Post on 25-Mar-2018
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Simulation Software Comparison
The comparison of AnyLogic and other simulation tools is inspired by ORMS Today Simulation Software Survey published in October 2015.
The comparison is divided into 7 chapters. Following is the list of the chapters and the information they contain:
Software Overview
• Vendors• Typical Applications• Primary Markets
Operating Systems / Software / Hardware Support
• Supported Operating Systems• Compatible Software to Perform Specialized Functions• Controlling or Running by External Software• Multiprocessor CPU Support
Model Building
• Supported Simulation Methodologies• Graphical Model Construction (i.e. drag-and-drop model building)• Programming / Access to Programmed Modules• Code Reuse (e.g., objects, templates)
Model Building (continued)
• Input Distribution Fitting• Output Analysis Support• Batch Run / Experimental Design
Model Building (continued)
• Optimization• Run Time Debug• Model Packaging (e.g., possibility to share a completed model with others who might lack the
software to develop their own model), Is This Feature Free?
Model Building (continued). Animation
• Cost Allocation / Costing• Mixed Discrete / Continuous Modeling (Levels, Flows, etc.)• Real Time Viewing• Export Animation (e.g., MPEG version that can run independent of simulation for presentation)• Compatible Animation Software• 3D Animation• Import CAD drawings
Additional Information
• Is Student Version Free?• Major New Features (since 2013)
• Vendor Comments
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Back Software Overview
Software Vendor Typical Applications Primary Markets
AnyLogic
AnyLogic North America
Multimethod general-purpose simulation tool
Manufacturing, Supply Chains and Logistics, Warehousing, Business Processes, Healthcare, Pedestrian Dynamics, Railroads, Vehicle Traffic, Oil and Gas, Mining, Defense, Social Processes and Marketing, Ports and Container Terminals, and more
Arena Rockwell Automation Arena is used for simulating and analyzing existing and proposed systems as well as operational analysis
Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Government, Healthcare, Logistics, Food and Beverage, Packaging, Mining, Call Centers
Enterprise Dynamics
INCONTROL Simulation Solutions
Manufacturing, Material Handling, Logistics
Manufacturing, Material Handling, Logistics
ExtendSim AT
Imagine That Inc.
DE processes: production lines, supply chains, Lean/Six Sigma, call centers, logistics, emergency rooms, transportation
Manufacturing, Business, Healthcare, Security and Defense, Transportation, Pharma, Green and Environmental Engineering, Communication
ExtendSim Suite Reliability, High-Speed/Volume Processes, Packaging Lines, Agent-Based, Process Flows, System Design, Prescriptive Analytics
Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Energy, Oil and Gas, Mining, Pulp and Paper, Government and Public Sector, Sales, Management Presentation
FlexSim
FlexSim Software Products, Inc.
Simulation and modeling of any process, with the purpose of analyzing, understanding, and optimizing that process
Manufacturing, Packaging, Warehousing, Material Handling, Supply Chains and Logistics, Healthcare, Factory, Aerospace, Mining
FlexSim Healthcare
Simulation and modeling to analyze, optimize, and better understand healthcare systems
Healthcare, Healthcare Systems, Architecture
Pedestrian Dynamics
INCONTROL Simulation Solutions
Crowd management & control Architects, AEC, Facility Owners, Emergency and Security Managers, Schools
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Software Vendor Typical Applications Primary Markets
Patient Flow RX
ProModel Corporation
Strategic High Level Patient Flow and Bad Management
Healthcare
Process Simulator
Lean, SixSigma, value stream mapping, process mapping, flow chart simulation, continuous process improvement
All
ProModel Optimization Suite
Process optimization and improvement, resource utilization, system capacity and throughput
Manufacturing, Production, Supply Chains and Logistics, Healthcare and Life Sciences
SAS Simulation Studio
SAS Discrete-event simulation: supply chains, resource management, capacity planning, workflow analysis, cost analysis, more
Manufacturing, Banking, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Energy, Government, Retail, Education, Transportation, etc.
Simio Simio LLC A product for professional modelers and researchers. Powerful OO modeling and integrated 3D animation for rapid modeling
Academic, Aerospace and Defense, Airports, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Mining, Military, Oil and Gas, Supply Chains, Transportation
SIMUL8 SIMUL8 Corporation Lean, Assembly Line, Strategic planning, BPMN, Line Balancing, Healthcare Systems, Shared Services, Capacity Planning
Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education, Engineering, Supply Chains and Logistics, Business, BPMN, Lean, Public Sector, Call Centers
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
Discrete-event simulation, visualization, analysis and optimization of material flow, resource utilization and logistics
Automotive OEM, Automotive Tier-1, Consulting, Aerospace, CPG, Logistics, High-tech and Electronics, Machinery, Healthcare
WITNESS Lanner Facility and Process Design, Resource and Throughput optimization
Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Nuclear, Defense
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Back Operating Systems / Software / Hardware Support
Software Supported Operating Systems
Compatible Software to Perform Specialized Functions
Controlling or Running by an External Software
Multiprocessor CPU Support
AnyLogic Windows, Mac, Linux Excel, Access, any database, OptQuest, Stat::Fit, any Java / DLL library e.g. for bayesian or neural networks
AnyLogic models can be exported as standalone Java applications that can be run from/by any other application
Arena Windows OptQuest Visual Studio for the purpose of automation as well as VB
Enterprise Dynamics
Windows Various Various
ExtendSim AT
Windows, Mac Excel, Access, SQL Server, MySQL, Stat::Fit, JMP, Minitab, any custom DLL
Can be controlled and communicated with as a COM Automation Server by Excel, Access, or any other Windows application that can be configured as an Automation controller
ExtendSim Suite
FlexSim
Windows Excel, database software, C++ applications
OLE, ActiveX
FlexSim Healthcare
OLE
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Software Supported Operating Systems
Compatible Software to Perform Specialized Functions
Controlling or Running by an External Software
Multiprocessor CPU Support
Pedestrian Dynamics
Windows Various Various
Patient Flow RX
Windows
Excel Excel
Process Simulator
Excel, Visio Visio
ProModel Optimization Suite
Excel, Access Excel, Access, C#, VB, VBA
SAS Simulation Studio
Windows SAS and JMP software, either run externally or embedded via SAS Program block
Any program that is able to launch a Java application
Simio Windows Microsoft Azure, Wonderware, OptQuest, .Net Programs, Excel, Access, SQL Server, MySQL
Wonderware, OptQuest, any .Net Programs
SIMUL8 Windows Excel, Stat::Fit, OptQuest, SQL Databases
Excel, any COM enabled IDE
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Windows Matlab, C dlls, Excel, SAP, Simatic IT, Teamcenter, Autocad, Microstation
Any software supporting remote control functionality, e.g. COM
WITNESS Windows Can link in any COM enabled DLL or EXE as a component module
OLE and COM control options
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Back Model Building
Software Supported Simulation Methodologies
Graphical Model Construction
Programming / Access to Programmed Modules
Code Reuse
AnyLogic Discrete Event, Agent-Based, and System Dynamics
Arena Discrete Event
Enterprise Dynamics
Discrete Event
ExtendSim AT
Discrete Event
ExtendSim Suite
FlexSim
Discrete Event FlexSim Healthcare
Pedestrian Dynamics
Discrete Event
Patient Flow RX
Discrete Event
Process Simulator
ProModel Optimization Suite
SAS Simulation Studio
Discrete Event
Simio Discrete Event
SIMUL8 Discrete Event
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Discrete Event
WITNESS Discrete Event
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Back Model Building (continued)
Software Input Distribution Fitting Output Analysis Support Batch Run / Experimental Design
AnyLogic 31 built-in distributions plus custom distribution. Distribution fitting with Stat::Fit, ExpertFit, or other software
Reports, model execution logs, charts, output to the built-in fully integrated database or any external data source (databases, spreadsheets, text files)
Flexible user interface to create the following experiments: Parameter Variation, Compare Runs, Monte Carlo, Sensitivity Analysis, Calibration, and Custom
Arena Arena Input Analyzer to fit distributions
Arena Output Analyzer and Process Analyzer to review results and users may use external products as well
Process Analyzer to run a series of different model runs in a batch
Enterprise Dynamics
Autofit module to generate distributions based on actual data
Functionalities for the generation of reports and Experiment Wizard to do extensive analysis
Scenario Manager to define experimental designs. Batch runs are part of the functionality of Experiment Wizard
ExtendSim AT
35 pre-defined distributions plus includes Stat::Fit software for distribution fitting
Scenario Manager factors and responses can be dialog variables, database tables/records/fields, and even entire databases. Also Sensitivity Analysis, quantile and interval statistical analysis, Gantt charts, and confidence intervals plus export to other applications for analysis
At user option. Store run results in the internal database or export to an external application. DOE includes manual, full factorial, and two options each for JMP custom design and Minitab optimal design
ExtendSim Suite
FlexSim
Fully integrated with ExpertFit
A full suite of charts and graphs in the Dashboard, as well as extensive Excel output options
An experimentation engine is built into the software FlexSim
Healthcare
Pedestrian Dynamics
Autofit module to generate distributions based on actual data
Visual Analysis Support is included
Experiment Wizard to perform batch runs or experimental design
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Software Input Distribution Fitting Output Analysis Support Batch Run / Experimental Design
Patient Flow RX
15 pre-defined distributions, plus distribution fitting using Stat::Fit included
Output analysis reports and charts included. Also outputs in Excel and Minitab for analysis
Scenarios can be predefined to experiment on parameters Process
Simulator
ProModel Optimization Suite
16 statistical distributions available
Output Viewer and Minitab Running multiple scenarios
SAS Simulation Studio
JMP software integration SAS software products Experimental design; automated via JMP software integration
Simio Works with ExpertFit and Stat::Fit. Supports table driven input sampling
MORE Plots for risk analysis, sensitivity analysis, custom dashboards, comprehensive data in pivot tables, export summary or details to external packages
Run manual scenarios with multiple replications. Concurrent full use of all processors. Built-in ranking and selection
SIMUL8 Custom options within software and Stat::Fit
Multiple Replications and Scenario Management
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Beta, Binomial, Cauchy, Continuous Empirical, Erlang, Gamma, Laplace, Normal, Pareto, Poisson, Triangular, Uniform, Weibull, and many others
Datafit, Charts, Sankey, Bottleneck Analyzer, Energy Analyzer, Neural Networks
Built-in Experiment Manager supporting distributed simulation
WITNESS recommend ExperFit Multi response tables / charts, variance and boxplot charts, confidence intervals, parameter sensitivity report. Direct link to Minitab
WITNESS Experimenter, simple and advanced modes, line by line or range / sets combination, batch command options
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Back Model Building (continued) Software Optimization Run Time
Debug Model Packaging Is This Feature
Free?
AnyLogic OptQuest included, any custom optimization algorithms
Models can be exported as standalone Java applications or shared online on RunTheModel.com
Arena OptQuest for Arena Arena Runtime
Enterprise Dynamics
Various integrated links to optimizers
Enterprise Dynamics Viewer
ExtendSim AT
An evolutionary optimizer included
Two RunTime packages are available: the Demo/Player and the Analysis. Open and run models built by others. Change parameters and view results
Demo/Player RunTime is free
Analysis RunTime has more capabilities and costs extra
ExtendSim Suite
FlexSim
An optimization engine powered by OptQuest available
The trial version of FlexSim / FlexSim Healthcare is capable of running any simulation model built with FlexSim / FlexSim Healthcare
FlexSim Healthcare
Pedestrian Dynamics
Pedestrian Dynamics Viewer
Patient Flow RX
Via experiments and running simulation scenarios
ProModel Silver RunTime
Process Simulator
Visio, Excel
ProModel Optimization Suite
Via SimRunner ProModel Silver RunTime
SAS Simulation Studio
Via data transfer to SAS/OR software; can be embedded in simulation model via SAS Program block
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Software Optimization Run Time Debug
Model Packaging Is This Feature Free?
Simio OptQuest. Featuring Multi-Objective and Pattern Frontier optimization
Requires Team Edition or above to package model
SIMUL8 OptQuest SIMUL8 Viewer and SIMUL8 Web
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Genetic Algorithm, Layout Optimizer, Neural Networks, Hill Climbing, Dynamic Programming, Branch and Bound
Built-in Pack and Go functionality
WITNESS Algorithms incorporated in WITNESS Experimenter include Simulated Annealing, Tabu search, Hill Climb and Six Sigma algorithm
Run-only licenses available
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Back Model Building (continued). Animation Software Cost
Allocation / Costing
Mixed Discrete / Continuous Modeling
Real Time Viewing
Export Animation
Compatible Animation Software
3D Animation Import CAD Drawings
AnyLogic
Arena
Enterprise Dynamics
ExtendSim AT
ExtendSim Suite
FlexSim
FlexSim Healthcare
Pedestrian Dynamics
Patient Flow RX
Process Simulator
ProModel Optimization Suite
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Software Cost Allocation / Costing
Mixed Discrete / Continuous Modeling
Real Time Viewing
Export Animation
Compatible Animation Software
3D Animation Import CAD Drawings
SAS Simulation Studio
Simio
SIMUL8
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
WITNESS
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Back Additional Information Software Is Student
Version Free? Major New Features (since 2013)
Vendor Comments
AnyLogic New GIS implementation with support of online-based tile maps; Road Traffic Library; Fluid Library; built-in database
The only simulation tool that supports combining Discrete Event, Agent-Based, and System Dynamics simulations in one model
Arena Updates have been made to OptQuest interface, 3D Animation, Symbol Factory, Data Interfaces
Enterprise Dynamics
64bit version, enhanced visualization capabilities, customized reporting, extended graph functionalities, new objects
ExtendSim AT ADO DB support, Statistics DB report, ExtendSim DB Add-In for Excel, Item Logging, Templates Library, Smart Blocks/Connection
The advanced technology in ExtendSim AT simplifies modeling & analysis of complex processes & scales as your company grows
ExtendSim Suite
Flow Attributes, ES DB Add-In for Excel, Multi-Component Failure Modeling, Recipe Building and Batching Capabilities, Enhanced ARM
When you want a little more than ExtendSim AT. Bundled pkg with 3D animation, discrete rate capability,reliability technology
FlexSim Enhanced material handling features (AGV and Conveyor modules), improved charts and graphs
FlexSim is committed to help answer questions relating to any process in the most intuitive, easy-to-use interface possible
FlexSim Healthcare
Improved documentation, enhanced visuals (including shadows and shaders), improved interface, 64-bit version
FlexSim Healthcare is committed to supporting the healthcare industry by helping them answer "what if" questions
Pedestrian Dynamics
Enhanced algorithms for crowd management & control, 64bit version, enhanced visualization, new simulation objects
Patient Flow RX
Process Simulator
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Software Is Student Version Free?
Major New Features (since 2013)
Vendor Comments
ProModel Optimization Suite
SharePoint Connection, Multi-View Runner, Intellisense, Logic Windows, Syntax Guide ,Expanded Debug Window
SAS Simulation Studio
Parallel execution of design points, real-time data trimming, enhanced mobile resource management
Included with SAS/OR. Integrated with SAS and JMP analytical capabilities. Models can incorporate any SAS or JMP code
Simio See the website for a comprehensive list. Our list of recent developments is incredible!
Latest architecture, designed by the Dr. C. Dennis Pegden team, takes Flexibility and Rapid Modeling to new levels
SIMUL8 Day Planner, Resource Schedule, Travel Time Matrix, Resource Individuality, Scheduled Maintenance, MORE Plot,Variable Collect
SIMUL8 Professional includes, Online Training and Annual Maintenance for the first year as standard
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Pointcloud integration, Energy analysis, Fluids simulation, PLM integration, Worker behavior, Multi-portal cranes
Siemens PLM Software appreciates the opportunity to participate in this simulation survey
WITNESS All new 3D technology with options for full immersion. New Experimenter with COM API, Upgraded Interface
WITNESS sells on productive quick modelling with great experimentation and sensational VR when required