Flexibility design in loss and queueing systems: efficiency of k-chain configuration.

Process flexibility has altered operations in manufacturing and service companies significantly. For instance, auto-mobile manufacturers use flexible production systems to meet uncertain demands effectively, and workforce flexible systems with cross-training are presently common in service industries. This paper studies k-chain configuration in both loss systems and queueing systems. We derive performance measures such as percent of customers loss and average customer waiting time. In the symmetric case, we numerically test the effects of k , system size and traffic intensity on flexibility design. The major conclusion is that 2-chain is no longer effective in loss systems although it still performs well in queueing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]