ProcessModel Changelog

What's new in ProcessModel 6.0

Aug 8, 2022

New licensing engine
New licensing process
Personal license feature
New Charting features
New Output Report called Smart Stats
Antivirus false positive fixes
Object deletion enhancements
Gallery Disappearance Issue Fixed
Updated Stat:Fit
Misc Fixes

New in ProcessModel 5.6.5 (May 13, 2020)

New in ProcessModel 5.6.4 (May 13, 2020)

New in ProcessModel 5.6.3 (Oct 4, 2018)

New in ProcessModel 5.6.0 (Feb 29, 2016)

New in ProcessModel 5.5.0 (Feb 18, 2014)

New features:
Model Objects at Your Fingertips:
Model objects (MO) reduce the time to perform a process improvement project and increase simulation project quality. Think of MO as building blocks for your process improvement project. MO are pre-built segments of models that snap together and solve difficult simulation modeling problems. MO are now easier to find with advanced searching capabilities on the main toolbar.
You will be notified when MO are out of date or new ones are available. You
choose when to download new MO.
Paste Model Objects at the Point of the Cursor:
Model objects are now integrated exactly where you put the cursor. No more guessing or centering the layout to insert a model object. Simply point and click.
Automatic Updates:ProcessModel will tell you when your software is out of date. Automatic update will provide you with the latest and greatest software.
Industry Specific Install:
See more of what is important to you and less of everything else. Industry specific installs provide example models, modelobjects and palettes that are specific to your industry.
Output Graphs Save with New Model Name:
When the model name is changed, graphs and charts associated with the previous name are saved along with the new name.
File Saving and Installation:
ProcessModel saves all models as a simulation package (.SPG which stands for “simulation package”). All the files necessary to make a model run and all other attached files are automatically included in this package. Now, the file that you save is the file that is sent to another person. On open, the package rewrites linking paths so that your model runs and links to all attached files.
Backups and General Management:
Automatic backups save the last three versions of your model. Each time a new backup is saved a number that is added to the end of the model name is incremented. If some unforeseen problem occurs you will have backups at the frequency that you set.
Package Dialog Only Shows When a File is Missing:
In the past, when a simulation package was created, a package dialog would appear showing all the files included in the package. Now, the dialog will only show when a file is missing (was deleted, moved or renamed). This allows faster, seamless saving of models.
Error Management:
More than 100 non-descript errors have been eliminated or provide details to help you solve the problem.
Better Identification of the Location of SubModel Errors:
When submodel route names have not been entered, or are mismatched, ProcessModel will highlight which routing exhibits the problem. This helps to pin point the problem faster.
A Simulation Error Occurred:
In the past, combinations of unusual elements would cause a general error “A Simulation Error Has Occurred”. These problems have been eliminated, showing detailed messages of what caused the problem. This allows quick, precise changes to solve the problem.
Simulation Already running:
Have you ever attempted to run the simulation and received the error “Simulation already running”? You can’t see an animation but the process simulation won’t start even on repeated tries. That is so annoying. In version 5.5, every time the ProcessModel starts all executables are refreshed so that ProcessModel will start correctly, without errors, every time.
Hierarchical Models:
In the past, creating a package when a submodel was open would cause unrecoverable errors in the model. In version 5.5, ProcessModel asks to save all submodels and closes submodels so that the save can be error free and automatic.
New Tool Bars:
The new tool bar provides faster access to the things you need.
The simulation button provides a quick launch of the animation. The Narrate button allows you to attached a video, audio or pictures to explain a model. The Import and Run button reads in the current import file and starts the model with new information. The model objects menu item provides quick access to all model objects and a way to download newly created model objects.
Attaching Files:
Linking files to a model provides a method of adding interfaces, attaching raw data, linking presentations or any other type of file. Files are now easier to link and automatically install and relink when the model is saved to a new directory. This makes sending an interface with a model a snap.
Excel Interface for Complex Model Changes:
A basic interface can be developed in about three minutes. That means you can take several factors needing adjustment, link them to ProcessModel and show it working in less than three minutes! We provide the Excel file and the strategy for making changes to all parts of your model from a single Excel sheet.
Using Excel as the entry form also has the advantage that you can make complex adjustments in the model using a simplified entry form.
Excel Interface for Reading Arrivals:
In addition to using Excel to make changes to all aspects of the model, it can also be used to read in thousands of actual arrivals (date, time, quantity, and attributes). This allows the reading of arrival and routing information. New entities with unique routings can be introduced without changing the model (only the arrivals have to change).
New Model Objects:
There are new model objects for almost every industry group. Some are very “tricks” used to model quickly and others might eliminate a weeks’ worth of work. Just identify what you need and paste a model object into your model for faster development and improved quality. New model objects are becoming available daily.
New Palettes:
Hundreds of new graphics have been added to help you make your point. Graphics for logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, military and more.
Changes to ProcessModel Startup:
A number of changes have been introduced to help new users get started. Models in your industry automatically open, layouts show the basics steps to build a model and tutorials show the entire process. Once you become familiar with ProcessModel, these helps can be disabled in the Tools/Preferences menu.
Demo Model Automatically Opens:
When ProcessModel starts, it will randomly pick a demo model from the industry selected during the install process. Models will have a basic explanation and may have a narration to help. “Automatic demo models on startup” can be disabled in the Tools/Preferences menu.
Help Model for New Users:
When all models are closed a layout appears that provides the basics of how to build and animate a model. The basics are narrated (The Narrate button is active) with a tutorial so that new users can quickly become familiar with beginner
Narration Button Helps Explain What a new User is Observing:
Now you can turn a “new” person loose with a process simulation. Process simulation narrations make it possible for you to send your best, practiced presentation xxiv User’s Guide along with a model. The target audience sees the information you want them to see which could include: instructions, assumptions, problems, results and solutions.
Narrations are linked to the model, so when a model is saved a narration button becomes active on the toolbar. The next time the model is installed, the recipient will see there is an added active narration button. Narrations can be a video, audio or a static picture.
Automatic Licensing:
In the past, the licensing procedure required instructions from support, sending the serial number via email to support and waiting for the license code to be generated. If the license was not entered before the computer was restarted, the entire process may have to be restarted. In version 5.5, all you have to do is enter your email address and ProcessModel will automatically license (assuming you have a valid license and support). Of course, manual licensing is still supported.
Updated User Guide with Extensive Hyperlinking:
Many changes and updates have been added to the user’s guide to match the new capabilities added in ProcessModel. The new guide is completely hyperlinked for quick access.
Fixes:
Right mouse-click to copy a license:
All licensing screens are updated and the serial and license can be copied with a standard Windows functions.
Adding or Deleting Scenario Parameter to a Submodel:
You always been able to add attributes or variable to a submodel and automatically sync with the main model. With version 5.5 scenario parameters can be added or deleted in a submodel.
Moving Yes/No Text Attached to Routes:
When adding a Yes/No, from a decision, with a right mouse-click the text is now detachable.
Route Names No Longer Case Sensitive:
The last remaining item in ProcessModel that exhibited case sensitivity has now been eliminated. You can use upper or lower case in the routings names linking hierarchical models. This reduces errors from typing mistakes during the linking process.
Resetting All Files When ProcessModel Starts:
Every time ProcessModel starts, all files needed for ProcessModel, Simulation, SimRunner or Stat::Fit are re-started. This eliminates problems of failure to start because a file was inadvertently left open.
Carriage Returns in Object Name Retained After Save:
Sometimes you just want to change the position of text in a graphic by simply adding a carriage return to the name. Now those carriage returns are saved with the model.
Installation – Simplified User Interaction:
The installation file has been completely reformatted to simplify the user requirements for a standard installation. The installation is now smooth, fast and has no unnecessary questions.
File Path Too Long “Warning”:
If your model path exceeds 128 characters, ProcessModel will provide a detailed error message and suggest a solution.
Using Scenario Parameters as Resource Quantities:
You can now use scenario parameters as resource quantities without the annoying error message “insufficient resources”.
Flow80.exe Does Not Close when Exiting ProcessModel:
Flow80 is the flowcharting engine used in ProcessModel. On closing ProcessModel, Flow80.exe will now exit and leave no trace.
PMMain Does Not Close When ProcessModel Shuts Down Irregularly:
Irrespective of the status of PMMain.exe, ProcessModel will reset PMMain and start and run as requested.
Scenario Imports:
Importing of scenario parameters has always worked, but sceanrio’s changed in the Excel sheet would cause some unusual problems during the import. The importing of scenarios now works flawlessly.
Stuck in the Taskbar:
Not any more!