Linear Valuation
The Linear valuation should only be used in unique situations.
Mathematically, your agent offers the same unit price regardless of the quantity requested, which might at first seem desirable. Practically, however, because the Resource agent ranks bids based on unit price offered, this results in a take-it-or-leave-it offer by your agent. You receive an allocation only if the market price stays at or below your offered price. Your agent is not empowered, as in other valuations, to offer a higher unit price for a lower quantity in order to continue contending for an allocation.
Two configurable parameters determine the behavior of the Linear valuation.
· “Qty” sets the maximum quantity desired. Your agent initially requests this amount, and if rejected, may only request a lower amount at the same unit price.
· “Value” sets the maximum amount of out-of-pocket cost you are willing to pay for the maximum quantity desired. The unit price that your agent will offer in its bids is the “Value” divided by the “Qty.”
Note that the cost and valuation curves are identical, so the graph only shows the cost (yellow) curve.