What you should really look for when choosing simulation software
Choosing a simulation tool is not purely a technical matter. It is a strategic decision that affects IT, planning, production and logistics in equal measure. The requirements are diverse: Should the tool be operated internally? Who will do the modelling and who will evaluate the results? Which processes should be mapped?
With over 30 years of experience, SimPlan supports companies in sustainably integrating simulation into their operations. The following 10 tips offer sound guidance for tool selection, beyond checklists and feature comparisons.
1. Clear requirements instead of tool hype
Not every company needs its own simulation tool. If you only plan a few analyses per year, you are often better off with an external service provider. Investing in software is worthwhile if you regularly deal with questions, want to build up internal capacities and also want to become methodologically independent. Simulation is a strategic tool – not just a tool.
2. Involve specialist departments
The best results are achieved when everyone involved is involved from the outset. IT, planning, logistics and production have different perspectives on requirements and usage. Only through this exchange can a realistic picture of requirements be created that will later work in everyday life – from data access and model structure to the use of results.
3. Use cases instead of checklists
Feature lists appear objective, but say little about the suitability of a tool for your specific issues.
Instead, describe typical use cases: Which processes do you want to analyse? Which decisions need to be supported? This allows you to assess whether the tool is methodologically and functionally suitable and whether it can be used in practice.
4. Realistically assess the data situation
Simulation requires data, often more and more complex than initially assumed. Therefore, check early on: What data is available? In what format, how up-to-date is it and how detailed is it? Some tools cope better with real mass data or time series than others. Interfaces for preliminary planning or ERP systems can also be crucial.
5. Consider the licensing model and operation
The type of licensing not only determines the costs, but also how flexibly the tool can be used. Local licences are useful for sensitive data, for example, while cloud solutions allow location-independent working. It is also important to consider whether multiple users can work simultaneously, e.g. in larger planning teams or across different locations.
6. Usability for your user group
What is considered ‘simple’ depends on the user: IT-savvy modellers want interfaces, code access or API connectivity, while planners prefer graphical building blocks and guided model logic. Existing programming skills and training capacities should also be taken into account in the decision, as should the scripting language used by the tool.
7. Check the community and references
A good tool is not only recognised by its functions, but also by its active ecosystem. Is there a community where questions can be answered? Are there partner companies that offer extensions or libraries? References from your industry also help to realistically assess the suitability of a tool, including application examples and project complexity.
8. Realistic impressions instead of show demos
Many demos are visually impressive, but their content is not reliable. Ask providers for reference projects with real data, comprehensible KPIs and a documented procedure. This will allow you to see how flexible and versatile the tool really is and avoid surprises later on.
9. Consider training and support
Simulation is not a plug-and-play tool. Clarify whether structured training, comprehensible documentation and accessible support are available, both from the manufacturer and from external partners. The question of how knowledge can be passed on internally is also important: for example, through model documentation or training for new employees.
10. Proof of concept as a reality test
A targeted pilot project helps to test the tool under real conditions. It shows how well your data can be integrated, whether the model structure fits your processes and whether the results can be interpreted meaningfully. Many of our customers combine the PoC with training to familiarise themselves with both the tool and the procedure.
Conclusion on the selection of simulation tools
Selecting the right simulation software is not a matter of luck, but the result of clear goals, realistic assessments and structured preparation. Those who describe use cases in concrete terms, involve specialist departments and clarify data requirements lay the foundation for well-founded decisions and viable models.
