What is Simulation?

Imitation An attempt to duplicate the features, appearance, and characteristics of a real system
1. To imitate a real-world situation realmathematically 2. To study its properties and operating characteristics 3. To draw conclusions and make action decisions based on the results of the simulation

SimulationSimulation-New Definition
A simulation is a computer-based computermodel used to run experiments on a real system

Typically done on a computer Determines reactions to different operating rules or change in structure A given system is copied and the variables and constants associated with it are manipulated in that artificial environment to examine the behaviour of the system

Simulation Example
Aerodynamic SimulationSimulation to study aerodynamic properties of aeroplane

Driving SimulationSimulation To have the feeling of vehicle driving

Computer Program SimulationSimulation for layout, financial and market analysis model

Computer Analysis

Simulation Applications
Ambulance location and dispatching AssemblyAssembly-line balancing Parking lot and harbor design Distribution system design Scheduling aircraft LaborLabor-hiring decisions Personnel scheduling TrafficTraffic-light timing Voting pattern prediction Bus scheduling Design of library operations Taxi, truck, and railroad dispatching Production facility scheduling Plant layout Capital investments Production scheduling Sales forecasting Inventory planning and control

Table F.1

Other Simulation Egs.

Simulation in education and training
war games animated narrative vignettes (ANV). ANVs are cartooncartoonlike video narratives of hypothetical and reality-based realitystories involving classroom teaching and learning. ANVs have been used to assess knowledge, problem solving skills and dispositions of children, and prepreservice and in-service teachers. in case study

Truck Simulator Healthcare (Clinical) Simulators Interactive models

Other Simulation Egs.

Computer simulators The "classroom simulators" Financial Planning and Analysis City Simulators / Urban Simulation Flight simulators Marine simulators Engineering (Technology) simulation or Process simulation

Define problem

The Process of Simulation

Introduce variables

Construct model Specify values of variables Conduct simulation

Examine results

Figure F.1

Select best course

Advantages of Simulation
1. Relatively straightforward and flexible 2. Can be used to analyze large and complex real-world situations that realcannot be solved by conventional models 3. Real-world complications can be Realincluded that most OM models cannot permit 4. Time compression is possible
Years of experience in the real system can be compressed into seconds or minutes

Advantages of Simulation
5. Allows what-if types of questions what6. Does not interfere with real-world realsystems 7. Can study the interactive effects of individual components or variables in order to determine which ones are important

Advantages of Simulation
Often leads to a better understanding of the real system Simulation is far more general than mathematical models Simulation can be used as a game for training experience Simulation provides a more realistic replication of a system than mathematical analysis Many standard packaged models, covering a wide range of topics, are available commercially

Disadvantages of Simulation
1. Can be very expensive and may take months to develop 2. It is a trial-and-error approach that may trial-andproduce different solutions in repeated runs - Simulation may be less accurate than mathematical analysis because it is randomly based 3. Managers must generate all of the conditions and constraints for solutions they want to examine 4. Each simulation model is unique

Disadvantages of Simulation ..
There is no guarantee that the model will, in fact, provide good answers There is no way to prove reliability A significant amount of computer time may be needed to run complex models The technique of simulation still lacks a standardized approach

Inventory Simulation
Daily demand for Ace Drill
(1) Demand for Ace Drill 0 1 2 3 4 5 (2) Frequency 15 30 60 120 45 30 300 (3) Probability .05 .10 .20 .40 .15 .10 1.00
Table F.8

(4) Cumulative Probability .05 .15 .35 .75 .90 1.00

(5) Interval of Random Numbers 01 through 05 06 through 15 16 through 35 36 through 75 76 through 90 91 through 00

Simulation Example 1
Day Random Simulated Number Number Daily Demand 1 52 5 3 Expected 37 2 3 = (probability of i units) x demand 82i =1 3 4 (demand of i units) 4 69 4 =98(.05)(0) + (.10)(1) + (.20)(2) + 5 5 (.30)(3) + 5(.20)(4) + (.15)(5) 6 96 7 =330 + .1 + .4 + .92+ .8 + .75 8 50 3 =882.95 tires 9 5 10 90 5 39 Total 3.9 Average

Using Software in Simulation

Computers are critical in simulating complex tasks GeneralGeneral-purpose languages - BASIC, C++ SpecialSpecial-purpose simulation languages GPSS, SIMSCRIPT
1. Require less programming time for large simulations 2. Usually more efficient and easier to check for errors 3. Random-number generators are built in Random-

Using Software in Simulation

Commercial simulation programs are available for many applications - Extend, Modsim, Witness, MAP/1, Enterprise Dynamics, Simfactory, ProModel, Micro Saint, ARENA Spreadsheets such as Excel can be used to develop some simulations

Using Software in Simulation