There are so many software packages!

[rwilcox]

How does one choose (particularly for non-manufacturing simulation) a simulation software package? There are so many, and much of the advertising I've seen for these packages seems addressed primarily or almost entirely to the potential client with manufacturing use(s) in mind.

[rlote]

Hello rwilcox,

Many Simulation Software companies indeed focus on Manufacturing Applications. Nonetheless, every simulation software has certain strengths as well as weaknesses. For example: AutoMod provides powerful 3D animation but it also has a steep learning curve. Witness, on the contrary, does NOT provide good 3D animation but it is very easy to use.

Irrespective of whether it is Manufacturing or Non-Manufacturing application, selection of simulation software always depends on objectives of the simulation study and specific requirements of the simulation modeler.

Hope this helps.

[jojox]

[QUOTE=rwilcox;70]How does one choose (particularly for non-manufacturing simulation) a simulation software package? There are so many, and much of the advertising I've seen for these packages seems addressed primarily or almost entirely to the potential client with manufacturing use(s) in mind.[/QUOTE]

Choosing a simulation software package is not as easy as it sounds. There are many criteria's to think of and the link below gives you a good introduction to how to proceed.

[url]http://w3.ppd.chalmers.se/~job/CIRP2002_DRCA.pdf[/url]

In general these software's can be divided into simulation languages and simulators, and the further you come to simulators the more prebuilt objects (such as machines and buffers) you can find. But when it all comes to the core of the software it's based on pure program language such as C++ or Java. I have seen users that quit using the simulation software and started directly with the "language"

[rwilcox]

I have heard it claimed, surprisingly often, that knowing GPSS is still valuable, even though it is apparently not commonly used any more. The basis for this claim is that knowing it FORCES the modeler into a good understanding of the Current Events Chain and the Future Events Chain. I am very interested in hearing comment on either side of this issue, and hearing from both educators and practitioners. Thanks, rwilcox.

[ewilliams]

I agree strongly. Years ago I taught GPSS from the "big red book" (the famous one by Thomas J. Schriber). Both GPSS and the book force the modeler to think carefully about what happens when there is a time tie (in those olden days, the GPSS clock assumed integer values only!). A thorough understanding of the Current and Future Events Chains was demonstrably and obviously vital to correct modeling then. Today it is still vital -- but not quite so obviously at superficial examination!

[mfkhan]

Dear All,
I am student of Birmingham City University and am doing research on agile project management. I have designed a small survey. The average time to complete the survey is 5 minutes. I request you all, please participate in the survey and answer as many questions as possible. Also, I would be really thankfull if you forward it any IT or software Project manager you know.
Following is a link to the survey
http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=drk2xp2wqlq7dg1468758

Also if you know any software project manger, IT manager ot IT team lead please forward it to them. I will really appreciate your valuable inputs.
Thanks for your time
Regards
Faisal