What is a Simulation Software?

Simulation Software creates a model or representation of real events that enables engineers to evaluate and optimize the events virtually. It is part of Computer aided engineering software. It has the ability to create any model based on mathematical formulas. It is done by executing the model with a computer program that provides needed information. As this approach provides mathematical formulas and visual explanations this approach is comparatively reliable and scalable.

Simulation Software helps businesses in better understanding the workflow of a particular system. It helps in determining the future behaviour of s system and also helps I creating a course of action that can enhance the workflow or in worst case, avoid fatal error from happening. With the help of the simulation software, businesses can develop an accurate replica of their process, which could be very similar to generating a flowchart. By adding controls and guidelines around the tasks, simulation can precisely signify a real process.

Simulation Software offers an effective, proof based method to make better decisions with the help of a simulated depiction that helps in testing the effect of process changes and also address 'what if' scenarios.

Best Simulation Software

AnyLogic – AnyLogic offers a consolidated platform that serves all the simulation modelling requirements of businesses. With AnyLogic, businesses will be able to simulate any process or a system. AnyLogic was the first to present the multimethod simulation modelling, and it is still the only software that offers this method of simulation….Read more

Simulink – With Simulink, businesses can design and simulate their system or processes prior to moving to any hardware. They can explore and execute designs without writing C, C++, or HDL code. Businesses can authenticate their design with Simulink’s hardware-in-the-loop testing and faster prototyping, which also would help them in cutting down on costly models which could either be risky or time intense to consider….Read more

FlexSim – FlexSim offers visual validation which provides businesses with a virtual depiction of their models, processes or systems. This helps them in seeing if the model works as per the requirement or it doesn’t. Businesses can execute simulation by leveraging “what if” scenarios without making any modifications to the real model. With FlexSim, professionals just need to drag-and-drop to place objects and resources right into the 3D environment….Read more

Ansys - Ansys offers a wide-ranging software collection that provides businesses operating in any field of engineering with simulation services that are required to design an enhanced process or a system. Professionals can quickly gain new ideas, restate and innovate by using the Ansys Discovery 3D design software. It offers all the easy to use tools, with which they can create and enhance lighter and smarter products….Read more

COMSOL Multiphysics - COMSOL Multiphysics offers an all-purpose simulation software that helps businesses with testing and enhancing their modelling designs, devices, and processes in all areas of engineering, manufacturing, and research. With COMSOL, businesses can also convert their models into simulation applications and digital twins which can also be uses by other design teams….Read more

Wolfram Mathematica – Wolfram Mathematica offers a diverse range of solutions that cater to dynamic simulation. The company offers a exclusively efficient platform that helps businesses in building, deploying, authenticating and assessing multifaceted simulations. It offers a collaborative interface, a powerful pre-built programming and development environment, leading visualization, enhanced documentation and presentation system….Read more

Simio – Simio offers object oriented simulation solutions, which also help in defining processes and objects stepwise, graphically, with zero codes to be written. Simio Simulation Software helps in facilitating efficient utilization of critical resources, forecasts and presents the influence of suggested process modifications, improves productivity through enhanced facility design and much more….Read more

iGrafx – Businesses can create models for their processes or systems with the help of iGrafx client. The company offers effective process modelling features that help businesses in accurately understating the current state of their processes or systems. Businesses can also execute dynamic analysis to predict the results of alterations, envision simulation steps in animated forms to determine any issues present and much more….Read more

SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium – SOLIDWORKS enables businesses to test their designs and models in real-time conditions which helps in enhancing quality of the final output and saves cost. SOLIDWORKS offers a wide range of structural analysis tools that leverage Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to forecast a product’s behaviour in real-time by virtually testing CAD models….Read more

Market Overview

Simulation Software has the ability to create a model that is formed by equations or mathematical data and place it in a pre-defined system. With these models, it becomes easy for engineers to perform analysis and conclude their observations of system and model interaction. This gives the results about the system performance, life span of that system and will also predict if there any defects in the system. Simulation software has a core task that concentrates on testing and simulation of the products.

Simulation software enables users in observing operation virtually i.e. without implementing it. There are numerous simulation tools like spreadsheets, discrete event simulators, agent-based simulators, continuous simulators, and hybrid simulators. This software is usually implemented in manufacturing industries and helps engineers to check the operations by imitating it. Usually, this software is designed based on the mathematical formulas and is used to understand future risks associated with the process. It enables engineers in evaluating, optimizing and comparing product design by simulating these events. Other applications of simulation software are in industries like healthcare, industrial, education and many such industries where there is a need to identify future risk.

Simulation solutions are mainly designed for CAE that provides a predefined bunch of features, shapes, and objects that are used for modelling. It also performs virtual testing like fault tolerance. It comes with a couple of tools that are used post processing like simulation results, charts, and data analyzation tools.

The Simulation software market is predicted to grow from $5.51 Billion in 2016 to $13.45 Billion by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.5% during the forecast period. The increased need for eco-friendly environments across the world and the growing number of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are expected to drive the growth of the market. Software is adopted in multiple industries like aerospace, defence, and automobile.

The best simulation software generally enables companies to create a virtual process and perform observation of particular operation that enables them to check a new system or operation with multiple inputs for performing analysis. It saves organization costs for developing a new system or product while modifying it as per the desired results. It has the ability to analyse the process and real time interaction with the simulation model.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

1. Growing demand for simulation software in multiple industries.
2. Adoption of an eco-friendly environment.
3. Using simulation in aerospace and defence.

Restraints

1. Low investment into data security for avoiding simulation attacks can restrain the growth of the market.

Challenges

1. Risks involved in data security.
2. Lack of standards and benchmarks in the simulation and analysis technology.
3. The integration complexities in the simulation and analysis tools

Opportunities

1. Usage of Multiphysics in the simulation system.
2. Creation of digital twins to run simulations in real-time.
3. Use of AI and machine learning.

The competitive leadership mapping provides information for the Simulation software solution providers. Vendor evaluations are based on two broad categories: product offering and business strategy. Each category comprises of different criteria, which are used to assess vendors. The evaluation criteria considered under product offerings include the breadth of offering, delivery (based on industries that the vendors cater to, deployment models, and subscriptions), features/functionality, delivery, product quality and reliability, and product differentiation. The evaluation criteria considered under business strategy include geographic footprint (on the basis of geographic presence), channel strategy and fit, vision alignment, and effectiveness of growth (on the basis of innovations, partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions).

ANSYS, AnyLogic, Simulink, FlexSim,and Wolfram Mathematica have been identified as visionary leaders in Simulation Software.

Mapp, Forge, EMS, SLM, Prospect, GASP, and Mimic have been recognized as dynamic differentiators in the Simulation Software.

Arena, Comsol Multiphysics, and WITNESS have been identified as the innovators in the Simulation Software.

CHARGE, SolidEdge Simulation Software, and GENESYS have been identified as the emerging companies in the Simulation Software.

Why use Simulation Software?

Simulation software resolves actual problems by testing it virtually. It comes with a mathematical analysis that enables users to modify quickly and easily. It has the ability to represent complex systems in the simpler forms which can be visually modified as per desired outcomes.

It stands out from other types of programming like Excel as it enables users to perform analysis of real time on the system. It lets users do an inspection of the model as well as the simulation is interactive software so it can be built in no time with desired results.

Simulation software lets organizations experiment with unique ideas virtually with zero risks which made it more efficient and one of the key software for organizations. It can make changes in the system by making it more optimal in the cost-effective way.

Simulation allows testing on an effective digital depiction of a system. Contrasting to physical modelling, like creating a scale replica of a building, simulation modelling is computer based and leverages algorithmic procedures and calculations. Simulation software delivers a lively environment for the examination of computer models though they are running, including the likelihood to view them in 2D or 3D.

Precise Representation of Reality

With the increasing difficulty of analysis, the need to use computer-based tools also increases. Although spreadsheets can do numerous calculations to help evaluate the functioning status of simple systems, they make use of averages to signify agendas, activity times, and resource obtainability. This stops them from precisely presenting the unpredictability and interconnectedness that exists in reality with resources and other system components. But, simulation considers the unpredictability as well as the interconnectedness which portrays the behaviour of the business environment in real-time. With the help of simulation, businesses can include unpredictability through correctly recognized probability distributions occupied right from study data.

Intuitive System Assessments

Simulation Software monitors actions as they happen and collects all the data for reporting purposes that is associated with time. By deploying static analysis methods like the queuing theory and spreadsheets, users can get to know the regular wait time and the number of objects in a queue but they do not have further capability to assess that data. With the help of simulation, businesses can get to know the wait time, number of objects, least and highest values, assurance interval, data circulation, and the time plot of values.

Animated Conception

Animation is an enormously powerful characteristic of the simulation software. Responses from animation guarantees model precision, recognizes blocks, and helps in understanding about the system components that could be altered to get better outputs. Animation is also an outstanding presentation and training tool. Animation combined with simulation can deliver fresh ideas effortlessly and efficiently, and evidently validate the effects of a local modification on a global system.

Who uses Simulation Software?

Simulation software provides real-time results based on the inputs. These kinds of features are needed in the gaming industry. This software is also highly used in other important industrial applications. This software plays a key role in the aviation industry. In this industry, the actual control system of the airplane is connected to simulation solution that gives the real-time experience of a number of situations to new pilots as a part of the training. This helps the pilot to get well trained without any disaster taking place.

This software also plays an important role in the supply chain industry as the simulation is involved in creating final goods from the raw parts. For getting the final part number of inputs are given to the software to observe the outcomes and based on that final product is obtained. This increases supply chain efficiency and keeps customer satisfaction optimized in a cost-effective way.

A simulation solution is also used in warehouse management. It helps warehouse to understand the number of orders that can be shipped. This can provide a proper set of requirement which gives clear picture to customers of real time availability of products. This also manages warehouse products storage in an optimal way.

Computer Simulation represents a clear picture in detailed of warehouse operations like strategies of operations, docking, conveyor belts, pickup and storing of goods and many more. When the simulation model is implemented it represents virtually the entire warehouse management process. It collects all kinds of statistics and inventory needed and provides report based on its analysis.

In electrical and electronics applications, simulation software is used for simulating electromagnetic performance across component, circuit and system design, and can evaluate temperature, vibration, and other critical mechanical effects. Automotive simulation software is now crucial as car and truck makers are majorly investing in the development of advanced vehicle technologies such as autonomous driving systems, safety-critical control software and smart electronics. 

What are the various types of simulation that can be used by organizations?

Simulation is an approach that is used by organizations to design and test their models, processes or systems prior to implementing them in real time, in order to avoid design failure and save the time and costs associated. There are commonly three types of simulations used by organizations:

Deterministic Simulation

A type of simulation that does not account for doubts, and comprises of an exlusive comprehension of the system. The input criteria for a deterministic simulation type are generally represented with a single value. This type of simulation may be able to deliver a broad overview of the mechanism of the system, but may not always offer precise predictions.

Probabilistic Simulation

This type of simulation clearly signifies uncertainty by stipulating inputs as probability distributions, i.e. if the inputs for a particular model or a system or a process are uncertain, the performance forecast of that model, system or process would be uncertain.

Monte Carlo Simulation

Monte Carlo simulation is generally used to define any method that estimates solutions to quantitative glitches via statistical sampling. Monte Carlo simulation is a type of simulation that clearly and quantitatively signifies uncertainties. In Monte Carlo Simulation, the whole system, model or process is simulated for numerous times. Every simulation is termed as a realization and for each realization uncertain criteria are tested. The system is then simulated so that the performance can be evaluated, which delivers separate results, each result representing a probable future.

Live Simulation

This type of simulation involves real people operating real system. It can comprise individuals or groups and they may use actual equipment. This type of simulation has a high chance of replicating the actual activity.

Virtual Simulation

These are the most common types of simulations. It involves real people operating virtual systems. It needs motor control skills, decision skills, and communication skills.

Constructive Simulation

This type of simulation involves simulated people operating simulated systems. Real people can update or modify inputs but they are not determining the outcome. It has the ability to analyze concepts, predicting possible outcomes, analysis, and statistical data measurement or calculation.

What are the top features of the Simulation Software?

Standard features that are included in the Simulation Software are:

3D Modelling

3D modeling is the method of developing a mathematical demonstration of any object in three dimensions by means of particular software. In software this feature is very useful as it represents how final outcome will look like.

Scenario Manager

The software allows businesses to run a large number simulations with diverse configurations in order to compare and assess how one state performed against another with the help of adjustable spider diagrams and data tables.

Input-data analysis capability

This is the ability of software to estimate experimental or statistical distributions from input that is provided to it.

Graphical model-building

In graphical model the outcome of the software is represented in the format of process flow, block diagram, or network approach.

Data integrations

With simulation software, users can connect simulations to simple data tools like Excel, CSV files, etc. or even form more refined database connections through SQL and ODBC.

Simulation Programming

Simulation modelling has the ability to insert technical logic through a advanced powerful simulation language.

Input Flexibility

Simulation software is able to accept data from external files, databases, spreadsheets, or in an interactive manner.

Analytical Visualization

Simulation Software offers 2D analytical visualizations which have the ability to instantly produce actionable insights. The software also offers animated simulations which help users in assessing and validating their models, designs or processes in real-time. This feature presents the mechanism of a process or a system, and depicts the way it changes over time. It acts as a powerful communication tool that helps the users to better understand the process.

User-built Custom Objects

Simulation software provides users with reusable objects, template and sub models.

Direct Manipulation

The simulation software enables interactions between human and machine that represent objects of interest with customizable actions. 

Dynamic Modelling

This is the ability of simulation software to use simulation modelling to design model that demonstrate time varying performance of object.

What are the major factors to be considered prior to buying the Simulation Software?

Easy to Install

The chosen simulation software has to be easy to install and should be simple enough to be understood by for all users. It needs to have a user interface that should inspire users to find more features within the software.

Integration with CAD

It is of utmost importance to circumvent and unwanted disruptions to the design workflow. So the software that fails to offer full CAD integration will most probably slow the entire process down, which stresses upon the fact that it is important that the businesses opt for a solution which comprises an interface to the CAD package that they use. Integration with CAD reduces model preparation time, makes acceptance of simulation software greatly easier and increases complete ease of use. 

Trainings

It is necessary for the businesses to know about the solution providers who stress more about telephone support. Currently, self-learning content is a far more suitable way to study a new software or get instant refreshers on elapsed functionality. This is the reason why businesses should search for simulation software that provide a lot of online tutorials. This helps in reducing the learning curve to a great extent.

Adaptability

Post the completion a designing a model or a system and moving to the analysis phase and needing to wait for long for the analysis to be prepared is tedious and is often time consuming. Adaptive Meshing simplifies this process considerably and it reduces the time required to actually set up a design analysis.

Quick and Precise

Even though a business opts for a feature-loaded simulation software, it can prove to be useless if it happens to be sluggish and clumsy. And, if it fails to deliver 100% accuracy, it just won’t deliver any advantage to the design or manufacturing teams. Hence, when making a selection of a simulation software, it is important to check if the software is able to perform faster and precise simulations in in real-time. This will help the design teams to regain lost time and confirm that costly, faulty physical prototypes do not exist.

Regular Software Upgrades and Support

Once the teams start using the software, or find any problems along the way, contacting the support and getting the queries addressed proves to be a big vale add and builds trust. Online material like support articles, tutorial videos and user communities are also great sources of knowledge and support. Another aspect is to find out is the frequency that the software gets updates or maintenance patches that provide latest features and resolutions to users queries. It is also important to see how these updates are provided to confirm they will be well-matched with the companies’ IT policies.

What are the benefits of using a Simulation Software?

Two of the most significant things to remember while selecting the Simulation Software are how simple it is to use and how easily it will automate everyday tasks. These are some of the key benefits of the Simulation Software:

Flexibility

Users can simulate multiple things as per their requirements. It involves everything right from the aviation industry to all other industrial applications. The software is flexible and has the potential to perform all the tasks. As systems may vary, the software offers basic features which distinguish from one system to another.

Easier Model Creation

Due to the short deadlines for many projects the precision and swiftness of modelling process is a critical feature to be considered. simulation software offers authentication and fixing tools, which assist in the smooth creation of the models.

CAD Conversion

A CAD translator basically converts a CAD drawing into the drawing system that is generally used in simulation. This functionality helps in saving time when professionals design large or complicated conveyor models or manufacturing procedures.

Risk Free Environment

With Simulation modeming it becomes easy to test multiple situations without making actual changes in the environment.

Cost-effective and Saves time

As changes are made virtually before making actual changes, the system saves money and also multiple inputs are tried are tested before getting final outcome so it saves time as well.

Insights into System Behaviour

With a high level of animation in 2D or 3D, simulation provides deep insights into the system behaviour over time. This gives a clear picture of the system with clear demonstration.

Test Complex and Large systems

The simulation software has the ability to test complex scenarios with multiple inputs easily.

Study of Complex Operations

The simulation software helps in understanding how your operations will be affected as a result of a variable. This can involve many complex operations and is a key part of any organization.

Increased accuracy

The simulation software can get a huge crunch of information than other analytical models. This feature of the simulation model increases accuracy and can predict any errors in the system.

What are the limitations involved in using a Simulation Software?

Complicated policies and procedures

Simulation models create data and recordings that have to be stored correctly to avoid the problem.

Hiring and training qualified Simulation technicians

Lack of consistent training for simulation technicians can create a challenge while hiring the capable person to round out the entire simulation team.

Developing relevant scenarios

Educators require recognizing their learning goal of the simulation tool and then pass on simulation technology to attain them.

Security

Risks are involved in data security. So organizations need to invest in the data security so that this issue is overcome.

Cost

It's always advisable to start out the free trials first before you spend money in an entire solution. This can give a better idea as to what a company has to offer and can be the best way to determine if you can afford the software, or if it will not be an excellent long-term investment.

Lack of accuracy

Simulation Software depend a lot on the kind of inputs received and hence, may lack accuracy in certain situations. However, users can refine the inputs they feed to the software and enhance the output gradually.

Understanding the simulation data

The output of simulation is sometimes difficult for the users to understand. Though, there are computer software available currently which can simplify the data and present it in graphs, maps etc., presenting large quantity of big data into graphs may result in damage of some information.

Which industries use Simulation Software?

Healthcare

Simulation Software helps in building training courses for the healthcare industry, simulations in e-learning have become essential. In a real-time clinical situation, there margin for error is next to zero. So, with the help of online training courses created with simulations, the pupils can not only fail, but also know about the concerns of their actions.

For instance, teaching doctors about a surgical procedure is likely with the help of simulations in e-learning. A video of the real surgery can be comprised in the e-learning program that can act as an orientation point for the training. Apprentices can view every step in the surgical procedure with the help of 2D and 3D simulations. Learners can be requested to choose the correct medical tools to perform the procedure. In case of incorrect selections, pertinent response can be delivered.

Manufacturing

The whole manufacturing industry is varied and workforces need to continually work on their current skills or adopt new skills. Simulation Software can help in creating a simulated environment where learners can exercise these skills in a safely. Manufacturing industries make extensive use of automated procedures and the same must be simulated in these trainings.

For instance, a manufacturing unit that wants to train operators on using a new, latest machinery. A simulation software has the potential to replicate all the steps that are to be taken to operate the machine correctly, and it also enables the users to exercise the steps needed to operate it, save time and cuts the training expenses of the organization.

Banking

The banking industry has a constant need to train employees on procedures, agreements, financial software, sales and communication skills. For instance, a bank wants to train its teams on the loan sanction process. The necessities to process a loan are:

1. Evaluating the accurate credit rating of a client

2. Taking into account the customer requirements such as the interest rates and payment terms

3. Processing the loan sanction in four days

With the present process, the bank takes up to ten days to process a loan request, errors are made in assessing the right credit score, and exact customer requirements are not looked at. Simulation Software can be used by banks to train its employees on using specific software used in the banking industry.

Aviation

Simulations have been extensively leveraged as a training tool since several years, in the aviation and aerospace industry. The aviation industry makes use high reliability flight simulators that imitate cockpit arrangement, on-board visuals, signals and sounds. But, the disadvantage is that a big number of people cannot be trained simultaneously, as these high reliability flight simulators are usually very expensive to implement.

Whereas, a low reliability flight simulators do not have the capability to recompense for the high reliability flight simulators, apprentices can make use flight simulations in order to achieve the subsequent goals:

1. Acquaint themselves with airplane system panels and strictures

2. Learn pre-flight and on-board actions

3. Perform functioning actions

4. Improve team work and crew resource handling skills

5. Best Simulation Software can be used to complement high value training conveyed in the aviation industry.

Tourism and Hospitality

The tourism and hospitality industry depends a lot on its people to provide better services to the travellers and other customers. Learners in the hospitality industry need to exercise real-time tasks like customer relations, social skills, and functional procedures.

With the simulation software, simulated hotel can be arranged in order to prepare learners for the trials of managing the front-office processes, food service, and managing customers in 5-star hotels. This may not be likely in classroom training sessions. But, a workplace simulator helps.

What are the current trends in the Simulation Software market?

As new organizations and industries are implementing automation and efficiency method, committed machining top simulation software is a likely fit into current companies.

AI and machine learning

AI and machine learning plays vital role in top simulation solutions market. It can complete the essential process and management tasks that will save engineers time or shorten procedures. A machine learning feature will have ability to observe senior technicians use of simulation tools, along with how they use it and what parameter they set, to then precisely restructure this to a amount for less skilled technician and enable them to use the tool.

Multiphysics interactions

The multiphysics interactions comprise multidisciplinary optimization that will decrease the time needed to analyze the product, whether its a chip or else, and find the accurate resolution to either problem technicians face. This lead to enhanced products at lesser cost.

Microservices for simulation

Microservices for simulation can be used by multiple products, integrating with each other through application programming interfaces and running scalably on cloud computing like Microsoft Azure or AWS. This will give outcome which will be more accessible, flexible and re-usable.

Scale up simulation

Run time is one f the challenge that many organizations face. But with scale up simulation or hyper scale up simulation, this problem is solved. It uses all form of algorithms, GPU, SMP, MPI, and supercomputers. This enables the customers to tap into hyper scale simulation and run simulation that formerly might have taken thousands of hours to complete and, since it's running on additional cores, slash that time considerably and run it in only a minutes or few hours.

IoT and IIoT to Drive Digital Twin Adoption Rate

The capability of the digital twin to produce digital representation of IIoT devices and also combine the information they produce creates numerous use cases enterprises will discover in the coming years. 

Digital Twin for Cybersecurity Challenges

Digital twin will be used as a penetration testing device to imitate the effects of successful information that breach or ransom ware to an organization business process. Within the digital twin environment, attack to core equipment can be simulated and the outcome will be a response model that ensure the crippled equipment does not lead to extensive downtime.

Recent Developments

1. In May 2020, 3DOptix  launched a free, cloud-based optical design and simulation platform that needs no installation. Both professionals and students can run an optical simulation with off-the-shelf optical components from leading vendors or any customized optical elements.
2. In September 2019, MathWorks introduced Release 2019b of MATLAB and Simulink with a range of new capabilities in MATLAB and Simulink, including those in support of artificial intelligence, deep learning and the automotive industry. 
3. In June 2019, ANSYS 2019 R2 Strengthens Digital Thread Between Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing.  With an innovative ANSYS® Mechanical™ user experience, simplified simulation of complex electronics and a new ANSYS® Fluent™ workflow that significantly speeds meshing of dirty geometries, ANSYS' pervasive simulation engineering solutions enable digital transformation speeding customers' innovations and reducing their time to market.
4. In April 2019, Wolfram Research Releases Version 12 of the Wolfram Language and Mathematica for Advanced Data Science and Computational Discovery. The latest version includes over a thousand new functions and features for multiparadigm data science, automated machine learning and blockchain manipulation for modern software development and technical computing.