Post
by Triaxx2 » Mon, 4. Oct 10, 16:18
I wrote some comments on distribution and collection. Maybe it'll help you out:
Distributed Product Selling for maximum profit
Distributing your products for maximum profit, requires some expenditure of funds, but can quickly earn back the cost of the set up.
Distributed selling requires the Bonus Pack for maximum effectiveness, particularly the CLS, (Commodity Logistics Systems)
Using an energy cell complex as an example, there are two effective methods of distributing the selling of your energy cells. From the complex, CLS1, internal can be used to transport energy cells from the complex itself, to a TL sitting not far from the complex. This serves two purposes. First it increases the storage space of the complex itself, moving large numbers of cells out of the complex. Second, it allows for TL’s to reach the stock without intermediaries. From the primary Distribution TL (DTL), TS’s and TL’s may distribute from it without blocking docking ports from the complex, as well as doing so by distributing out of the primary range of the station.
From the DTL, the Product Transports (PT)’s, should move cells to distant locations, such as TL’s patrolling through industrial blocks, such as (Home of Light, Red Light, Cloudbase Southwest, and Ore Belt.), using the multi-sector patrols. These should have homebased TS’s selling within the area of patrol. In areas with local military patrols, these TL’s are relatively safe, and do not need heavy escort.
For areas that require only small numbers of energy cells, but in constant supply, TL’s with larger hangars of Falcon Haulers or other high cargo space fighters, should be used from a TL patrolling only in that sector. TS’s will probably over supply, and cost profits.
The second method, also involves a Distribution TL, but typically only uses a single TL. Instead after the initial transportation to the TL, TS’s distribute the energy cells, or other product to Equipment Docks, or Trading stations, from which CAG’s or LT’s are based. A less effective method than that with TL’s, but the infinitely greater storage capacity of stations means less management once the selling loop is initiated.
Any resource can be distributed this way, though none are required by all races like energy cells, but this does allow for transportation of wares to far flung destinations of supply, without building entirely new complexes that must be protected. Since a self-sufficient complex requires no further intervention, this method of supply can be set up before the complex is built, and simply engaged from out of sector once the complex is completed.
Uses for this method include: Producing food in the safe eastern sectors, and transporting it to the much more dangerous, but more profitable western sectors. Feeding factories that cannot be purchased by the player, such as Terran weapon factories, and Tractor Beam factories. Producing resources not produced by player factories, or complexes, or which are not needed in large quantities, with any constancy.
A modified version of this may be used to ensure resupply for combat fleets.
Distributed Product collection for efficiency of transfer
This method actually works opposite to the above method. Once the factories producing the needed product are located, TS’s are given orders to purchase all available product, and pass it to a Collection TL (CTL), from this central collection point, either within each sector, or in a central location for multiple sectors, Such as Argon Prime for Home of Light, Red Light, Ringo Moon, Cloudbase Northwest, Herron’s Nebula, The Hole, and The Wall. However, the flaw is that disparate resources mean that there’s no easy method to transfer resources to a central point. CLS works, but the variety of resources means that only highly trained CLS pilots can move enough different types to be worth the effort to transfer this way. An alternate method is to use a TS SF, as an end point for each resource, and other TS’s to transfer to the next link. A second alternative is to use a Trading Station, or Equipment Dock as a Collection point, and then TS’s, or TL’s to transfer from those stations, to the next link.
Equipment Dock’s are useful because they can be directly used as a transfer point for TL’s, and have docking spaces for TS’s transferring cargo. Trading stations can have not only TS’s transferring goods off the station, but have an endless docking capacity for fighters, both to run out and fetch the necessary materials, and also defend the station in case of attack.
The next link in the chain, depending on the purpose of resource collection should either be an equipment dock, or TL. Equipment docks are excellent for equipping capital ships with weapons, while TL’s are capable of equipping the entire fleet with the Resupply Command.
Equipment docks are excellent end points in a supply chain, because they can dock and fill TL’s, which can then transfer to fleets in the field, as well as refueling them for the trip. TL’s are a less optimal choice, simply because they have less storage space than stations, but they also are mobile and can be moved out of danger should it appear, unlike Equipment Docks which remain in place and continue to attract TS’s attempting to bring supplies, necessitating immediate action to protect it and the investment it represents.
For those areas of the universe where dangers are rampant, and protection is at a premium, M6’s make good substitutes for TS’s with a combination of speed, firepower and defensive armament. The trade-off is more trips made because of a smaller cargo hold. Since the M6’s with the largest holds are also the most combat powerful, the trade-off must be carefully weighed, trade safety vs. number of trips vs. total cargo moved.
Distributed product transfer for open complex resource efficiency
Again the method maybe adapted to another use, this one for manipulating products from multiple sources. Used correctly, this allows for complexes to be supplied across gates, giving the freedom to construct complexes normally limited by lag in ways capable of reducing lag.
For example, harnessing the Ore and Silicon asteroids of Antigone Memorial, and connecting them into a complex, or pair of complexes, and using the Distribution transfer system to move the Silicon to a Crystal Fabrication Complex, and the resulting Crystals to a Solar Power Plant complex and then energy cells back to the Silicon Mine Complex. In short, an open complex that is still self-sufficient.
However more than simply being able to supply from a single complex, each step can be supplied from multiple complexes. So multiple Silicon Complexes may supply a single Crystal Complex, or several Crystal Complexes from multiple Silicon sources. Transporting these materials directly to the complexes may not be the best course of action, and so gathering the silicon or crystals into a single TL, and transporting it with TL’s can be more efficient than even super freighters. This prevents clogging of both the distribution chain and the space lanes. TL’s moving goods without a jump drive, even those not moving through hostile sectors, such as from Antigone Memorial to Ore Belt, must be escorted at all times. Even those with jump drives should have homebased fighter protection.
The first stage of the collection process must be the setting of two central collection hub TL’s. Each complex must have two TL’s, one for incoming energy cells, one for outgoing products. Set two TS’s from each TL to collect resources. The out going chain and incoming chain may be linked, or remain unlinked depending on preference. An incoming TL may take away product to the next link in the chain. As CLS pilots gain experience, they may take over more of the chain, though this may slow production and lower efficiency. Outgoing product TL’s collect from the first link, and drop product to the second link of the chain. Again, they may take outgoing products to the next link, or simply return for more. A single TL may also be used to generate a triangular trade run, consisting of incoming energy, outgoing product to another link closer to the power source, and then a trip back with incoming energy.
The second link in the chain must have three TL’s, one for incoming product, one for out going product, and one for energy. The Energy TL requires only one TS, since it is an important, but not vital resource and because production can be stopped for lack of other resources as well.
The final link in the chain needs only two TL’s, one for incoming product, one for outgoing energy.
Outgoing products may be distributed as described above to multiple purchasers, as well as being fed back into the production chain. Using multiple production complexes provides valuable flow control, keeping control in your hands, and allowing you to siphon excess product for sale to outside buyers, or to draw in outside products to cover any gaps in supply. Combining this with the above methods gains you the ability to command and control a huge empire with a minimum of management.
Exceptional uses for this method include feeding oversized complexes without further increasing lag, by distributing the food production and energy generation.
Working with all three strategies you can take control of the entire economy, without saturating it beyond what it can hold without breaking.
