Enterprise Dynamics is a discrete-event simulation software platform designed to model, analyze, and optimize complex systems and processes. It is developed and maintained by InControl Enterprise Dynamics, a software company headquartered in the Netherlands. The platform is used in applications ranging from manufacturing and logistics to supply chain, transportation, and infrastructure planning.
Overview Enterprise Dynamics provides users with tools to create virtual representations of real-world systems, run simulations to explore different scenarios, and extract insights without impacting real operations. It supports both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) visualization environments, allowing for detailed modeling and presentation of system behavior. The software uses an object-oriented, event-driven modeling approach in which predefined components — commonly referred to as “atoms” — are dragged and dropped into a model workspace and configured to represent real system entities and interactions.
History Enterprise Dynamics traces its origins to the Taylor II simulation software developed by F&H Simulations.William B. Nordgren. "Taylor II manufacturing simulation software". In Proceedings of the 27th Conference on Winter Simulation, IEEE Computer Society, Washington, DC, 401–404, 1995. In 1998, the initial simulation platform was introduced as Taylor Enterprise Dynamics. In 2000, F&H Simulations was acquired by InControl Business Engineers, and the software platform was rebranded as Enterprise Dynamics. Over time it has evolved into a comprehensive simulation environment with support for extensive modeling, visualization, and analysis features.
Since its inception, Enterprise Dynamics has undergone multiple major version releases, with enhancements in visualization, model scalability, data handling, user interface, and performance. The software continues development with periodic updates to expand functionality, improve performance, and support modern simulation requirements.
Features Enterprise Dynamics combines graphical model building with advanced simulation capabilities:
Drag-and-Drop Modeling: Users construct simulation models by placing and connecting predefined simulation objects, enabling intuitive model creation. 2D and 3D Visualization: The software supports both 2D layouts and immersive 3D environments for analyzing and communicating system behavior. Extensive Object Libraries: Ready-to-use simulation objects (atoms) cover a range of industry domains, with support for customization and extension. Data Integration: Enterprise Dynamics can integrate with external data sources and systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) or warehouse management systems (WMS), to enable data-driven modeling. Scenario Analysis: Users can construct and compare multiple scenarios to test alternative strategies or system configurations. Parameterization and Result Export: The platform enables detailed configuration of simulation parameters and supports exporting results for further analysis.
Fields of application Enterprise Dynamics has been applied or is currently being applied in the following fields:D.W. Hillen, 1995, 'Simulatie in Produktie en Logistiek', . Retrieved 2011-06-16.Van Asperen, Dekker, Polman, De Swaan Arons, "Modeling Ship Arrivals In Ports", page 1737 - 1744, Proceedings of the 2003 Winter Simulation Conference (vol.2), 2003. Retrieved 2011-06-14.C.A. Boer, "Distributed Simulation in Industry", 2005, . Retrieved 2011-06-16. Material handling Supply chain management Logistics and distribution Manufacturing and production Metropolitan development, including rail, harbors, and airports Healthcare Automotive Electronics Contact centers Sports and events Public service Education
Architecture Enterprise Dynamics is an object-oriented simulation platform combined with an event-oriented approach. The user can select standard simulation objects (the so-called 'Atoms'), in which the behavior of their real life equivalents is captured, from a library and create a model by clicking and dragging the objects into the model space. For each simulation object, parameters can be altered to change its behavior.Y.H. Lian, H. Van Landeghem, "Analyzing the Effects of Lean Manufacturing using a Value Stream Mapping based simulation generator", 09-Mar-2006, International Journal of Production Research. Retrieved 2011-06-16. Editions & Licensing The Enterprise Dynamics platform is available under several licensing options, including basic viewing, runtime simulation, and developer editions with full modeling capabilities. A home or educational edition is also offered for academic and personal use. Version history Version Release date Major changes 1.0 1997 2.0 1998 2.3 November 1999 3.0 June 2000 3.2 3.3 3.4 June 2001 4.0 December 2001 5.0 6.0 October 2003 Improved GUI Builder Improved 4DScript functionality Renewed Help system Improved 2D and 3D visualization 6.1 January 2004 Small updates for Atoms, Visualization and Help system 6.2 March 2004 High-speed timer functionality Optimization of 4DScript functions Improvement of the Help system 6.3 July 2004 Improvements of several Atoms Improvements of function 'RegisterFunction' Improvement of the speed with which ED is capable of dealing with 'Labels' 7.0 April 2006 Further improvements of visualization and engine Improvements of 4DScript functionality (ADO and XML) Addition of a Scenario Manager 7.1 September 2006 Improved search functionality Addition of sensor functionality to the Advanced Conveyor Atoms 7.2 December 2007 Addition of a set of Result atoms Major visualization issues (related to black objects in 2D view and missing buttons due to high screen resolutions) were solved New GUIs (according to a standardized design) Revision and extension of the Example Models 8.0 April 2009* Addition of the Advanced Automated Storage/Retrieval System (ASRS) 3D Modeling functionality 8.1 May 2010 3D visualization of the Result Atoms Support for anaglyphs in 3D view Addition of new 'Advanced Linear Robot' and new 'Advanced Scara Robot' 8.2 May 2011 Extension of 3D Modeling functionality Drawing polygons in 2D Extension of the GUI Builder 8.2.5 March 2012 Minor update containing 50 bug fixes 9.0 April 2014 Updated user interface Packages Graphs Visualization CAD Support CityGML SAP ArcGIS Human Resources Other atoms New Help System10.0May 2016 64 Bits version Improved performance Improved developer support Introduction of dbExpress10.1April 2017 Improvements in OPC Support
Improvements in SAP Support10.2July 2018Extension of 3D Modeling functionality New VR visualization features New Software Development Kit (SDK)10.2.1February 2019 Improved search functionality Mersenne twister10.3February 2020 Minor update containing bug fixes10.4 Increased reading and writing speed of the Excel ActiveX Increased performance of table and data handling Cut-off time of assembler now possible for containers Initialize atom now has an “on load model” functionality User Event atom now can be labelled or provided with a name10.4.1June 2021 Improved search options Label overview expanded Improved user-experience10.5September 2022 Updated visualization components for Windows 11 Upgraded and improved 3D support files Sleep modus Updated Exit Screen Settings for Screen configuration10.5.1September 2023 Function Editor Atom Product table availability Enhanced user event code handling Node Atom Improvements10.6September 2023 Function Editor Atom Product table availability Enhanced user event code handling Node Atom Improvements10.6.1December 2024 Starting Debugger on Code Customizable Channel Size Autosaving and Auto-loading the Interact 10.7December 2025 Student-T Distribution added Updated AutoCAD importer + ACAD 2025 file support Engine upgrades for more efficient memory management10.7.1August 2026 License Manager Improvements Improved tools for model developers Stability improvements
Add-ons Add-ons are available to extend the functionality of ED: CAD Import Wizard DLL Kit Emulation - OPC Security Kit OptQuest
Packages
Advanced Robots This package contains a set of 3 commonly used robots, namely a Linear, SCARA and a vertical articulated robot which can be used for more detailed simulations.
ASRS This package adds an Automated Storage and Retrieval System- or ASRS-atom to the installation of Enterprise Dynamics.
Transfer Car This package contains a Transfer Car atom (Transport) and 2 example models (a pull and a push model). A Transfer Car system is a rail bound single or double track vehicle for fast and reasonable linear transport and/or to combine multiple input and output locations of material flow.
Developer Tools With the developer Tools the option is given to more advanced users to also create their own packages, which simplifies the roll-out of libraries to end-users.
OPC-client The OPC browser allows access to OPC-servers (v1.0, v2.0 and v3.0) and is a tool that makes it possible to easily browse and configure OPC services. Browsing OPC services is useful for seeing what is going on, however its main purpose in Enterprise Dynamics is to help setting up complex configurations.
SDK The Software Development Kit is containing several advanced tools like a profiler (analyze the performance of a model), the DLL-kit (connect Enterprise Dynamics to a dll), ActiveX (connect Enterprise Dynamics to for instance Access, C#, Delphi, Excel of VB), connect a model using sockets or create an automated help documentation via Doxygen.
References