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Non-Technical FAQs for Designer
Why should I run a simulation?
How can I transfer information between models?
Can I use my own images/icons in my models?
What different kinds of reports can I extract from Designer?
Technical FAQS for Designer
How does your software communicate with other software and databases? (i.e. what standards are used, VB, SQL etc)
How do I print a Designer document on a plotter?
Can I open models created using the earlier Designer versions with the current software?
Can I open models created using the current Designer version with an earlier version?
What kinds of user-levels are available?
Designer licensing terms
Non-Technical FAQs for Charter
Several members of the modeling team need to update the same content at the same time. How do we do this?
How can I manage the performance of my processes?
How can I communicate the processes to non- MS Visio users?
How can I access samples processes?
I documented some of my processes on MS Visio. Can I reuse them?
Technical FAQs for Charter
Which MS Visio versions are supported by Charter?
The Charter menu is not visible and/or the shapes are not reacting any more. What should I do?
Why can’t I use the Stencil Wizard?
I have MS Visio 2003 (or Visio 2002) and Charter is not working (there are no default headers or footers on the page that opens and there aren’t any Charters menus). What is happening?
Can I open models created using the earlier Charter versions with the current software?
Non-Technical FAQs for Designer
Why should I run a simulation?
Simulation is an applicable tool in modeling, current state analysis, and new process validation phases. It can also be used as a continuous tool to test the changes in the operational environment and to understand the capacity of the process. Typical questions that can be answered are:
- What kind of lead times would we have with the current process and resources, if we get 100 orders in next month?
- What effects does adding a new resource to the process have on lead times and resource utilization?
How can I transfer information between models?
Processes, organization groups, resources, materials and categories from the Scenario window, and activity types, resource types, calendars, generators and icons from the Template window can be copied from one open scenario to another by dragging and dropping.
When it is possible to do so, dragging and dropping objects into a new scenario is the fastest way to create a model. It is also the basis for creating and merging sub models in Designer.
The interrelationships between modeling objects, the order in which different types of objects are dropped into a target scenario, and the existence of objects in the target with the same name as those being dropped have important consequences.
In Designer 5.5 the drag and drop has been enhanced to reduce rework and maintain the structural validity of the target scenario. When a process is dropped into a scenario, essential modeling components referenced in the process (allocated resources, resource types and organization groups) can be transferred automatically.
Can I use my own images/icons in my models?
YES. In Designer, icons can be in either .ICO or bitmap format. You can create an icon in the following ways:
· importing icons or bitmap files one at a time;
· importing all icons or bitmap files located in a particular directory;
· transforming a single captured image into an icon; and
· copying the icons from an icon library or another scenario into your scenario.
What different kinds of reports can I extract from Designer?
There are two types of reports: Static and Simulation reports both of which can help you perform analysis.
Static reports: These are based on data from the process flow diagrams and are used to obtain initial process performance data (cost, time) prior to running a simulation. They are used to target areas of the process for further drill-down or to start improvements. They can also be used to view the impact of new input volumes and levels of resource availability on processing time, cost and resource utilization. There are two classifications, Detailed Reports and Sensitivity Analysis Reports:
a) Detailed Reports: These provide detailed information on scenario objects and include all the data you entered, including the process links, organizational hierarchy and other relationships between objects. i.e. you can obtain reports on where materials are used or which activities are performed by a resource
b) Sensitivity Analysis Reports: These show the sensitivity of the model to changes in: resource pool size, input volume, and quantity of material.
Simulation reports: These are the other reports in Designer and are based on the dynamics of the simulation. You must run a simulation and save at least one run before you can generate simulation reports. These reports provide statistical and historical data (data saved at specified points in the simulation) based on saved simulation runs. There are two subcategories of Simulation Reports, Model Statistics (which cover processes, activities, resources, groups, materials, etc), and Path Statistics:
a) Model Statistics: Contain material flow statistics and performance data for processes and resources for a specific simulation run.
b) Path Statistics reports: Include sequence of activities executed for paths, the activities’ performance data and the probability of execution, and the processing times for the reported processes for a specific simulation run. All possible paths are captured, including the longest path, the shortest path, the most costly path and the least costly path.
Does the program have a debugger function?
In Designer, there is a structural check. This function will actually check if all the data necessary was entered into the model and if all the links between activities make sense.
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Technical FAQS for Designer
How does your software communicate with other software and databases? (i.e. what standards are used, VB, SQL etc)
Designer lets you import and export model data in comma-separated value (.csv) file format. This allows you to transfer models between Designer and Charter for Visio® or to import model data from another application, such as a spreadsheet. You can also export Designer model data to CSV, XML, Microsoft Project, and Process Definition Language (PDL) format. This allows you to share scenario data with people who do not have Designer, Viewer or Charter and to incorporate process model data into other applications.
Charter can exchange model data with other products as well as with applications, such as spreadsheets, that can read the csv (comma-separated value) text file format.
How do I print a Designer document on a plotter?
Follow these three steps:
1. Make sure that the plotter is set as the default printer.
2. The "PostScript Printing" option can be used for plotters that support this option. To select this option (This option is not necessary for printing to a plotter):
- From the "FirstSTEP Scenario manager" window choose "Scenario --> Program Preferences."
- Now, in the "Window" tab in the "printing" section choose "Post Script Printing."
3. Make sure that the printing page size is correct.
- Select Print from the Scenario Menu.
- From the "Print" dialog box there is a section called "Format". Choose "user defined size" and type in the proper page size.
Can I open models created using the earlier Designer versions with the current software?
Yes. Models created in earlier versions of Designer are compatible with any later version.
Can I open models created using the current Designer version with an earlier version?
No. Every time a new version of Designer is released, it contains new functions and information that are not present in the older versions. Therefore, the older versions generate errors because they do not understand the new information.
What kinds of user-levels are available?
Standalone license
Network concurrent license
Standalone Dongle license
Network concurrent Dongle license
Designer licensing terms
Standalone License: Can install on and run Designer on a single computer. This license restricts the use of Designer to a single user at any one time
Network Concurrent License: This license permits a specific number of network users to use Designer concurrently. It is installed on a single network server network server license that monitors the number of concurrent users. Each client computer with Designer must be in communication with the network server network server license running the license server software. There is no restriction on the number of client computers that can install Designer
Standalone Dongle License: Limits the use of Designer to a single user on a single computer at any one time. Use of Designer is restricted through the use of a hardware key, which can be moved from one computer to another. This allows you to install and use designer on different computers at different times. This is best suited for the user who plans to work with Designer on different PC’s or PC and laptop (i.e. work and home).
Network concurrent Dongle license: This is the same as Network concurrent license except that the license won’t be specific to one computer. The license can be installed on different server license
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Non-Technical FAQs for Charter
Several members of the modeling team need to update the same content at the same time. How do we do this?
Based on the work split, you can create copies of selected subprocesses, including all of its components (subprocesses, activities, links, and so forth) to a submodel. People can then work on these submodels. At the end of the update phase, all submodels can be merged into a master file.
How can I manage the performance of my processes?
For each process, you can specify the Key Performance Indicators that drive the process efficiency.
You can also export to Designer the processes documented in Charter and use the powerful simulation engine.
How can I communicate the processes to non- MS Visio users?
You can share the content of your work in three different formats: Web, MS Excel and MS Word.
To create a Web output, use the ‘Save as Web page, feature provided by MS Visio (Menu File\Save as Web Page…).
To create a MS Excel output, use the ‘Send To Reporter’ feature (Menu FirstSTEP\Import/Export\Send to reporter…)
To create a MS Word output and templates, you can use the Document Generator.
How can I access samples processes?
Select the menu File\New\Browse Samples Drawings. You will need to access the Samples folders and select the FirstSTEP foler.
If you have MS Visio 2003, open the folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Visio11\<language code>\Samples\FirstSTEP
I documented some of my processes on MS Visio. Can I reuse them?
Yes, you can convert your existing process documentation with the Process Converter. To launch, select the menu Start\Program Files\New Visio-Charter Drawing\Process Converter.
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Technical FAQs for Charter
Which MS Visio versions are supported by Charter?
You must install Visio Standard, Professional or Technical 5.0b, 2000, Microsoft 2000, MS 2002, or MS 2003 before installing Charter. If you have an older version of Visio, upgrade your version of Visio before installing Charter.
The Charter menu is not visible and/or the shapes are not reacting any more. What should I do?
Select the menu Tools/Options. In the window Options, make sure that the options ‘Enable automation event’ and ‘Enable Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications’ are checked. To apply the changes, close and restart MS Visio.
Why can’t I use the Stencil Wizard?
To use the stencil wizard, you need to be the Administrator on your machine.
I have MS Visio 2003 (or Visio 2002) and Charter is not working (there are no default headers or footers on the page that opens and there aren’t any Charters menus). What is happening?
You probably have set the Visio Security level to High. Charter can only operate if the highest Visio Security level is Medium. At Medium Security levels you will need to enable all macros.
Can I open models created using the earlier Charter versions with the current software?
Yes. Models created in earlier versions of Charter are compatible with any later version.
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