ExtendSim is a simulation program for modeling discrete event, continuous, agent-based, discrete rate, and mixed-mode processes. There are three main ExtendSim simulation model building packages: CP for modeling continuous processes; DE which adds discrete event technology; and Pro which adds discrete rate and reliability block diagramming modules.
History
+ Year Features added 1987 Original release for continuous modeling on the Macintosh1989Discrete event capabilities added 1992 Hierarchical modeling, Cloning, Animation, Interactivity1994Sensitivity Analysis, interface to Microsoft Excel 1995 Release for Microsoft Windows1998Scripting, Activity-Based Costing2001Optimizer, ActiveX/COM and ODBC support, source code debugger2002FTP support2007Changed product name from Extend to ExtendSim, internal database 2008 Discrete rate and 3D capabilities added2010Scenario Manager, Advanced Resource Manager2013ADO database support, Flow attributes2018Integrated reliability diagramming, ExtendSim Cloud released2024Multicore Analysis to run models in parallel and launch multiple instances of ExtendSim
Model construction Models are created by placing blocks from a library into a model worksheet. Blocks are connected together to create the logical flow of the model. Data for the model resides in the parameters of the blocks and in a proprietary database. New blocks can be created by combining existing blocks into a single hierarchical block or by programming a block in ExtendSim's C-based language, ModL. The major libraries in ExtendSim are: + Library name Purpose Sample blocks Value Mathematical calculations, remote data access, statistics collection Math, Equation, Decision, Random Number, Read, Write, Mean & Variance Item Models discrete event processes Queue, Activity, Equation, Create, Batch & Unbatch, Resource Management, Select Item In & Out Rate Models discrete rate processes for high-speed, high-volume simulation Tank, Valve, Interchange, Convey Flow, Merge & Diverge, Throw & Catch FlowReliabilityReliability block diagrammingStart Node, Component, End Node, Event Builder, Distribution Builder Chart Displays plots and charts Bar, Scatter, Histogram, Line, and Database Line, Database StatisticsReportReporting model resultsReports Manager, Cost Stats, Item Log ManagerAnalysisOrganizing and optimizing model data and results, plus launching multiple instances of ExtendSimAnalysis Manager, Multicore Analysis, Optimizer, Scenario Manager Utilities Model interface, debugging, and information Buttons, Record Message, Memory Usage
Application areas
Sample applications include resource optimization for food logistics, six sigma process improvement for a hospital emergency department, communication systems, and manufacturing facility design
See also Simulation software Modeling and simulation Computer simulation Discrete event simulation Discrete rate simulation Continuous simulation Reliability block diagram Process optimization Simulation in manufacturing systems Medical simulation Project management simulation Traffic simulation Military simulation Network simulation List of discrete event simulation software
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