Open-source software objects for modelling blood collection and production processes

We propose a project to port an existing blood clinic simulator to an open-source platform. We anticipate implementation of the newly redesigned model into the production environment. Once the model is established with Canadian Blood Services (CBS), we will survey the IE user group (IEUG) in CBS to determine usability, identify issues and solicit enhancements to the software objects. We will then determine a minimal set of objects needed to represent a donor clinic. These will be packaged and released for external users via PyPI or Git. We anticipate a release to both CBS personnel and to a wider user group.

The technology developed for this project will form the basis of a larger effort to refine existing open source simulation software in Python (Simpy). At present, Simpy lacks features common in more established simulation packages. In addition, Simpy is difficult to use and error prone, making model development burdensome in this environment. Thus, there is a need for open source elements to convert Simpy into a modern, transaction-oriented simulation package.

Faculty Supervisor:

John Blake

Student:

Partner:

ISEN

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Public Service, Policy, and Governance

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: