Simulation with ExtendSim

ExtendSim is an easy-to-use, yet extremely powerful, tool for simulating processes. It helps you understand complex systems and produce better results faster. With ExtendSim you can:

	Predict the course and results of certain actions
	Gain insight and stimulate creative thinking
	Visualize your processes logically or in a virtual environment
	Identify problem areas before implementation
	Explore the potential effects of modifications
	Confirm that all variables are known
	Optimize your operations
	Evaluate ideas and identify inefficiencies
	Understand why observed events occur
	Communicate the integrity and feasibility of your plans

What ExtendSim can do

ExtendSim allows you to simulate any system or process by creating a logical representation in an easy-to-use format.

Modeling capabilities

With ExtendSim, you get powerful modeling constructs, including:

	A full set of building blocks that allow you to build models rapidly
	A customizable graphical interface that depicts the relationships in the modeled system
	Unlimited hierarchical decomposition making enterprise-wide models easy to build and understand
	Dialogs, Notebooks, and an integrated database for changing model values, so you can quickly try out assumptions and interface with your model dynamically
	2D and realistic 3D animation of the model for enhanced presentation
	A full-featured authoring environment for building user-friendly front ends that simplify model interaction and enhance communication
	The ability to adjust settings dynamically, while the simulation is running
	An equation editor for creating custom-compiled equations
	The ability to create new blocks with custom dialogs and icons
	Complete scalability since model size is limited only by the limits of your system
	Evolutionary optimization, Monte Carlo, batch-mode, and sensitivity analysis
	Customizable reports and plotters for presentation and in-depth analysis
	Activity-based costing capabilities for analyzing cost contributors
	Full connectivity and interactivity with other programs and platforms

Simulation architecture

A robust architecture adds advanced features to make it the most scalable simulation system available:

	Multi-purpose simulation. ExtendSim is a multi-domain environment so you can dynamically model continuous, discrete event, discrete rate, agent-based, linear, non-linear, and mixed-mode systems.
	Library based. The blocks you build can be saved in libraries and easily reused in other models.
	Integrated compiled programming language and dialog editor, optimized for simulation. Modify ExtendSim’s blocks or build your own for specialized applications.
	Scripting support. Build and run models remotely, either from an ExtendSim block or from another application.
	Integrated support for other programming languages. Use ExtendSim’s built-in APIs to access code created in Delphi, C++ Builder, Visual Basic, Visual C++, etc.
	Over 1000 functions. Directly access functions for integration, statistics, queueing, animation, IEEE math, matrix, sounds, arrays, FFT, debugging, DLLs, string and bit manipulation, I/O, and so on; you can also define your own functions.
	Message sending. Blocks can send messages to other blocks interactively for subprocessing.
	Sophisticated data-passing capabilities. Pass values, arrays, or structures composed of arrays.
	Full support for a wide range of data types and structures. Arrays, linked-lists, and integers, real, and string data types are built in.
	Integrated data linking. Connect block dialog data to internal databases.

ExtendSim packages

All ExtendSim full-featured products have the same core set of capabilities. ExtendSim CP is the base package and is used for continuous modeling. Subsequent packages add modules designed for specific markets -- discrete event in OR, discrete rate in AT, and 3D animation in Suite. For more details on available packages, see ExtendSim Product Line.

Levels of use

You can use ExtendSim on many levels:

	Run pre-assembled models and explore alternatives by changing the data. If you work in a group environment, one or more authors can create models for others to run for experimentation. The author can also build a custom front end to facilitate user interaction with the model. The LT- RunTime version of ExtendSim allows non-modelers to run pre-assembled models, change data, and obtain results.
	Assemble your own models from the blocks that come with ExtendSim. ExtendSim is shipped with libraries of blocks to handle most modeling needs. To assemble a model, pull blocks from libraries and link connectors on the blocks. You can also assemble your own hierarchical blocks of subsystems and save them in libraries. This saves starting from scratch when you’re building a model of a process that has elements in common with a previous model.
	Use the integrated development environment to create new blocks that conform to the ExtendSim modeling architecture. The development environment is optimized for simulation and allows you to create blocks with custom code, dialogs, and icons and use them in your models just as you would other ExtendSim blocks. You can also modify the blocks that come with ExtendSim to work with your specific needs.
	Develop your own modeling architecture, conventions, and features. With the ExtendSim development environment, you can create a custom set of blocks with unique interfaces, communication protocols, and behaviors. This new architecture can be continuous, discrete event, discrete rate, agent-based, or an entirely new type of simulation.
	Automate your model building using the scripting functions to build wizards, or by using ActiveX/COM. You can use ActiveX/COM or block-based wizards to cause models to be automatically created or modified. Models can be also be programmatically created from a user input form or data file. This allows the modeling environment to be utilized indirectly by end-users who have little or no simulation experience.

Note: An ExtendSim ASP license is required to distribute the functionality of ExtendSim to other users or to provide internet or intranet access to ExtendSim or to its functionality.

Many different licensing options are available to you; each designed to fit a specific need or way in which you and/or your company use ExtendSim. Check License Types or contact us and we'll help you determine the type of license you need.