximia\zed based on the floor space available. The focus of this study will be to determine the
optimum number of self-service lines required to maximize shopper throughput based on check-out
area floor space available.
Approach:
An initial visit will be made to the Stop & Shop super market to accurately document the
configuration of each check-out line. A Pro-Model simulation model will then be created based on
the configuration schematic. A separate visit will be made to collect arrival times and processing
times for each check-out line configuration. This will include data from both of the full service
check-out lines, 12 items or less and the unlimited lines, as well as data from both self-service checkout lines, again 12 items or less and the unlimited lines. Roughly 1 hour of data will be collected for
each check-out line for a total of 4 hours worth of data. Data will be collected on a weekend to
ensure minimal idle times in each of the check-out lines. A simulation will be run to baseline the
current configuration to determine the current maximum customer throughput. An optimization
Figure 1 - Stage I Self-Service Check-Out System
Station 1
Scan
Station 2
Pay &
Bag
Scan
Pay &
Bag
Customer
Service
Desk
Waiting Area for
Shoppers Ready
for Check-Out
Scan
Pay &
Bag
Scan
Station 3
Arrivals
To Processing at Customer Service Desk
Pay &
Bag
Station 4
Exit
Pay
Bag
Scan
Pay
Bag
Scan
Pay
Bag
Scan
Pay
Bag
12 Items
or Less
Scan
No
Limit
Waiting Area for Shoppers Ready for Check-Out
Figure 2 - Stage II Self-Service Check-Out System