What is Simio?

Simio is a unique multi-paradigm modeling tool that combines the simplicity of objects with the flexibility of processes to provide a rapid modeling capability without requiring programming.

Simio can be used to predict and improve the performance of dynamic, complex systems in healthcare, military, airports, manufacturing, supply chain, ports, mining, lean-six-sigma and other disciplines.

Build Accurate 3D Models Quickly Without Compromise

Simio's straightforward drag-and-drop interface allows users to create models quickly and easily -- giving new users a glimpse into the future of their designs. Simio breaks down the brick walls of traditional object-oriented simulation software and lets the user rapidly build accurate 3D models and objectively analyze alternatives to reduce risk and improve performance. In short, Simio is simulation software with superior flexibility and the ability to quickly model your system without compromise.  Simio is rapid modeling without programming so profits accrue sooner.  Simio is simulation software at the speed of business.


The Simio Object Paradigm

Simio is a SImulation Modeling framework based on Intelligent Objects. This may be a bit different than other simulation packages that you may be familiar with, even those that market themselves as object oriented. Simio is designed from the ground up to support the object modeling paradigm; however it also supports the seamless use of multiple modeling paradigms including a process orientation and event orientation. It also fully supports both discrete and continuous systems, along with large scale applications based on agent-based modeling (ABM). These modeling paradigms can be freely mixed within a single model.

The intelligent objects are built by modelers and then may be reused in multiple modeling projects. Objects can be stored in libraries and easily shared. A beginning modeler may prefer to use pre-built objects from libraries; however the system is designed to make it easy for even beginning modelers to build their own intelligent objects for use in building hierarchical models. An object might be a machine, robot, airplane, customer, doctor, tank, bus, ship, or any other thing that you might encounter in your system. A model is built by combining objects that represent the physical components of the system. A Simio model looks like the real system. The model logic and animation is built as a single step. An object may be animated to reflect the changing state of the object.

For example, a forklift truck raises and lowers its lift, a robot opens and closes its gripper, and a battle tank turns its turret. The animated model provides a moving picture of the system in operation. Objects are built using the concepts of object orientation. However unlike other object oriented simulation systems, the process of building an object is very simple and completely graphical. There is no need to write programming code to create new objects. The activity of building an object in Simio is identical to the activity of building a model – in fact there is no difference between an object and a model. This concept is central to the design of Simio. Whenever you build a model it is by definition an object that can be instantiated into another model. For example, if you combine two machines and a robot into a model of a work cell, the work cell model is itself an object that can then be instantiated any number of times into other models. The work cell is an object just like the machines and robot are objects.


Simio Intelligent Objects: The Future of Simulation

Simio is designed to simplify model building by promoting a modeling paradigm shift from the process orientation to an object orientation. Simio is a simulation modeling framework based on intelligent objects. The intelligent objects are built by modelers and then may be reused in multiple modeling projects. Although the Simio framework is focused on object-based modeling, it also supports a seamless use of multiple modeling paradigms including event, process, object, and agent-based modeling.

The Simio framework is a graphical object-oriented modeling framework as opposed to simply a set of classes in an object-oriented programming language that are useful for simulation modeling. The graphical modeling framework of Simio fully supports the core principles of object-oriented modeling without requiring programming skills to add new objects to the system.

 

From Simio Founder and CEO C. Dennis Pegden's whitepaper, Intelligent Objects: The Future of Simulation

Learn more about the future of simulation with Simio 


Simio's Academic Program

Intelligent object-based simulation software is the future of simulation. But what can you do if you are still teaching yesterday’s technology?

Simio makes it easy to obtain, learn and teach what your students need to be successful. The resources of the Simio Academic Community support your objectives to stay ahead of the technology curve and meet the demands of next generation technology. With software, course development, texts and discussion forums, the Simio Academic Community adds to your knowledge base and allows you to offer critical skill development.

We think you will find our academic program to be quite attractive. We make top quality, state-of-the-art software available to professors, students, and researchers at no cost to the institution and minimal cost to students. To that end, we have a suite of products available to meet your needs.

Click here to learn more about our Academic Program 


Self-Paced, On-Line Training

We provide a collection of free training videos for learning Simio. The videos include an introductory sequence of six short lessons, as well as additional videos demonstrating how to approach specific modeling problems. These training videos are useful for the new user first learning how to model with Simio, as well as experienced modelers looking for some ideas on how to approach specific modeling situations. If you plan to evaluate Simio using the free evaluation version we recommend that you use the introductory lessons to guide you through your first modeling exercises. In one hour you will be able to start building and running models in Simio.

Learn more about self-paced training before you Try Simio 


The Simio Advantage

Lower total cost of ownership delivers faster results with less investment in time and money.

  • Faster modeling means lower project costs and faster realization of project benefits.
  • Initial software cost is lower than comparable products. Simio Design Edition is a full featured version including 3D. Simio Team Edition includes everything in Design Edition plus network server and unlimited free runtime distribution. Don’t be misled into thinking that more expensive products are somehow better. Simio is the best simulation software available at any price.
  • Easier to learn means lower training costs and shorter time to productivity. Simio Basic Training requires only about a day and is often accomplished using free training materials and videos available on our web site. Simio Basic + Advanced Training (including object development and advanced material handling) requires only three days.

Simio in Action

A montage of models created in hours using Simio Simulation Software.

Integrated 3D technology provides an immersive visual experience.

  • Simio is designed from the ground up using advanced 3D technology that is included at no extra charge. Beware of products that have older 2D technology - with 3D post-processors added as an afterthought and sold as an expensive add-on.
  • Concurrent 3D allows you to see immediate results of model changes and instantly switch between 2D and 3D views.
  • Simio is the first product to integrate Google 3D Warehouse for free access to over a million 3D symbols.

True object-oriented design makes Simio easy to extend.

  • Objects are easy to create even by novices. Patent-pending innovations allow objects to be defined graphically in processes without programming. We build new objects as part of our standard demo – ask the other guys to do the same.
  • Simio was designed as a full object oriented product. Objects can be extended, added, and easily shared between projects and users.
  • Simio add-on processes allow object behavior to be easily customized without actually changing the object. This eliminates the brick walls often encountered when a module or object is not designed to match the way your system works.
  • All Simio library objects can be expanded to their components. They may optionally be revised and used as the basis for new user objects. Many products consider their module definitions proprietary and do not share them with customers.
  • Intelligent objects can be aware of and interact with each other and easily make smart decisions. For example a resource may choose to remain idle because it is aware that a higher priority entity may soon need it.

Modern user interface to simplify learning and using.

  • Many older products have tired interfaces that were designed in the 90’s. Simio has a modern Microsoft-style ribbon interface for an improved user experience.
  • Simio provides extended tool tips that make learning and discovery easier with less reliance on referring to help or documentation.
  • Simio’s 14 objects in the standard library offer comprehensive modeling capability.

Advanced architecture for the future.

  • Simio was designed and implemented by the same people who designed and implemented Arena, but able to take full advantage of an extra 20 years of experience, user feedback, and advances in technology.
  • Many older products are based on 1980’s technology and are at the end of their life cycle. They are difficult to enhance as reflected in the timeliness and feature sets of their new releases. Simio is implemented using the latest .NET technology which allows Simio programmers to be extremely productive, often producing more new features each month than in the typical 12-18 month release cycle for older products.
  • New .NET extensions and add-ons are routinely available providing limitless enhancement possibilities.
  • The modeling objects in Simio are defined using graphical process flows that can be viewed and changed by the user. For example, if you want to change the behavior of a vehicle or conveyor, you can simply change the object’s processes. Older products do not offer this capability.
  • Simio’s architecture even allows advanced users to extend the Simio product itself by adding user defined Steps, Elements, Rules and other components using any of over 50 .NET languages.

Agent Based Modeling (ABM) without the complexity of programming

  • Agent-based modeling is at the core of the Simio architecture. The simulated state of the system can evolve over time by the interaction of the objects in the model.
  • In most ABM tools, creating new objects or modifying an existing object is complex and requires advanced object-oriented programming skills in a language like Java or C++. Simio has a unique advantage based on its patented architecture that allows users to create or modify objects without programming using a process modeling approach.
  • Although the agent based approach is a great approach for modeling, sometimes having access to both the process and object paradigms in the same model is useful. Simio allows you to combine the agent based and traditional process modeling approach in the same model.

Academic support to meet the needs of education.

  • Universities: 100% grant provided to reduce Initial fee to $0. No renewal/maintenance fee. Free teaching materials.
  • Students: In contrast to other products, Simio makes available to students a full featured, unlimited model size version.

Learn more

Continue Reading: Simple for Beginners, Powerful for Experts and 3D for Impact.

White papers: Intelligent Objects - The Future of Simulation.

Newsletter Signup: Simio's Forward Thinking Update.

Register to download free simulation software