The local driver’s license center processes applications for driver’s license renewals through the following three steps. First, the customer registers with the receptionist, who updates the customer’s information in the database. This first step takes 2 minutes per customer. Then the customer visits one of two cashiers to pay the associated fees for the license renewal. This takes 8 minutes per customer because several forms must be printed from the computer and signed by the customer. Finally, the customer visits one of three license processing stations where the customer’s picture is taken and the license is printed. This final step takes 15 minutes per customer.
a. Assuming unlimited demand, what is the flow rate of the process in customers per hour? per hour
b. Assuming unlimited demand, what would the new flow rate be if the center added one server to the bottleneck resource? per hour