We are very excited about bringing you the release of Process Simulator 2009. The new capabilities that it contains will enable you to more efficiently model your processes, more easily build and manage your models, and more effectively visualize your results.
Data Visualization with Data Graphics – the most exciting change is how Process Simulator takes advantage of Data Graphics and External Data linking in Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Professional. With External Data linking, you can directly connect your simulated results to the shapes in your diagram and visually display them with Data Graphics. Imagine being able to view your Activity Utilization on the actual Activities in the diagram or have the Activities change color based upon the value of the Utilization. Next imagine taking this same visualization and applying it to multiple scenarios so that the results are displayed and easily compared together on the diagram! With this kind of visual analysis you can more clearly see the results of your changed inputs and make better decisions faster in determining optimal solutions.
Along with the new Data Graphics capability, Process Simulator 2009 will include:
Export/Import to and from Microsoft Office Excel – model information will be exportable to Excel not only to view it all in one place but also to modify it and import it back into Process Simulator. Model building and management will be easier than ever before.
Calendars – definition of shifts and time off (holiday, vacation, etc.) for activities and resources will be done using a new .NET calendar interface. It will provide a more accurate and intuitive way for scheduling resource availability.
Enhanced Scheduled Arrivals – individual arrival definitions will have the capability to be repeated, which can significantly reduce the number of scheduled arrival definitions. And with the introduction of Calendars, your scheduled arrivals will also be definable by a calendar date.
Process Simulator 2009 will be tested and released for US-English versions of Windows and Visio. It will be followed by a minor release that will support foreign language operating systems (German, Portuguese, and Spanish) and contain the following new features:
Pattern Arrivals – this new arrival type will allow for a cyclical arrival definition where a user-defined pattern over a specified period of time can be setup and repeated throughout a simulation run.
Arrivals adhering to a Calendar definition – assign a Calendar to an arrival and restrict when entities will enter the system.
New licensing technology – this update will introduce new software licensing technology which will simplify the licensing and upgrade processes.
Process Simulator 2009 will only support Microsoft Office Visio 2003 and 2007. It will no longer support Microsoft Office Visio 2002. It is recommended that you upgrade to Office Visio 2007 Professional to take advantage of the exclusive capability of Data Graphics introduced in Process Simulator 2009.
