How to create a simulation

Simulations are created and managed on the Production Simulations page, which you can access via the NETRONIC VAPS menu or by simply searching for "Production Simulations" in the search bar.

You can create as many simulations as needed. Each simulation represents a snapshot of your current schedule, which you can then adjust using drag & drop within the visual scheduler. Simulations remain saved (persistent) until you either publish or delete them.

When you click "Create Simulation", a new page opens where you can define the parameters for your simulation in the "Filters" section:

Clicking OK creates a new simulation.

If any data inconsistencies are detected, a warning message will appear.

The Filter settings

• Minimum status: Define which status the production orders included in the simulation shall have. Minimum status "planned" as in the picture above means that this simulation includes all production orders with the status planned, firm planned, and released.
  
  

• Time range for the simulation: In the time fields relating to earliest/latest date you can specify either absolute or relative data.
  We recommend working with relative date settings.
  Please note that if you select "relative date", the absolute date fields get updated automatically!
  
  
  

• Absolute time range: If you select "Absolute Date", you enter the desired dates in the according fields:
  
  

In the picture above, the simulation (remember: this is the snapshot of your overall schedule that you then want to work with) includes all production orders with the minimum production order status "planned that start on or after 20 January 2021 and finish on or before 30 June 2021.

• Relative time range: If you select "Relative date", you have to enter an according data formula. In the picture below, we look four days back and three months into the future:
  
  

• Default view color type: Select the default color type for this simulation
  
  

• Data filter: The settings in this section allow you to load only the data you actually need, such as data specific to your department. These filters act as Dynamics 365 Business Central data filters and are applied before data is loaded into the simulation. This ensures that only the relevant, pre-filtered data is transferred from Business Central to the VAPS.

  You can create and edit these filters as described in the section titled "Base View Filter."

  
  
   

• Base view filter
  

  A base view filter is assigned to a simulation. This means that by opening the according simulation, the settings of the base filter come into play in addition to the data filter, but in contrast to the data filter, the data filtered out by the base filter are nevertheless taken into account for the planning. Please note that the settings of the base filter cannot be changed while the simulation is running.

  A base filter can be created directly upon creating a new simulation or via the simulations page

  • Decide whether the base view filter dialog pops up at the start of the simulation

  • Select an existing filter from the drop drown list
  • Create a new one by clicking "Select from full list". For details please see the description below on "How to define regularly used filters".

How to define regularly used filters

If you use certain filters frequently, it’s a good idea to save them for future use. To do this, click the downward arrow in the Saved Settings dropdown menu, then select "Select from Full List" to manage or apply saved filters.

A new page opens, allowing you to manage all your filters, including creating, editing, and deleting them.

Clicking "New" allows you to create a filter based on specific criteria. For example, here’s how the "Released March" filter was defined:

Once defined, you can also apply this filter when creating a new simulation: