Patent ID: 7725207

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: at least one memory capable of storing a model, the model mathematically representing a plurality of multi-function resources and a plurality of tasks associated with a process system, the model also defining relationships involving the multi-function resources and the tasks, wherein the model is adapted to acquire and accumulate information by evaluating results of the process system and alter the mathematical representations of the model based upon the acquired and accumulated information; at least one controller capable of: monitoring one or more measurable characteristics associated with the process system; and allocating one or more of the multi-function resources among one or more of the tasks using the model based on the one or more measurable characteristics; and a graphical user interface comprising multiple icons each associated with one of the resources, wherein each icon identifies a name of the associated resource, a status of the associated resource, any process currently being executed by the associated resource and a remaining time and completion time for the process being executed, a number of items currently being processed by the associated resource, and a subsequent process to be executed by the associated resource.