Simio

Vorteile

I absolutely love using Simio. It is such a powerful tool and it makes sense why the premium paid version is so expensive. However the biggest pro I see is that there is a free version that can be used which can help one understand the world of simulation. Simio has everything one needs to perform the complicated simulation process that otherwise would require us to write 100s of lines of code and make debugging difficult and daunting. I have been using Simio to do various distribution simulations such as uniform, exponential, triangular and so on and I don;t have to think how to do random number generation. Simio has so much more tool such as I love the reliability function where i can define what are likelihood of a machine failing and how much it would affect my throughput and productivity due to the varying repair times. The best part of Simio is that you can see the live simulation of your system in real time. Create a simulation for a M/M/1 queuing system to replicate a ice-cream store and watch how your customers arrival and service times affects your business. Fun part of simio is one can actually assing model entities with actual people and replace boxes with actual images which makes the presentation part of your system more engaging with the team. if you are a simulation guy/girl/business this software has everything one needs to validate, verify the architecture and answer questions that is not possible to be solved analytically.

Nachteile

It is lot of work to learn this software and there are not much resources online readily available. Most resources are integrated to Simio and so looking at videos provided by Simio and reading the help section is the way to go. The free software however cannot simulate really huge simulation system and at that point one needs to purchase the paid version. getting around the software is daunting and there are lot of aspects one needs to know to figure out how to create their system.

Vorteile

Simio has been easy to learn and allows great flexibility and power for modeling different scenarios. Additionally, the company has been great to work with and the staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and accessible. You can tell they have a great company culture.

Nachteile

On bigger models it can run a little slow, but this is probably mainly a hardware issue or a lack of modeling efficiency on my end.

Vorteile

The visualizations in this software are out of this world, some of the best I've seen.

Nachteile

The learning curve on this software is steep, very steep.

Vorteile

Simio software consists of standardized library. In order to focus on the visuals and to forget the analysis, this software is really easy for creating simulation models. It is no doubt the superb choice for business. It is quite easy to learn while other simulation software are quite difficult to learn comparatively. Its functionalities are really awesome with less time consuming. No doubt best ever simulation software. Matchless software with fantastic 3D animations.

Nachteile

There are not any specific cons about this software. Simulation is mostly written in graphical programming language which is no doubt easy for small and quick designs but as we move further this software is failed to navigate while discussing large and complex simulations. Above discuss is the only con I can hardly think of.

Vorteile

The support tools available for Simio are incredible. There are tutorial videos for every level of user and it's very easy to pick up quickly. The software itself is fairly intuitive and you can have simulations created from scratch in a matter of minutes.

Nachteile

I don't really have any cons that I can think of, maybe navigating from one area of Simio to another can be confusing every now and then.

Vorteile

Easy of use and very intuitive when you get introduced with the basic. It allows for easy creation, editing and analysis of complex systems simulation.

Nachteile

Advanced functions might get hard to use if you don't have an experienced user helping you. Error messages could be more explicit and create a reference to where the configurational conflict lies.

Vorteile

The program gives an incredible amount of information and is far more accurate than the spread-sheet based caclulations we used in the past.

Nachteile

Setup of a true working model is very complicated and terribly time consuming. This is not a simple "drop in a box or two to make a production line and there it works" type of program, you need to invest the time using accurate input information in order to be able develop a true working model. Thereafter you need to keep updating your models in order to keep them relevant.

Vorteile

The amount of documentation is very good. The one prepared by SIMIO is excellent. It is very easy to use.

Nachteile

If I have a specific doubt, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to solve it. I need a very good computer to run smoothly.

Vorteile

Endlessly customizable - you can pretty much model any process within your business and test variations quickly without investing in expensive prototyping processes.

Nachteile

Its plugin and extension functionality is still fairly basic and not as user friendly as it could be.

Vorteile

-It is completely User-friendly
-Very easy to learn
-Lots of exercises which help to learn the software

Nachteile

-It is running a little slow in big simulation models
-There are not enough tutorials on the internet

Vorteile

Can build a simple model that quickly demonstrates value to organization and then has power to scale up to much more complex as needed

Nachteile

It’s a VERY mouse intensive software. and many basic features are missing for making model professional looking.

Vorteile

Elegant interface and data structure, Siman brought to its best.

Nachteile

Lack of support for big models. Limitations in graphical display.
Many expressions too deeply embedded. Too much clicks required. Lack of quick programming shorcuts.

Vorteile

With its special process-chart like 'visual programming' technology, modeler will have more time to spend on value-added work in the simulation project. you cann't find the same level of ease of use for the competing products.

Nachteile

The 3D effect is still not that fancy. Cannot do very detailed motion-modeling.

Vorteile

The software is very easy to use. It allows the students to put together a simple working model very quickly. Its experimentation mode allows for comparison of different scenarios, and the charting features and statistical results are easy to follow. Students love the 3D animation.

Nachteile

Honestly, I can't think of any. The workbook for Simio provides a step-by-step illustration and truly allows the users to grasp a new modeling concept within a fairly short amount of time. Granted, it takes practice to be able to remember the features and steps, but that is true of any simulation software packages.

Vorteile

Object Oriented
Easy to Use
Use by Industry

Vorteile

Ease of use and smooth integration between various libraries. To make your animation looks great is a breeze. We have tried quite complex expressions and Simio was always up to it. It is very quick to test a concept due to objects and easy to use processes.

Nachteile

The fact that in the "State Variable Name" field you don't have access to the normal Expression Builder. This is true for all Assign functions.

Vorteile

No coding characteristic

Nachteile

Price

Vorteile

Advanced modeling constructs. Exceptional support. Regularly adds new features. Great user support group.

Nachteile

Need a Mac and Linux version. Would be great to have programming interface with R and python. Simio when deployed in a virtual environment is very sluggish (at least the set up in our university).

Vorteile

Easy learning, integration and visualization with another software

Nachteile

Summary statics is very complex, will be more explicit

Vorteile

the graphics diagrams and option to validate results

Nachteile

Some gaps between the examples and the explanations to define the characteristics.

Vorteile

Easy of Use, complex ability in a user friendly configuration.

Nachteile

Large programs can slow down the system. Recovery is immediate afterwards.

Vorteile

Love the software's versatility in handling complicated scenarios! There's a feature for anything and everything!

Nachteile

Not a big fan of the way the statistics are being reported. I wish there was a way to output data results into an Excel sheet.

Vorteile

The ease of use for students to get the basic fundamentals of discrete event simulation. I also like the book and workbook associated with the software.

Nachteile

More tutorials on how to use certain aspects of the software for students. I also sometimes the way to get clipart sometimes gets stuck.

Vorteile

I have a good amount of experience with Arena and I can see how faster it can be with Simio to accomplish the same thing, especially the animation. I also appreciate the agent-based modeling with the token concept.

Nachteile

I find there is a lack of documentation in general. I have not found good documentation on functions and applications. Simbit is limited and examples are sometimes too complex. I have not found a description of functions and different utilization example. I would have liked to see a description of all functionalities of a server for example.

There are so many users that come from Arena, I would have expected to see documentation to address the differences and suggest best practices to approach modeling.

Vorteile

Very easy to get started and model most simulation-related processes quickly. Users like the customizable entities and integration of downloadable 3D models to make the visualization very realistic.

Nachteile

Data import of large data sets with many different attributes is limited by the current interface. Customizing entity flow is only possible to some extent.

Vorteile

I can build a simple model as early as possible and visualize how it will operate from entity arrivals into the system to the exit point. After evaluating my model from visualization, I can modify it as I go to add additional complex modes of operation. I like that I can see the movement of entities and the structure layout of the simio object library. It's simple to drag and drop the objects and model as you go.

Nachteile

One limit I did not like about simio or perhaps I am not sure how to implement such operation in Simio, is the lack of a feature to scan in real-time whether the traveling path is occupied and if so, I would have to pause the up coming entities from transferring to path until the path is free.

Vorteile

Standard Library - Object Orientated approach to modelling means models can become objects in other models.

Copy and Paste - Processes data, functions etc can be copied between models.

Key Felds Data can be created like a database i.e. enter once use multiple times.

External Data - Supports links with external data files such as CSV or excel.

Easy Scenario Creation - Experiment function allows easy creation of multiple experiments and comparison of results.

Vorteile

Handles highly complex simulations--we model 25+ slips, 30 vessels, 25 offshore locations, and more than 30 different types of demand product types such as barite, cement, casing, and baskets. Scheduler optimizes schedule based on lowest tangible and intangible costs and considers weather forecast, crew change schedules, and tank cleaning.

Nachteile

Simulation is written in a graphical programming language which is great for small, quick designs, but gets cumbersome to navigate in very large and complex simulations.

Vorteile

The ability to use data modeling to add intelligence to the entities is amazing.
The task precedence ability is another feature where SIMIO stands apart. Finally the ability to model dynamic moving resources is another great feature.

Nachteile

The feature creep of these objects has grown to out of control. The bloating of the objects has made it difficult to teach and modify them. So many properties and features. Their conveyor modeling is a little primitive. The ability to not set the controls in an experiment from a excel table with the all the optimization parameters for each control is a pain.

Vorteile

The ease of use and of parametrization of elements. In honest comparison with other software of similar capability, the elements parameter are incredibly easy to access and to modify. The simulations themselves seem to have been otpimized in comparison to similar software on the market, as the computing time for similar task is quite reduced.

Nachteile

The documentation of the software might need improvement, as it tends to be sometimes complicated to obtain specific information on specific matter. The recommended books and written tutorials are not always sufficient for the variety of simulaiton work that one may encounter

Vorteile

This software has been the full package for me, providing the functions, details, and support required to build advanced simulations.

Nachteile

If anything I woudl say that the biggest issue is that the program is so robust that I required an extensive in-service to learn my way through it, difficult to self-start.

Vorteile

Flexibility, ease of use, responsive development team

Nachteile

Nothing immediately comes to mind!

Vorteile

The user interface is one of the best in the market. It´s always improving and they have an amazing team for support. They have helped me several times with questions that I had. Most of the time they answer the same day.
What I like the most is their policy towards education, particularly higher education. They provide all kind of help: documentation, demos, videos, books, blog, etc.
The "3D Warehouse" that connects automatically is free and very complete for improving your existing model.
The Simbits are the best tool for learning the software and for fast reference about doing something particular. I recommend any user to check anytime those Simbits.

Nachteile

I recently started to use Dashboards. However, there is not much info about how to use it and develop it. Anyway, this is a minor detail.

Vorteile

I like having the ability to rapidly model quick systems, but also having the ability to add in any level of complexity.

Nachteile

i least like the inability to view logs over multiple simulations to track information like buffer queues over time.

Vorteile

User support is quick and helps with solving problems
Great community of users with usefull forum
Great 3D visualization
Object, entity, process oriented simulation software
Easy to use

Nachteile

didn't find any

Vorteile

It's very visual and this makes it much easier to convince stakeholders of solutions shown with Simio. The software also helps us with decision making.

Nachteile

It's not always obvious how the software works, so training and good online resources are definitely necessary. Luckily Simio does provide these, you just need to take the time to sit and play around with the software.

Vorteile

Can be applied to many different scenarios and is easy to toggle between 3D and 2D modelling.

Nachteile

Available libraries is limited so support is required or training

Vorteile

Enterprise team version allows us to have multiple users with limited amount of license; Easy to integrate with Excel for data input and output

Nachteile

Marginally on the higher side of memory intensive application; does not have/limited option/APIs to use the simulation engine outside of the SIMIO application.

Vorteile

It is at least 10 years ahead of flexsim, arena, Anylogic, or any other products. It's agent based modelling at it finest and the planning board is unrivalled.

Nachteile

Nothing. It is extremely comprehensive with ground breaking advances which are optimally positioned for industry 4.0

Vorteile

Ability to embed metrics in the simulation.

Nachteile

Management of interaction between entities during movement in free space to simulate for instance pedestrian movements on a sidewalk. They sometimes seem to get stuck against each other instead of walking around each others.

Vorteile

Ease of ease. Smooth interface. I also like that I can "get under the hood" and customize it to my hearts desire. Again, I can create models quickly and model any scenario that comes up in an emergency department. We are know expanding its use to include inpatient services and other service lines. Great product!

Nachteile

Nothing really. It has become part and parcel with me over time. I would be nice if it had more pre-built healthcare models (anything to make my job easier)

Vorteile

Users have been very satisfied with the ease of use and setup process. After a downturn we needed to get users back on and the sales team made it very simple to onboard our users.

Nachteile

At the moment we are ramping back up from a downturn. Since this is a niche product, finding other applications for current licenses has been a challenge.

Vorteile

Simio does a fantastic job of bringing granularity to their product, making it much more detailed than other programs when it comes to controls and outputs.

Nachteile

Simio is very complex and takes full on training to use well, it is definitely not one to pick up and teach yourself.

Vorteile

Ease of use and the software includes almost anything we need

Nachteile

You don't have a version for Mac OS

Vorteile

Ease of use

Vorteile

This software has features to simulate different discrete event scenarios and is really good for use in supply chain and industrial engineering applications

Nachteile

This software is not good for agent based simulations such as multi agent simulations

Vorteile

Good documentation, lots of videos for learners, extensive module library, doesn't take much time to learn, interface very similar to Microsoft Office and therefore much easier to work with

Nachteile

I didn't find anything wrong with it. It's working absolutely the way I want it to run. I find it to be an excellent software

Vorteile

Functionality and modeling flexibility.

Nachteile

Not easy to teach to my students, not easy to learn advanced features.