Simulation input panel

This panel displays the input values used to run a simulation for the selected Planning Entity (PE) or Aggregate Planning Entity (APE). You can review system-generated values and modify simulation values to perform what-if analysis.

The Simulation input panel contains these controls:

Policy
The inventory policy used for the simulation. Possible values:
  • Specified service level by item
  • Specified number of safety factors
  • Days cover
  • Fixed quantity
Toggle System Values
Displays or hides the System values column.

When the Toggle System Values option is selected, the panel displays:

  • Input measures
  • System values
  • Simulation values
Note: By default, only the Input measures and Simulation values columns are displayed.
Reset all to system values
Resets all simulation values that differ from the system values.
Note: The fields that are previously changed are returned to the original system-generated values, and the blue change indicators are removed.

System values are derived from:

  • Integration source imports
  • Forecast engine calculations
  • Initialization settings

System values are displayed as read-only values. Simulation values are initially copied from the corresponding system values and can be modified to evaluate alternative planning scenarios.

If a system value is updated:

  • The System values column displays the updated value.
  • The Simulation values column is updated only if the value has not previously been modified.
  • User-modified simulation values are preserved and are not overwritten.

When a simulation value differs from the system value, a blue indicator displayed on the field.

You can select the indicator to:

  • View the current system value.
  • Reset the field to the original system value.

You can specify this information in the Simulation input panel:

Service level target
The target service level percentage used to calculate safety stock.
Note: This field is displayed and can be modified only if the value in the Policy field is set to Specified Service Level by Item.
Safety Factor
The multiplying factor applied to demand variability when calculating safety stock. A higher value increases the safety buffer and reduces the risk of stockouts.
Note: This field is displayed and can be modified only if the value in the Policy field is set to Specified number of safety factors.
Number of days
The number of days of supply that must be maintained as safety stock.
Note: This field is displayed and can be modified only if the value in the Policy field is set to Days cover.
Safety stock quantity
The fixed quantity of stock to be maintained as safety stock.
Note: This field is displayed and can be modified only if the value in the Policy field is set to Fixed quantity.
Annual forecast to use
The annual forecast data used to run the simulation. Possible values:
  • Estimated Annual Usage from Weekly Engine
  • Estimated Annual Usage from Monthly Engine
  • Annual Forecast from Weekly Engine
  • Annual Forecast from Monthly Engine
  • Manual Forecast
Note: 
  • By default, the value in this field is set to Estimated Annual Usage from Monthly Engine when the weekly and monthly forecast levels are available.
  • Forecast values generated by Demand Forecasting or forecast engines are read-only.
  • The value in this field can be modified only when the Annual forecast to use field is set to Manual Forecast.
  • If only the weekly forecast level is configured during initialization, the monthly options are not displayed and the Estimated Annual Usage from Weekly Engine option is selected by default.
  • If only the monthly forecast level is configured during initialization, the weekly options are not displayed and the Estimated Annual Usage from monthly Engine option is selected by default.
Standard deviation to use
The standard deviation data used to run the simulation. Possible values:
  • Standard Deviation from Weekly Engine
  • Standard Deviation from Monthly Engine
  • Manual monthly standard deviation
Note: 
  • By default, the value in this field is set to Standard Deviation from Monthly Engine when the weekly and monthly forecast levels are available.
  • The value in this field can be modified only when the Standard deviation to use field is set to Manual monthly standard deviation.
  • If only the weekly forecast level is configured during initialization, the monthly options are not displayed and the Standard Deviation from Weekly Engine option is selected by default.
  • If only the monthly forecast level is configured during initialization, the weekly options are not displayed and the Standard Deviation from Monthly Engine option is selected by default.
Lead time days
The total lead time from ordering to stock availability, in days, for the selected PE.
Replenishment method
The method used to calculate the replenishment quantity. Possible values:
  • Days between orders: Uses the number of days between orders to calculate the preferred lot quantity.
  • Preferred lot quantity: Uses the preferred lot quantity to calculate the number of days between orders.
Note: By default, the value in this field is set to Days between orders.
Standard cost
The standard cost of the item in the warehouse base currency.
Contingency stock in days
The number of days of stock maintained in addition to safety stock.
Contingency stock in units
The number of units maintained in addition to safety stock.
Maximum days cover
The maximum permitted safety stock coverage, expressed in days.
Maximum safety stock units
The maximum permitted safety stock quantity, expressed in units.
Minimum days cover
The minimum required safety stock coverage, expressed in days.
Minimum safety stock units
The minimum required safety stock quantity, expressed in units.
Note: You can right-click the required field and click the Show Details option to view additional information about an input field.