Tandem queues with zero buffers find many applications in systems where jobs are processed via a predefined number of sequential processing steps. From an analytic point of view, the analysis of such sys- tems is highly complicated, caused by the phenomenon of after-service blocking (ASB). ASB occurs when a completed job occupies a server while waiting for the next phase. This challenge is addressed by introducing and comparing heuristics to quantify the impact of ASB on the perfor- mance of the tandem queue. Our proposed heuristics offer significant advantages over existing methods, delivering more insightful and accu- rate performance estimations. This allows for faster evaluations and their use in optimization, making it ideal for real-time decision making and capacity allocation. This research presents a valuable tool for queueing system designers and managers to make informed decisions regarding ca- pacity allocation, resource management, and service level optimization, particularly in scenarios with limited budgets.

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17th EAI International Conference on Performance Evaluation Methodologies and Tools
Stochastics

de Boer, T., Bekker, R., & van der Mei, R. (2024). After-service blocking in tandem queues. In EAI International Conference on Performance Evaluation Methodologies and Tools (pp. 1–21).