Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our academic offerings.
- Why should I teach an OO product?
- How does Simio’s state-of-the-art compare to its competitors?
- How much do universities have to pay for software?
- How does software renewal work?
- Is technical support available?
- How much does technical support cost?
- Can students get free support as well?
- Are grants available to help me teach simulation?
- What do I have to do to get a grant from Simio to teach simulation?
- I am a professor; how do I make software available to students?
- I am a student taking a simulation class; how can I get software?
- I am a student not taking a simulation class; how can I get software?
- Is there help for me to get started?
- How much do students have to pay for software?
- What limitations are in the student version?
- How do you define non-commercial use?
- If an undergraduate does a study for a company and provides them a report is that commercial?
- If a graduate does a thesis involving a company is that commercial?
- If a professor does funded research involving a company is that commercial?
- I don’t plan to teach Simio, but I would like to use it in non-commercial academic research; how much will it cost?
- How many copies should I order?
- Can I get software updates?
- Do you have teaching materials?
- Do you have a textbook available?
- My company often teaches classes; do we qualify for academic software?
- I work for a non-profit institution; do we qualify for academic software?
- Who is eligible to use academic or student software?
- How do you define a commercial project?
- Can secondary education (high schools) use simulation too?
- Still more questions?
Why should I teach an OO product?
You have probably heard of the “new” object-oriented simulation and wondered if that is something you should be using and teaching. Is this worth the change? Does this make simulation more valuable to my students in their careers? The answer to all these questions is Yes.
While the basic concept of object-oriented simulation is not new, the products offering it have become steadily better over the years. But most object-oriented simulation products still require high expertise; in order to take full advantage of objects you have to be an experienced programmer in C++ or Java. Until now. Simio has patent-pending technology that allows full object definition and enhancements to be done graphically in process logic, dramatically lowering the expertise required to exploit the full capabilities of objects.
The process orientation of Simio makes it easy to teach foundational principles of simulation, while the use of the Standard Library of objects makes it easy to teach the benefits of simulation to students less interested in the technology than its effective use. The ability to create objects and libraries meets the more intense simulation needs of typical graduates and research applications.
How does Simio’s state-of-the-art compare to its competitors?
Simio is best of breed. Simio was designed and implemented by the same people who designed and implemented Arena (a market-leading product), but by taking full advantage of an extra 20 years of experience, user feedback, and advances in technology, we have made dramatic innovations. Simio is designed from the ground up using advanced 3D technology that is included at no extra charge. Simio is implemented using the latest .NET technology assuring a solid foundation for years to come.
How much do universities have to pay for software?
There is no upfront or annual fee. The automatic grant program assures that institutions that teach and promote Simio can get a guaranteed 100% grant for the full cost of the software. For example the software to equip a fifty user lab will automatically result in a grant of approximately $100,000 US. Some institutions like to publish a joint press release acknowledging the grant so that they can be recognized for progressive action and forming industry partnerships.
How does software renewal work?
The software is provided with a two-year activation with free renewals so that you can be assured of always teaching the current version of Simio. It is anticipated that license renewals and software updates would be done at least annually.
Is technical support available?
Support via an on-line knowledgebase is available 24x7. You can also register support incidents and questions either via our on-line support system, email, or our toll-free number.
How much does technical support cost?
Standard technical support is available to professors at no charge. Limited support is also extended to graduate students at no charge. Undergraduate students may access the on-line knowledgebase, forums, and blogs, but are not eligible for live or email support.
Can students get free support as well?
Graduate students are eligible for limited support at no charge. Undergraduate students may access the on-line knowledgebase, forums, and blog, but are not eligible for live or email support.
Are grants available to help me teach simulation?
Yes. An automatic grant for the full cost of the software is awarded to any institution who agrees to teach Simio and publicly acknowledge the grant.
What do I have to do to get a grant from Simio to teach simulation?
Apply on-line here. You must agree to acknowledge the grant on a public portion of your class or department web site including a link to Simio. Some institutions like to publish a joint press release acknowledging the grant so that they can be recognized for progressive action and forming industry partnerships.
I am a professor; how do I make software available to students?
If you have not already done so, see instructions above to apply for a grant to equip your labs for students. In addition, if your students want personal copies, send a request to academic@simio.com with the class# and estimated students and we will send you the information required to allow students to obtain and activate Simio Student Version.
I am a student taking a simulation class; how can I get software?
If your professor has already requested Simio Academic Version, then you can use software at no charge in your university labs. If you also want a personal copy for home use, you can ask your professor – he will provide a link where you can buy Simio Student Version for $25 (this is equivalent to the commercial Simio Design Edition).
I am a student not taking a simulation class; how can I get software?
If your institution already has Simio Academic Version, then you can use software at no charge in your university labs. If you want a personal copy for home use, you must ask a professor to sponsor you. See above for instructions to professors.
Is there help for me to get started?
Yes. We have many ways to help you get started including training materials, instructor’s notes, printable reference material, instructional videos, sample models, formal classes, and more.
How much do students have to pay for software?
Students may use the Academic Version installed in institution labs and classrooms at no charge. Students currently enrolled in a registered simulation course may optionally purchase full capability software for use on their personal (non-university) computers. The cost is $25 US for an up to 12 month license that is functionally equivalent to Simio Design Edition.
What limitations are in the student version?
Many student versions are crippled software that only permit very small models and limited functionality. Students often spend more time fighting model limitations than learning simulation. Simio Academic Version and Simio Student Version have full functionality and no limits on model size. The only limitation is legal/moral – you are not permitted to use it for commercial use because you would be competing with consultants who paid full price for their software.
How do you define non-commercial use?
We understand that student projects often involve commercial systems. If all results pertaining to a project are either not shared or are made publicly available (such as a published thesis or undergraduate student projects published on a publicly accessible web site) then it is typically considered to be a valid use of academic software.
If an undergraduate does a study for a company and provides them a report is that commercial?
If the report is posted in a publicly available location and no supplemental information is disclosed privately than it would generally be considered to be non-commercial. If any private information is provided to the company, then it would be considered commercial.
If a graduate does a thesis involving a company is that commercial?
If the thesis is posted in a publicly available location and no supplemental information is disclosed privately to the company, than it would generally be considered to be non-commercial.
If a professor does funded research involving a company is that commercial?
If the research results are posted in a publicly available location and no supplemental information is disclosed privately to the company, than it would generally be considered to be non-commercial. Otherwise a commercial copy of Simio must be used.
I don’t plan to teach Simio, but I would like to use it in non-commercial academic research; how much will it cost?
Non-commercial research is also currently covered by our 100% grant program. Apply on-line at http://hs.simio.biz/order-simio-academic-software. You must indicate that you will acknowledge the grant on a public portion of your class or department web site and in your research paper.
How many copies should I order?
Order enough to supply all the classrooms and labs where students might work on simulation projects as well as copies for any professors or graduate students involved in simulation.
Can I get software updates?
Yes, you and students are entitled to software updates at no charge as they become available. Because Simio follows an agile development process, you do not have to wait for the next annual (or slower) release - new features and patches are available as frequently as monthly. If you are in an environment using lab software installed by IT, you will probably want to stabilize on the software that is available a few weeks before the start of each semester. But if you are in a more flexible environment (like research) you and your students can take advantage of the latest Simio features as soon as they become available.
Do you have teaching materials?
Yes. We have presentation slides with instructor’s notes, printable reference material, instructional videos, sample models, and more. See the Simio Academic Resources for more details.
Do you have a textbook available?
A Simio-specific textbook is currently being written and we welcome other submissions. In the interim, we recommend using the materials above in combination with one of the general simulation textbooks discussed on the Simio Academic Resources page.
My company often teaches classes; do we qualify for academic software?
Probably not. Many commercial organizations such as service companies and hospitals also have an academic component that offers training or teaching. An organization will be considered to be commercial unless formal education is the primary service delivered or prior written authorization from Simio LLC is provided.
I work for a non-profit institution; do we qualify for academic software?
While Simio LLC strongly supports charitable causes, this is not an appropriate use of Academic Software. But we are happy to work with you in other ways to help meet your modeling needs within a limited budget.
Who is eligible to use academic or student software?
Only currently enrolled students and currently employed professors/staff are authorized to use academic software.
How do you define a commercial project?
We understand that student projects often involve commercial systems. Simulation results consist of the models, animations, reports, summarized results, and other similar artifacts of a simulation project. How results are used seems a reasonable way to differentiate commercial applications.
If any results are shared privately with the commercial organization, then the project will generally considered to be of commercial benefit and is an invalid use of academic software. In this case a commercial version of Simio must be used.
If all results pertaining to a project are either not shared or are made publicly available (such as a published thesis or undergraduate student projects published on a publicly accessible web site) then it is typically considered to be a valid use of academic software.
Models may not be shared between academic and commercial versions of Simio.
For borderline or questionable projects contact Simio for a predetermination.
Can secondary education (high schools) use simulation too?
Pre-college students can also be successful with the software. Integrating simulation into a secondary school curriculum can increase interest in math, science, design, technology, and all aspects of computers. Simio’s easy to use library makes it easy for students. Simio’s built-in link to Google 3D Warehouse will probably be of particular attraction to students because they can do some really fun 3D animations. The 100% grant program will still apply, but generally approval will be preceded by a discussion of course objectives and integration. We can even attempt to connect you with local college personnel who may be interested in supporting you in your simulation class.
Still more questions?
If any parts of our academic program are not clear, please email us or contact us toll free at 1-877-297-4646.