Using ExtendSim8

Imagine That, Inc. has released ExtendSim 8. I am writing a discrete event simulation textbook using this simulation tool. The latest version of the tool does not include the old discrete event library or the manufacturing library like version 6. However, it does support these older libraries. The Item library replaced the old Discrete Event library. If you understand the modeling blocks, like the Workstation or Queue, you can still build the same kinds of discrete event models that you could with version 6. In some cases ExtendSim 8 is easier and more flexible, if you have a deep understanding of discrete event simulation. I still find that Arena Simulation is more powerful and logical for discrete event simulation, but for the price ExtendSim 8 is a very good tool. Plus you can build models that are not discrete event, or have sub-processes that are not discrete.

Thus far, I have built a basic M/M/1 queue model for experimentation with experimental design, multirun analysis, batch means, warm-up period issues, and auto-correlation issues. ExtendSim 8 has the proper set of tools for dealing with these issues. This is a good way to validate your simulation model and your understanding of discrete event simulation, since we already know the analytical solution of an M/M/1 queue.

I have also built a hierarchical model of a bank lobby with multiple transactions, balking, animation, etc. that ExtendSim 8 handles quite well. A manufacturing model of circuit cards with multiple queues and processes was straight forward. The most challenging problem was a transportation system involving truck delivering packages to a warehouse, workers unloading packages, moving packages to a holding area, loading packages on delivery vans, and delivering packages. The most difficult part was working with the constraints of the Limited version of ExtendSim 8 (no more than 75 building blocks in a model), but this really forced me to think about the problem and make simplifying assumptions.

By the way, you can try the Limited version for $100.00 (download only) at http://www.extendsim.com/ (available for PC and MAC). ExtendSim is a registered trademark.

Look for my book "Discrete Event Simulation using ExtendSim 8" in September 2010.