ProModel Erfahrungen

Process Simulator: User review

Kommentare: I have created a full-scale, to-scale digital twin of the manufacturing facility that I work in using Process Simulator's basic version. The higher-up versions contain far more features for more sophisticated process simulation models.

Vorteile:

The best feature of this software is its ability to import to-scale AutoCAD or pdf versions of a to-scale drawing and then allow the user to build process simulations on top of that drawing either in 2D or 3D.

Nachteile:

If the operator figures and the transport devices (e.g. forklifts) could move from one location to another during the process simulation, that would be an excellent addition to an already powerful and versatile software.

Process Simulator - Attempted Migration from ProModel

Vorteile:

Process Simulator is a phenomenal product. Having an expert level background in ProModel and Visio, the learning curve for me was practically non-existent. I am a professor and teach both ProModel and Process Simulator to graduate students in a technical capstone class. For students, the Quickstart and How To videos were very helpful allowing them to create fairly straightforward process flow diagrams in Process Simulator. When compared to ProModel, Process Simulator is a superior product for modeling processes that can be illustrated using simple process flow charts. It is ideal for use in a Quality, Six Sigma/Lean Process Optimization scenario. This is not to suggest that Process Simulator can't handle more complex scenarios, just that I personally find ProModel more appropriate for highly dynamic and larger models.

Nachteile:

First of all, a working knowledge of Visio is very helpful, although not a prerequisite. Also, to accurately model scenarios, there is a significant amount of information needed to move from the purely Visio environment to the Process Simulator environment. The level of detail needed with respect to the amount and type of information to accurately define properties for activities, routing rules and arrivals was the same magnitude as needed for a simulation model using ProModel. Consequently, a great deal of time was spent troubleshooting initial models. In Process Simulator, default values are automatically inserted when simulation properties are applied in addition to input and output buffers associated with each activity. Therefore, the output results are problematic until all of the default values are changed and buffers removed. Also, in contrast to ProModel, there is no realistic visualization of the modeled process. Finally, in many cases we would bring Process Simulator models into ProModel for debugging where it was more straightforward.

Review

Kommentare: Overall, the experience has been a positive one, though it is different to learn.

Vorteile:

It's easy to add it on to Visio and convert Visio flowcharts to a PCS model

Nachteile:

The support from Promodel is great, however, there is not a lot of other PCS/promodel presence online such as forums or articles about how to set up certain logic for different scenarios; there's not much of a Promodel "community" online. It's also not super easy to use for someone without an engineering or programming background.

A Review of Process Simulator

Kommentare: I am very happy with Process Simulator. Because I previously used ProModel, I have had great confidence in the software. I think some dissatisfaction with it may result from the fact that it takes a "process view" of things. It is not what I would call "location-based". You don't overtly see the total queue for example in front of a machine. One must think a little differently when using this software. But I believe that it has it's place and can be very useful. It fits the process paradigm very well.

Vorteile:

A key advantage that both Process Simulator has is that one can develop models quickly. Additionally, many features help the user not only in building the model but also in maintaining it. For example, if one changes a variable, the old variables are renamed automatically throughout the model. Features like these really help the user. The fact that it also takes advantage of third party software, i.e. Excel and Visio is also very important to the user. Such third party capability really improves the ability to share and get data easily in the models. The ability to download any model into Excel, to be able to manipulate certain variables and then to be able to upload those changes back into the model is powerful. Other features that I really appreciate are the ability to quickly set up batch logic and the ability to interrupt process times. It appears that the developers of this software had significant real world experience in model development and really wanted to support the users. Still other important features include the scenario manager. It's easy to set up and execute scenarios. Finally, the ability to define shifts based on the calendar is easy to do.

Nachteile:

It would be best if the software did not automatically put in the triangular distributions and default times in the properties box. I always end up deleting the default values. What the software does internally, within an activity block, is not always transparent. Although much can be learned by going through the debugger, there are still some things that the software does that are not transparent. Perhaps the solution to this would be some sort of advanced training. Process Simulator, although much improved, still does not have all of the features that ProModel has. For example, the version that I use (I'm not yet on 2019) does not allow you to look at the arrayed values imported into the model (this may have changed with 2019- but I'm not sure). Also, Process Simulator does not allow one to pass in alphanumeric character values like a part number of the form xxxxx.001+M. It allows you to create an entity with such characters, but you can only pass in numeric data as an attribute in the model. Because I use models for tactical planning, I need the capability to bring in such alphanumeric data. Finally, although I have not encountered this problem myself, I do know that shift carryover was an issue for sometime. I know that there is a solution to this, but in looking at the solution myself, it did not seem very intuitive.

Flexible, Powerful Simulation for most business processes

Kommentare: I have used Process Simulator for many years, progressing from simple models using little or no logic to those with complex, free form code. The flexibility of the tool allows each model to be very specific to the use case. This promotes the engagement off the customer because it reflects their unique process, using their terminology and data. Every time I model something, I find something counter-intuitive and surprising. We have used models with varying degrees of accuracy- we don't have to be perfect to be useful. Models are a means to an end, not an end in itself.

Vorteile:

It's quick and easy to set up simple models with no coding. It's pretty intuitive and the animation helps non-modelers appreciate the process execution- that's always a key selling point. The out of the box charting capability is very good and can handle most simple needs without exporting data to external spreadsheets etc. The initial tutorials give a good grounding in model building techniques and the software capabilities but the tool can really do a lot more than first meets the eye. Another key strength is the ability of the model to be used in more sophisticated ways as the ability of the modeler improves. All of the capability is there and once learned, it greatly increases the power of the model.

Nachteile:

Like most software, it's a "use it or lose it" proposition- you get better with practice and repeat application so the use within our company is limited to a few SME's. There are a lot of powerful coding techniques such as the Maparray function that is fantastic and elegant- but it takes time to learn. Sometimes debugging can be tedious because I will have to write a routine to read out values inside the model to figure out what is going on. I would like to see more in depth training articles online but the regular webinars run by the company help educate users in the more advanced features and they are very good.

A Fantastic Tool

Kommentare: In general, ProModel Process Simulator is the best Discrete Event Simulation Software on the market when measured for flexibility of application, ease of visualization/presentation, and cost. In a 2Billion design and manufacturing organization we have applied this tool to simple cell manufacturing environments, ultra-high volume lines, and entire insourced and outsourced factories.

Vorteile:

Promodel Process Simulator has provided my organization with a quantitative measurement of capacity, bottlenecks, and resource constraints that we had been only guessing at previously. This SW has consistently improved our business decision making.

Nachteile:

The SW is occasionally buggy and unstable especially with the transition to 2019. This is not a deal-breaker for development, but is a source of minor frustration and hindrance. The Solutions Cafe is a good start, but the development community and ease of learning is also lacking.

I have ProModel Professional

Kommentare: Staffing, bottleneck analysis, job shop and different mixes, rate changes, project portfolio management, business rule analysis, scheduling impacts, experience curve analysis, location analysis, storage analysis, information flow analysis, resource use analysis, ...
projects the students have performed have supported decisions that saved millions of dollars per year for companies by either making process changes or not making proposed process changes.

Vorteile:

Flexibility to model anything ProActiveX so that large amounts of information can be put into ProModel quickly Other associated tools such as statfit Ability to put in backgrounds and pictures Functionality with excel and databases so arrays and real time data can be used Expression builder Help desk is incredible ability to trace through

Nachteile:

Error messages are a bit vague at times User manual is a bit hard to interpret sometimes

Process Simulator is one of the best Simulation Tools out there

Vorteile:

It integrates into Visio workflows and is easy to use after basic simulation training. The customer support team is amazing if you get stuck on figuring something out.

Nachteile:

No cons identified for this software, plan to continue to utilize

Great Process Simulation Software

Vorteile:

The software itself provides an easy to use graphical interface that makes learning the fundamentals easy. For more advanced users, access to the coding panel provides more flexibility to model complex routings and events. Its the perfect mix of power and ease to model processes quickly and effectively.

Nachteile:

There are some current issues that limit flexibility for collaboration, such as incompatibility with Microsoft OneDrive. The new GUI is somewhat confusing for legacy users in terms of where features are laid out but can be adapted to.

Orlando VAMC Process Simulator

Kommentare: We are using process simulator to develop a model for an ED expansion. The software has worked well so far and we are encouraged that the model will provide insight into developing peak efficiency and reduce design flaws with the ED expansion project.

Vorteile:

Predictive ability when adjusting variables and customizable details to truly capture operations

Nachteile:

Requires high level knowledge of programming and software (Excel, StatFit, ETC).

Process Simulator Review

Kommentare: Process Simulator allows our company, which is still in prototyping mode, to get ahead of the curve and begin collecting and utilizing data for line balancing and flow pattern analysis. It is simple enough to easily present to management, but complex enough to organize the most complicated flows/logic and produce real results.

Vorteile:

The integration of Process Simulator into Microsoft Visio makes the software about as easy as possible to pick up and start modeling right away. In a similar vein, creating a basic model is extremely easy from a user-interface standpoint. I also liked that stat::fit was integrated into Process Simulator.

Nachteile:

Although the logic statement features are useful, they could be more intuitive - perhaps it makes sense to adopt the syntax of VBA or another programming language.

Easy to use simulator tool

Vorteile:

The Visio add-in makes it easy to convert an existing process flow diagram to a simulation . The capability to generate a working model of a Value Stream Map. The stencils that are available to create a more realistic looking tool.

Nachteile:

The software documentation can be enhanced.

Pluses and Deltas

Kommentare: I love it, just working on getting others to use it to make decisions

Vorteile:

Dynamic software, easy to run once it is built

Nachteile:

It takes a lot of time to build and learn

ProModel -A friendly software for companies

Vorteile:

You have many scenarios to simulate and you will be able to find and fix errors on the real process . Your company will save much money

Nachteile:

At the beginning the interface was a bit confuse. It's a matter of practice

Process Simulator Review

Vorteile:

I like how custom the software is. We were able to create a model that accurately simulates our process because we can customize so many aspects of the model.

Nachteile:

The only people that can really use and change the models are people that have experience with coding.