SIDs (Simulation Imported Data Files) | Vose Software

SIDs (Simulation Imported Data Files)

 

Purpose of a SID

Creating a SID

Using a SID

Managing SIDs

 

A SID is a database of simulation values for one or more variables that can be used to generate a pre-defined sequence of random samples within your ModelRisk model.

Purpose of a SID

The primary uses of SIDs are:

1.       Consistency between models sharing the same variables

The same SID can be used in several different models, where the variables within the SID are directly used in these models. By using SIDs we can be certain that the models are consistent. More importantly, we can be sure that a specific sample of a simulation of one model will exactly correspond with the same particular sample of other models using the same SID. This means that we can combined the models together or, for example, directly compare two different options (built in two different models) sample by sample.

2.       Distributing or updating corporate stochastic forecasts of important variables

Corporate planning and treasury departments, etc. can create SIDs of their up-to-date official stochastic forecasts. Sharing those SIDs with colleagues makes it quick and simple to incorporate stochastic forecasts using the most up-to-date information.

3.       Importing data from applications like OpenBUGS and other simulation programs

Many simulation tools have the ability to export their simulation data directly to Excel, or into a format that Excel can then read. In ModelRisk, you can create a SID from these data and thereby incorporate the simulated variable results into your model, preserving and correlation pattern that is present in the simulated data.

Creating a SID

You can create a SID from two different data sources:

1. From the Results Viewer application.

 

Go to the Insert tab in the Results Viewer and click on the Data list button:

Select the variables to save as a SID on the left by checking on the checkboxes next to the required Inputs or Outputs:

Go to the "List options" tab and click the “Create SID” icon in the Results Viewer ribbon.

This will open a dialog box. Enter a SID name (this must be unique, i.e. not a name that has already been used for another SID), add a description if you wish, and click OK.

 

ModelRisk will confirm the SID has been created:

 

 

2. From an Excel Spreadsheet

Select the Library icon in the ModelRisk ribbon:  

Click on the SID tab:

Click on the ‘Create SID from spreadsheet’ icon:  

Enter the descriptive information in the dialog box:

Click OK. A window appears describing the format in which the spreadsheet data needs to appear:

Click OK. Then select the range of cells containing the data and header labels:

Click OK. ModelRisk confirms the creation of the SID, which now appears in the SID tab of the ModelRisk Library:

Alternatively, you can select the data in the spreadsheet, right-click and select ‘Create SID’ from the menu and follow the same procedure.

Using a SID

To enter a SID into your model, select the sheet in which you wish to place the SID. Then go to the SID tab in the ModelRisk library, select the SID you need and click the ‘Insert to spreadsheet’ icon:

 

Specify where the SID should be placed. Note that the dialog box informs you of the size of the array needed. You can enter the SID as either a horizontal or vertical array:

Click OK. A VoseSID array function is then added to your spreadsheet.

Managing SIDs

Sharing a SID

It can be very useful to share SID files with other modellers in your organisation. This ensures that you are building models on the same quantitative uncertain assumptions.

Exporting a SID

To share a SID you have created with colleagues, select the SID in the ModelRisk Library and click the ‘Export selected SID’ icon:

You will then be prompted to browse to a location in which you want that SID to be copied. Select a location on your intranet that other modellers have access to. The file name follows the format SIDname.sid, where SIDname is the name originally provided by the user.

Importing a SID

Another modeller can now import the SID that has been exported by opening the ModelRisk Library on their computer and clicking the ‘Import new SID’ icon:

The SID will now appear in their ModelRisk Library, showing that it is imported. In this screen capture the ‘Terramore results’ SID has been imported, so an import path is shown:

The SID has been imported into the ModelRisk Library. This allows the modeller to use the SID without having to have access to the original file location at the time the SID is being used.

 

Updating an imported SID

An exported SID can be updated by simply overwriting the old SID, though care should be taken to ensure that the same variables appear in the new version.

A modeller using an imported SID can update it by selecting the relevant SID and clicking the ‘Update linked SID’ icon:

The SID files will take the format: SIDName.sid

SIDs can be exported and imported. A user can select a SID and click “Export” – this will prompt for

Deleting a SID

Select the SID and click  

Changing name and/or description of a SID

Select the SID and click  

Drop down menu

The same SID management operations are available from the SID menu in the ModelRisk Library:

 

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