What is Discrete Event Simulation Modeling?
Most business processes can be described as a sequence of separate discrete events. For example, a truck arrives at a warehouse, goes to an unloading gate, unloads, and then departs. To simulate this, discrete event simulation is often chosen.
Using discrete event simulation modeling, the movement of a train from point A to point B is modeled with two events, namely a departure and an arrival. The actual movement of the train would be modeled as a time delay between the departure and arrival events. These events and movement between them can be smoothly animated.
Discrete event simulation focuses on the processes in a system at a medium level of abstraction. Typically, specific physical details, such as car geometry or train acceleration, are not represented. Discrete event simulation modeling is widely used in the manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare fields.
In our white paper, Multimethod Simulation Modeling for Business Applications, we investigate three main simulation modeling approaches: discrete event, agent based, and system dynamics modeling, and construct a multimethod model example to illustrate the advantages of combining different methods. Read the white paper and see why hybrid models are always a better choice!
