International Series of Monographs in Pure and Applied Mathematics, Volume 103: Stochastic Theory of Service Systems focuses on the principles, methodologies, and approaches involved in the stochastic theory of service systems. The publication first examines the general description of service systems, characteristics of the arrival process, standard cases, and the distribution of waiting-times in the system M/M/c-delay. Discussions focus on "random" condition, probability of delay and average waiting-time for the system M/M/c-delay, Engset formula, and probability of blocking for the system M/M/c-blocking. The text then examines general holding-time assumption, non-stationary behavior, and priority. Topics include pre-emptive priority, transient behavior of the system M/G/1-delay, Markov process with a finite number of states, and hyperexponential distributions. The manuscript takes a look at simulation, arrival and service in batches, and restricted availability, including approximate determination of probabilities of blocking, "unscheduled ferry problem", principles of roulette simulation, and implementation of randomness. The publication is a dependable source material for researchers interested in the stochastic theory of service systems.
