Moving Entities with a Resource

A resource can carry an entity along a route, so the move only happens when a carrier is available, like a forklift that moves a pallet or an orderly who wheels a patient.

Attach the resource to the route. The carrier is seized before the entity leaves, so if none is free the entity waits at its current activity rather than moving. A Get and Free carrier is released when the entity arrives; a Get and Keep carrier stays with it onward.

LegacyHow this worked in the previous version

Routing an entity with the use of a resource (employee, machine, etc.).

Suggested Technique

• Create the routing connection where the resource will be used.
• Create the resource. (Be sure that the Object Type field in the properties dialog indicates Resource .)
• Connect the resource to the routing connection using the line tool.

Alternatively, you may use a GET statement in the Action logic of the routing connection and a FREE statement in the Action logic of the next activity. Connected resources will always be captured before resources specified in a GET statement. On the other hand, resource connections that free a resource occur after any Action logic for the routing or activity.

Example: Patients in a waiting room are escorted to a treatment room by a nurse.

TO DO: Connect the nurse (once created as above) to the appropriate routing.

To learn more about resources, see Resources and Resource Assignments.