Simul8
Encyclopedia
SIMUL8 simulation software
is a product of the SIMUL8 Corporation used for simulating systems
that involve processing
of discrete entities
at discrete times
. This program
is a tool for planning
, design, optimization
and reengineering
of real production, manufacturing, logistic
or service provision systems. SIMUL8 allows its user to create a computer model, which takes into account real life constraints, capacities, failure rates, shift patterns, and other factors affecting the total performance and efficiency of production. Through this model it is possible to test real scenarios in a virtual environment, for example simulate planned function and load of the system, change parameters affecting system performance, carry out extreme-load tests, verify by experiments
the proposed solutions and select the optimal solution. A common feature of problems solved in SIMUL8 is that they are concerned with cost, time and inventory.
SIMUL8 uses dynamic discrete simulation
, which makes it possible to provide unambiguous and concrete results and proofs - information on how the designed or optimized production system will actually function. The outputs of SIMUL8 simulation are "hard data", values and statistics of performance parameters and metrics of the production system
.
a two-way interface
with Visual Basic
, which leaves space for creation of advanced model features, which cannot be modeled using only the graphical interface. SIMUL8 also provides its own simulation language
based on Visual Basic
called Visual Logic, which allows the user to implement detailed logic
of the simulation. The design of SIMUL8 also facilitates communication with other software packages such as Microsoft Access
, Excel
and Visio
. The support of XML
and OLE automation allows working with external sources of data and exporting internal data to other systems. SIMUL8 also supports communication with databases
using SQL
.
consists of a number of these objects and of the routes between them, modeled as a directed graph
.
The outputs of the simulation provide information about:
, health care
, contact centers
and supply chain
.
SIMUL8 can be used to simulate different kinds of:
Related software
Simulation software
Simulation software is based on the process of modeling a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. It is, essentially, a program that allows the user to observe an operation through simulation without actually performing that operation...
is a product of the SIMUL8 Corporation used for simulating systems
System
System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....
that involve processing
Data processing
Computer data processing is any process that a computer program does to enter data and summarise, analyse or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analysing, sorting, summarising, calculating, disseminating and...
of discrete entities
Discrete mathematics
Discrete mathematics is the study of mathematical structures that are fundamentally discrete rather than continuous. In contrast to real numbers that have the property of varying "smoothly", the objects studied in discrete mathematics – such as integers, graphs, and statements in logic – do not...
at discrete times
Discrete time
Discrete time is the discontinuity of a function's time domain that results from sampling a variable at a finite interval. For example, consider a newspaper that reports the price of crude oil once every day at 6:00AM. The newspaper is described as sampling the cost at a frequency of once per 24...
. This program
Computer program
A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
is a tool for planning
Planning
Planning in organizations and public policy is both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior...
, design, optimization
Process optimization
Process optimization is the discipline of adjusting a process so as to optimize some specified set of parameters without violating some constraint. The most common goals are minimizing cost, maximizing throughput, and/or efficiency...
and reengineering
Business process reengineering
Business process re-engineering is the analysis and design of workflows and processes within an organization.According to Davenport a business process is a set of logically related tasks performed to achieve a defined business outcome....
of real production, manufacturing, logistic
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
or service provision systems. SIMUL8 allows its user to create a computer model, which takes into account real life constraints, capacities, failure rates, shift patterns, and other factors affecting the total performance and efficiency of production. Through this model it is possible to test real scenarios in a virtual environment, for example simulate planned function and load of the system, change parameters affecting system performance, carry out extreme-load tests, verify by experiments
Experiment
An experiment is a methodical procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying, or establishing the validity of a hypothesis. Experiments vary greatly in their goal and scale, but always rely on repeatable procedure and logical analysis of the results...
the proposed solutions and select the optimal solution. A common feature of problems solved in SIMUL8 is that they are concerned with cost, time and inventory.
SIMUL8 uses dynamic discrete simulation
Discrete Event Simulation
In discrete-event simulation, the operation of a system is represented as a chronological sequence of events. Each event occurs at an instant in time and marks a change of state in the system...
, which makes it possible to provide unambiguous and concrete results and proofs - information on how the designed or optimized production system will actually function. The outputs of SIMUL8 simulation are "hard data", values and statistics of performance parameters and metrics of the production system
Production system
A production system is a computer program typically used to provide some form of artificial intelligence, which consists primarily of a set of rules about behavior. These rules, termed productions, are a basic representation found useful in automated planning, expert systems and action selection...
.
Model building
Construction of SIMUL8 models is usually not based on programming or statistical data, but rather on drawing organization schemes on the screen. However, SIMUL8 implementsImplementation
Implementation is the realization of an application, or execution of a plan, idea, model, design, specification, standard, algorithm, or policy.-Computer Science:...
a two-way interface
Interface (computer science)
In the field of computer science, an interface is a tool and concept that refers to a point of interaction between components, and is applicable at the level of both hardware and software...
with Visual Basic
Visual Basic
Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
, which leaves space for creation of advanced model features, which cannot be modeled using only the graphical interface. SIMUL8 also provides its own simulation language
Programming language
A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....
based on Visual Basic
Visual Basic
Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
called Visual Logic, which allows the user to implement detailed logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
of the simulation. The design of SIMUL8 also facilitates communication with other software packages such as Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
, Excel
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
and Visio
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio , formerly known as Microsoft Office Visio, is a commercial diagramming program for Microsoft Windows that uses vector graphics to create diagrams.- Features :...
. The support of XML
XML
Extensible Markup Language is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form. It is defined in the XML 1.0 Specification produced by the W3C, and several other related specifications, all gratis open standards....
and OLE automation allows working with external sources of data and exporting internal data to other systems. SIMUL8 also supports communication with databases
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
using SQL
SQL
SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
.
Basic components of SIMUL8 environment
A SIMUL8 simulation revolves around processing work items. They enter the system via work entry points, pass through work centers, may temporarily reside in storage areas and leave via work exit points. In addition to this mechanism, work centers may need specific resources to process work items. A simulationSimulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
consists of a number of these objects and of the routes between them, modeled as a directed graph
Directed graph
A directed graph or digraph is a pair G= of:* a set V, whose elements are called vertices or nodes,...
.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Work item (element, entity) |
models physical or logical objects Object (computer science) In computer science, an object is any entity that can be manipulated by the commands of a programming language, such as a value, variable, function, or data structure... moving through the system System System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole.... . Entities enter the system, induce different sorts of activities, use different kinds of resources and at the end leave the system. A customer, product or document can be a SIMUL8 model entity. |
| Work entry point (entrance) | objects Object (computer science) In computer science, an object is any entity that can be manipulated by the commands of a programming language, such as a value, variable, function, or data structure... that represent the entry of entities into the system (for example an arrival of customer or formation of a product |
| Work center (activity, action) |
objects Object (computer science) In computer science, an object is any entity that can be manipulated by the commands of a programming language, such as a value, variable, function, or data structure... that model activities which the entities go through. Resources are typically used during execution of an activity |
| Storage bin (queue, stack) |
objects Object (computer science) In computer science, an object is any entity that can be manipulated by the commands of a programming language, such as a value, variable, function, or data structure... that model cumulation of entities. The stack usually precedes activities for which the stacked entities wait because of lack of resources |
| Work exit point (exit) |
a place through which the entities leave the modelled system (completion of an order, leaving of a customer) |
| Resource (source) |
objects Object (computer science) In computer science, an object is any entity that can be manipulated by the commands of a programming language, such as a value, variable, function, or data structure... that are used for modelling capacity restraints of workers, material or means of production used in activities |
| Route | objects that connect all the other simulation objects Object (computer science) In computer science, an object is any entity that can be manipulated by the commands of a programming language, such as a value, variable, function, or data structure... . They represent sequences of activities and thus the movement of entities in the system. |
Typical inputs and outputs
These are the most common parameters of a SIMUL8 model, which are set by the user to influence the conditions of simulated environment:- cycle times
- production rate
- capacity of production equipment
- arrival/order rates
- production rates of production equipment
- statistics of production equipment failures
The outputs of the simulation provide information about:
- utilizationUtilizationUtilization is a statistical concept as well as a primary business measure for the rental industry.-Queueing theory:In queueing theory, utilization is the proportion of the system's resources which is used by the traffic which arrives at it. It should be strictly less than one for the system to...
of production equipment - identification of bottlenecks
- production system performance
- inventory levels
Areas of use
SIMUL8 can be used to model any process where there is a flow of work, however the main areas of use are in manufacturingManufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
, health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, contact centers
Contact centre (business)
A contact centre is a facility used by companies to manage all client contact through a variety of mediums such as telephone, fax, letter, e-mail and increasingly, online live chat....
and supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
.
SIMUL8 can be used to simulate different kinds of:
- manufacturing systems such as assembly lineAssembly lineAn assembly line is a manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner using optimally planned logistics to create a finished product much faster than with handcrafting-type methods...
models or models of material flow during production - logic systems such as model of manipulation with material between storage, manufacturing and expedition, models of storage expeditionary systems or models of logistic services for distribution centers
- administrative workflowsWorkflowA workflow consists of a sequence of connected steps. It is a depiction of a sequence of operations, declared as work of a person, a group of persons, an organization of staff, or one or more simple or complex mechanisms. Workflow may be seen as any abstraction of real work...
such as model of received orders - client service systems or service delivery such as model of customer attendance at banks, models of call center customer attendance or models of customer attendance at hypermarket cash desks
See also
- Discrete event simulationDiscrete Event SimulationIn discrete-event simulation, the operation of a system is represented as a chronological sequence of events. Each event occurs at an instant in time and marks a change of state in the system...
- Computer model
- Process optimizationProcess optimizationProcess optimization is the discipline of adjusting a process so as to optimize some specified set of parameters without violating some constraint. The most common goals are minimizing cost, maximizing throughput, and/or efficiency...
- Simulation softwareSimulation softwareSimulation software is based on the process of modeling a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. It is, essentially, a program that allows the user to observe an operation through simulation without actually performing that operation...
Related software
- Simcad ProSimcad ProSimcad Pro simulation software is a product of CreateASoft, Inc which is used for simulating process based environments such as manufacturing, supply lines, logistics, healthcare, and many others. The software is a tool for planning, organizing, optimizing, and engineering real process based systems...
- Simprocess
- ExtendSimExtendSimExtendSim is a simulation program for modeling discrete event, continuous, agent-based, and discrete rate processes. There are four ExtendSim packages: CP for continuous processes; OR which adds discrete event; AT which adds discrete rate, a number of advanced modeling features , and Stat::Fit...
- First Step Designer
- AutoMod
- Factory Explorer
- Micro Saint
- Visual Simulation Environment
- Witness
- STARDIS