SIMUL8 Recensioner

We see Simul8 is a collaborator in teaching and research

Kommentarer: My experience with Simul8 has been excellent. I was introduced to the software by my PhD supervisor. My PhD was in distributed computing and a research project focussed on distributed simulation. Simul8 provided me with multiple licenses for the Researcher edition of their software and technical support. This helped me better understand the technical aspects of the software, which was necessary for the intended purpose of distributed execution of models. My students have also continued to receive such exceptional support. Several of our received papers have used Simul8!

Fördelar:

Simul8 is a versatile discrete-event simulation (DES) software. It has a programming language called Visual Logic (VL). For learning and teaching and the implementation of a wide range of DES projects, the Simul8 visual interface, which supports drag and drop, is sufficient to develop fairly complex models. With VL you can do a lot more! As an educator, I continue using the software to introduce simulation to new cohorts of MSc students in Operations Management and Business Analytics. The students love it! On the research side, the MRes and PhD students I supervised have used Simul8 to develop proof-of-concept models for their Modelling and Simulation research and also full-fledged models to support decision-making. The customer support that we have received over the years is exemplary! This goes to the extent that the Simul8 representatives you meet at conferences are happy to go through the model and provide advice.

Nackdelar:

From the education and teaching perspective, Simul8 is a perfect solution and students will love it! On the research side, if you were to develop integration with other models and modelling paradigms, it would require assistance from Simul8 technical support. With open-source software, integrating libraries and code offers many opportunities, especially for those who know coding. However, with Simul8, some additional integration work to achieve similar objectives may be needed. The software continues to evolve and this may be possible in the near future.

Thank you for your cooperation

Kommentarer: Overall experience is simply great, whole support of MA and PhD students for their thesis.

Fördelar:

Quite easy to learn and understand the Simul8 environment. At the same time possibility to make advance complex models.

Nackdelar:

Everything was fine, no cons were identified.

Simul8 Review

Fördelar:

It has some good features such as importing/exporting data via Excel easily. It provides ready to use simulation results. Visual logic is perfectly helpful for interact the simulation as user wants.

Nackdelar:

The software always hangs while we're using/creating simulations. In addition, due to huge amount of data is imported to the software, it slogs on to process the data. The graphs display poor visualisations.

Simul8 User Review

Kommentarer: It has been positive, and as I've used it more, you learn just how capable the software is.

Fördelar:

The software is very dynamic in terms of the types of problems you can solve with it. You can do a lot with the basic functionalities but the visual logic can open up even further potential.

Nackdelar:

It can be quite difficult to learn by one's self. The online help supplied by Simul8 is good but maybe more in-depth examples would be useful.

Powerful tool

Kommentarer: A powerful tool for process simulation. While the user interface may appear outdated compared to state-of-the-art options, this doesn’t reflect its robust capabilities. Initial training is essential, and at least 120 hours of practice are necessary to become reasonably proficient in performing reliable simulations of medium complexity

Fördelar:

The functionality and capacity to replicate "real life scenarios" .

Nackdelar:

The number of hours required to become proficient with the tool is reasonable. Given the variety of options and scenarios available, the trade-off between output and effort is more than acceptable

Simul8 - Initial outlook

Kommentarer: Very positive. The system is easy to use and the models I have created already (although on the simpler side) have allowed me to identify how to tackle complex problems.

Fördelar:

Simul8 is quite an intuitive software where models of processes can be readily made and adequately detailed without prolonged training. The user interface means that the system can quickly be understood and interpreted to complete tasks of increased difficulties.

Nackdelar:

I was using the 2004 version which had little support in creating neat simulation models in the workspace, this often meant I had to spend time to create a clear simulation by dragging boxes and lines. I also found the labelling system not as effective as the codified attribute system in Witness, making it harder to change objects moving through the simulation.

Simul8 Review

Kommentarer: - active weekly usage for the last 6 years
- the team has done a great job improving the tool recently
- keep adding more and better capabilities
- drop-in sessions are great. keep them going!
- increase the price of the product but don't raise by a lot since it is hard to convince management to keep allocating budget

Fördelar:

- ease of use - used to be cheaper than most alternatives (which makes it easier to convince the management to allocate budget for it) - ability to use both coding (Visual Logic) and drag-drop

Nackdelar:

- charts and visualizations - sometimes unexplained bugs happen. rebuilding the model helps - recently raised prices. it is totally ok to raise the prices especially since the product got better recently. but be careful to not raise prices to the level of FlexSim and AnyLogic. In that price category, users might prefer FlexSim/AnyLogic over Simul8

Simulating materialographic processes

Kommentarer: Beyond expectations. It is easy to learn the basics and create simple simulations, yet the software has so much depth, there's virtually nothing that can not be built and simulated.
The coaching sessions and all the support offered by Simul8 also helps to fully utilize the possibilities of the software.

Fördelar:

Its versatility. We are working in a niche field with a lot of variables, yet we can still utilize Simul8 to its full extent to test real life scenarios.

Nackdelar:

The reporting could be further developed. Not that it is bad as it is, but as it is fully customizable, it takes time to build it. Building blocks or templates would help a lot.

nine out of ten

Kommentarer: The course was super helpful to better understand the basic building blocks and all of their options.

Fördelar:

simple to build quick simulations but has capability for more complex simulations

Nackdelar:

Some options are quite hidden and are hard to find.

Easy to use software

Kommentarer: Building models simulating the manufacturing plant environment inculing assembly lines and production models

Fördelar:

The user friendly interface and to build the models quickly and intuitively

Nackdelar:

There is actually not a thing that I can say I do not like but maybe there could be flexibilities that two resources can be simultaneously assigned to a product in parallel two sided assembly lines

Great Product

Kommentarer: Enjoyable to use and making the simulation.

Fördelar:

Support from team on getting started and support.

Nackdelar:

Training in the start up package should be longer.

Great tool for quick but robust simulation modelling

Fördelar:

It is fast and easy to create simple models that work just as you expect. For more complex models there are also plenty of options, specially if you get familiar with the Visual Logic language.

Nackdelar:

The graphical aspect could be improved, specially some option panels that get frozen. Also, it takes a while to open a model. I was using version 2022, maybe this was amended in later versions.

SIMUL7 Review

Kommentarer: My overall experience with this software is excellent. it helps me to improve my skills and knowledge of the work.

Fördelar:

The learning curve is low. All of the modeling choices are standard and simple to explain to executives. Once you've got your simulation running well, you can go really fancy with it thanks to the scripting language.

Nackdelar:

The lagging of time and simulation is the least point about the software.

Powerful and user friendly!!!

Fördelar:

The interface of the software is very intuitive and fast to use. All the needed tools for simulation are at a click available. The possibility to interact with VBA and Python makes it a good candidate to develop a digital twin. Simplicity of use also in complex environments and great customer support Team.

Nackdelar:

Some more advanced features needs to be developed more in depth.

HND Manufacturing Engineering class

Kommentarer: Extremely satisfying, I believe more organisations should be using Simul8. Students taught loved it, enjoyed the classes and spoke of trying to introduce current and future employers to Simul8

Fördelar:

Extremely user friendly. Students spent time using it and barely needed to refer to my guidance and notes. They picked it up in their own way very quickly and competently.

Nackdelar:

Students did not use the graphics options much which could've enhanced the aesthetics of their models. This does not necessarily mean they graphics options need improved but perhaps they were not attracted to use them as they didn't look appealing (they're used to photo type gaming graphics)

Simul8, a very flexible and powerful simulation tool!

Kommentarer: I've been using Simul8 for almost 2 decades on and off. I love what I can do with it, especially in creating very nuanced test data for projects.

Fördelar:

It is easy to get started with it. The modeling options are generic and easy for business users to understand. Once you have a stable simulation, the coding language allows you to create very sophisticated simulations.

Nackdelar:

I would like to be able to use some of the simulation graphics for documentation. I'm sure this is more my issue than the product.

An experience from a novice Simulation tool user..

Fördelar:

The simplicity to represent a process or discrete event/s in terms of activities and working around them makes SIMUL8 a powerful tool. We have tried to implement a 'Process Digital Twin' of course in 1-D simulation, but to get some insightful results with the process.

Nackdelar:

It requires some baseline understanding about the statistics, a bit of programming (if you plan on using Visual Logic) and importantly, defining your problem scenario and expected deliverable/s out of the SIMUL8 models; but again, the SIMUL8 TEAM is awesome with this regards.

Best Simulation product in the market!

Kommentarer: I have had many years using Simul8 in Industry, consulting, and it University Classroom. This tool fits in too many ways to point them out in a brief review

Fördelar:

Ease of use and provides so much professionalism in presentation

Nackdelar:

The robust features of Simul8 cover 100% of my needs.

Factory Simulation

Kommentarer: We provide operational optimisation consulting and contracting to mainly engineering and operational department, developing and design new manufacturing facilities. Simul8 allows us to validating, optimising and communicating design plans.

Fördelar:

The software has a fairly linear learning curve so you can make simple models early and can progressively develop your skills to make more and more complex models. They also have great customer service with real technical expertise so you are never stuck on a problem for long.

Nackdelar:

The skin and icon packs could do with a makeover and the animation functions overhauled.

SIMUL8 for Manufacturing Applications

Kommentarer: Having over 24 years in the simulation field, I have used several different simulation packages. SIMUL8 has surfaced at the top of the list for several reasons: Low cost per seat, Ease of learning the tool, Power & Functionality of basic simulation objects, Ease of data import/export, Ease of analyzing results. SIMUL8 has proven to meet typical manufacturing design objectives such as:
1) Bottleneck Analysis and applying "Theory of Constraints" to designing and improving manufacturing operations.
2) Determining the optimal number of carriers within a material handling system (i.e. Power & Free, Electric Monorail, etc)
3) Determining optimal operator & resource utilization; including operating patterns & shift patterns.
4) Optimizing mixed model assembly lines; including scheduling and sequencing objectives. I have learned staying with proven basic simulation objects works best when building models. SIMUL8's "Visual Logic" contains enough commands and logical constructs to capture coding conditional events throughout complex areas within the process. Basically, learning how to apply basic "IF-Then" statements in conjunction with commands is all it takes to tap into its power. Cons: Limited graphics & annotation, Save often as model can lock-up, Operator Travel Links can become corrupt. Good point is with time... you can usually find work-around's to avoid some of the listed shortfalls.

Fördelar:

I stay with the basic simulation building blocks and design and implement complex manufacturing designs.

Nackdelar:

Annotation and screen graphics are lacking. Operator travel links can become corrupt.

Simul8: a handy multipurpose simulation platform

Kommentarer: From an educational view (as this was my experience with Simul8 up to now), and after discussing with our students who used the software for some case studies, our impression and experience was really great. Surely, the supporting material and the high level lecture given from Simul8's representative, played an important role for all of us to know better the world of simulation and learn the wide possibilities and usage in real problems.

Fördelar:

Simul8 is a highly useful product that can adapt to a variety of users and applications. Namely, from undergraduate students that have their first contact with simulation concept and techniques, up to engineers, consultants and staff from any industry that want to design and study real applications. It is a very easy to learn and use simulation environment with many features and customization options while it provides special features and programming environment for expert users.

Nackdelar:

It could be an improvement in the graphical representation of models meaning an integrated library of ready-to-use objects.

Feedback of Simulation Modelling Experience using SImul8

Fördelar:

I started using Simul8 as part of the dissertation project for my course to develop a demand and capacity model for a hospital in the UK. The software was user-friendly as we could quickly build a simulation model from the conceptual model. We could easily review the model, identify the patient flow, and understand the bottlenecks and constraints in the process. The validation process was faster by using the Visual representation in Simul8 as we could show the simulation run and see how the queue was increasing with the inflow of patients.

Nackdelar:

Using the Visual Logic part seems to be daunting at first as there was limited information online regarding the same. But the customer support team was kind enough to help us through the visual logic part

Fast and Flexible

Fördelar:

It's very easy to get started and build your first simulation model. The range of features and customization options make it a great way to model both simple and complex processes. The interface and different graphical elements lets me show stakeholders the most important information from the model in a concise and attractive way. I also have the option to use the software as a desktop application or in the browser which is extremely flexible. The Support team are also absolutely fantastic and really help answer any questions that I may have - they are such a great asset!

Nackdelar:

There's nothing that springs to mind that could be improved, the software is regularly updated and new features are always being added which is great!

Best discrete event simulation software

Kommentarer: Excellent

Fördelar:

Simul8 is an easy to use simulation software and very user firendly. Most features are intuitively used but if you need more detailing in model building then Visual Logic is there to help.

Nackdelar:

I wish to see more on 3D modelling and animating things in the model.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Modeling

Kommentarer: Simul8 has been a great software for providing insight in specific metrics prior to creation of our fab. We will continue to develop the model with our fab and it is exciting to see the results align with reality as we progress forward. This software has allowed us to make data driven decisions at a management level for how to operate the fab effectively.

Fördelar:

This software was not designed specifically for our use case, but the expert we worked with at Simul8 was able to develop a model that would meet the needs we have for modeling our fab.

Nackdelar:

Granularity of chamber modeling and a more robust ability to model chambers. This is not the specific design of the software, however.