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Use the external data generator

Generate cases at the times recorded in real data — for example, the actual arrival times of orders — instead of a statistical interval.

Prerequisites​

  • The External Data feature, enabled by a server administrator under Admin → Server Settings → Early Access (the External Data feature flag). When the flag is off, External Data doesn't appear among the generator types.
  • Edit access to a simulation project — see Simulation.
  • A data file or repository object with one column of case generation times in ISO format:

A spreadsheet with an ISO-format Time column and a count column.

Steps​

  1. Select the shape that should generate the cases and open its Generator tab. Turn on Generate Here and set Generator Type to External Data.

  2. Click New. The Add external data wizard opens on Step 1 - Select data:

    • Repository — pick an External Data or External File object with the object picker. Linking an External Data object keeps the generator current: when newer data is uploaded to the object, the generator follows it. See Work with external data.
    • Upload — upload a file from your computer. XLS/XLSX, CSV, TSV, and TXT files up to 32 MB are accepted.

    Step 1 of the Add external data wizard with the Repository and Upload options.

  3. Click Next Step and choose the column with the case generation times. The first possible column is preselected.

    Choosing the time column.

  4. Click Next Step and choose the column with the number of cases to generate per row. If the data has no count column, click Reset to clear the choice — each row then generates one case.

    Choosing the count column.

  5. Click Next Step and map any remaining columns to the case variables they should initialize. Columns are auto-mapped to variables of the same name; columns that match no case variable are ignored.

    Mapping data columns to case variables.

  6. Click Next Step, review, and click Finish.

Verify​

  • The Generator tab shows the imported data behind the View data button.
  • A traceTrace The ordered sequence of activities executed for a single case. Grouping cases by identical traces produces variants. run generates cases at the times in the data.