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The use of WITNESS coupled with response surface analysis were the major contributing factors for increased productivity of a distribution centre by 150% in only six months. This application is believed to be the first in which a discrete event simulation model was used to produce a set of closed form equations that accurately describe the operations of a facility. The equations were embedded into a spreadsheet form that makes it possible for managers to determine in seconds the efficiency of their current operations and project staffing requirements. Continual changes in product mix and volume made it nearly impossible in the past to determine operating efficiency or forecast manpower needs. The ability to produce real-time operating benchmarks was used to increase throughput by a factor of five while staffing only doubled.