A Highly Interactive Discrete Event Simulator designed for Systems in Logistics

Simulation is considered to be a method to improve planning and control efficiency in the field of logistics. In our view no existing simulation tool meets the basic requirements sufficiently. We therefore developed a new simulator with the following characteristics: • Simulation principles: General purpose discrete event simulator. • Modeling basis: Meta model comprising few specific basic elements to be used according to a well-defined syntactical structure. • Modeling principle: A separation of material flow and information flow is enforced. Logically consistent hierarchical structures are provided. • Implementation: Realization in an object-oriented language (Smalltalk-80) • Working environment: Highly interactive modeling process to be performed in a man-machine-dialogue. Flexible visualization of the simulation model and the simulation results are provided. A brief summary of our experiences in simulation is given. Of our approach to develop an adequate simulator, we describe some basic elements as well as one specific application.