Optimal Utilization Level Determination for Fixed Capacity Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining optimal utilization levels of fixed capacity assets primarily focus on cost and delivery times, neglecting important factors such as the frequency of asset disruptions and resource efficiency, which can lead to underutilization or insufficient capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to determine optimal utilization levels by calculating a hardware efficiency factor and a touch efficiency factor, which quantify the asset's capacity utilization and frequency of disruptions, respectively, to find the optimal balance between asset efficiency and capacity management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If utilization target is set to avoid underutilization of existing assets, then asset cost efficiency is improved, but the risk of insufficient capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of utilization target from a single cost-based metric to a composite metric that incorporates both cost efficiency and capacity sufficiency. By introducing the capacity utilization factor and service level factor as additional parameters, the system transforms the utilization target calculation to balance both competing objectives mathematically, resolving the contradiction between maximizing asset utilization and maintaining sufficient capacity.
2Productivity
If allocation and reallocation of users to assets is required to achieve target utilization, then asset utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors actual asset utilization against the calculated target utilization, and automatically triggers reallocation policies when deviations are detected. This feedback loop automates the complex allocation and reallocation decisions, reducing manual intervention while maintaining high asset utilization efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and system complexity.
3Loss of energy
If focus is placed on cost and delivery times for utilization decisions, then financial soundness is improved, but important factors such as frequency of asset disruptions are neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional utilization target metric that simultaneously evaluates cost efficiency, capacity sufficiency, and disruption frequency. By integrating multiple previously separate evaluation criteria into a single universal metric, the system can make comprehensive utilization decisions that consider all important factors including financial soundness and disruption frequency, resolving the contradiction between focusing on cost and losing important operational information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method. The method includes includes determining a hardware efficiency factor for an asset having a fixed capacity and a predictable capacity consumption rate, and determining a touch efficiency factor for the asset. The touch efficiency factor represents a measurement of the frequency of touch of the asset, and touch represents a disruption of the asset occurring when the asset reaches the fixed capacity. The method further includes determining an optimal utilization level based on both the hardware efficiency factor and the touch efficiency factor.