# Simcad Pro

Simcad Pro simulation software is a product of CreateASoft Inc. used for simulating process-based environments including manufacturing, warehousing, supply lines, logistics, and healthcare. It is a tool used for planning, organizing, optimizing, and engineering real process-based systems. Simcad Pro allows the creation of a virtual computer model, which can be manipulated by the user and represents a real environment. Using the model, it is possible to test for efficiency as well as locate points of improvement among the process flow. Simcad Pro's dynamic computer model also allows for changes to occur while the model is running for a fully realistic simulation. It can also be integrated with live and historical data.
Simulation software is part of a broader category of Industry 4.0 technologies, or technologies that move organizations to digitization of operations.

## Model Building
### User Interface

Simcad Pro has a user-friendly graphical user interface for building virtual models of process-based environments, and the entire model can be built and edited without coding, including any advanced model characteristics. In addition to this, Simcad Pro allows for data import from almost any data source, including Microsoft Access, Excel, Visio, and SQL Server databases for easier model creation. Simcad Pro also supports real-time tracking using devices including RFID tags and barcode scanners. Simulations can then be viewed in either 2D or 3D.

### Simulation Engine

Simcad Pro uses a patented simulation engine that is 64-bit and fully multi-threaded, distinguishing it from the SIMAN simulation engine used in many competing software products. Models built with the Simcad engine feature patented "On-The-Fly" simulation, meaning that models can be manipulated, edited, and transformed as they are performing a simulation run.

## Applied Industries

Any industry engaged in a process-flow environment can use Simcad Pro to model their operations. The main industries where Simcad Pro is used are manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain & logistics, and healthcare.

### Manufacturing

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate manufacturing operations, with the most common goals being to:
* Optimize production schedules
* Optimize labor allocation
* Perform capacity analysis and growth projection
* Manage and reduce WIP
* Identify bottlenecks and constraints
* Optimize facility layout
Simcad Pro supports high-mix manufacturing operations with the ability to model:
* Detailed part routing
* Multiple sub-assemblies/components and detailed BOM support
* Tooling and manpower constraints
* Work orders, detailed cell implementation and sequencing
* Kanban pull and material handling

### Warehousing

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate warehouses and distribution centers, with the most common goals being to:
* Optimize pick paths
* Perform congestion analysis
* Optimize staging areas
* Analyze receiving and put-away operations
* Optimize slotting
* Validate and implement automation
* Analyze storage media

### Supply Chain & Logistics

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate supply chains and logistics operations, with the most common goals being to:
* Manage inventory and delivery to ensure product availability
* Determine optimal locations for distribution centers
* Determine impact of changes to supply and demand
* Reduce transportation costs
* Optimize delivery routes
* Plan capacity and scheduling changes
* Reduce delivery lead time

### Healthcare

Simcad Pro can be used to simulate healthcare operations, such as emergency rooms and operating rooms, with the most common goals being to:
* Optimize patient flow and reduce patient wait times
* Optimize bed allocation
* Analyze length-of-stay
* Optimize staff utilization and scheduling
* Optimize ED capacity planning
* Optimize OR department scheduling & efficiency

## Version History

| Version No. | Released | Main Updates & Features |
| 15 | Jan. 2022 | Support for building SCARA robots, Gantry robots, and three-axis robots Updated visual process effect editor Automatically display color-coded process analytics Updated interface icons Updated library of process images |
| 14.0 | Feb. 2020 | Smart Entities Interactive VR Time Lapse Heat Maps, Spaghetti Diagrams, and Congestion Maps Rack Density Analysis Auto Rack Creation Goods-to-Person Support Moving/Mobile Robots Faster Execution |
| 13.0 | Mar. 2018 | New and improved 3D engine with more light effects, shadows, and material support Improved built in wizards to create fully functional racks, ASRS, allowing for dynamic rack and ASRS updates Improved search and replace feature designed to simplify extension tracking and updates Enhanced simulation engine to make better use of multi-core processors Support for IGES/Step file format File size optimization and enhanced base module support Enhanced zoom and display support Expanded external module import/export with support for base module controls Speed improvement for large models (more than 3000 processes) Additional Racks and Warehouse images Tree based structure for the Internal Base modules In addition to a number of fixes and improvements |
| 12 | Jan. 2016 | 64-bit simulation engine with no limitations on model size or complexity. Improved model run time and simulation engine optimization. Animated GIF files now supported in 2D. Animate people walking, interacting with equipment and equipment motion in 2D using the new .gif file support. Improved Collision Detection Improved Data Import sortation, filtering, and display Improved VB Scripting and Debugging Expanded and improved custom report generator with expanded support for Excel and Database integration Improved window display and sizing 3D file open/preview provides a quick preview of the 3D library; the 3D library includes people, machines, equipment, handling equipment, office and healthcare specific components. Model Annotations now in 3D. |
| 11.0 | Aug. 2013 | Ribbon Style Interface Dockable and Auto-Hide Windows Expanded model area Quick Access to multiple views for model validation and model settings Pan Mode Layer Designation Improved module functionality Toggle through overlapping connection lines Quick Object and Process Access through expanded Model tree Improved connection line control Improved Collision Detection Increased Simulation Speed Improved Object Rotation and Positioning in 3D Custom Distributions and Data Fitting Ask User prompt for models that utilize Excel(R) files Expanded resource utilization analysis Soft Reset of Simulation Engine, resets data collection and re-initializes the engine useful to restart the data collection and reset model parameters New reporting to capture data points at various intervals throughout the simulation. Useful to capture lead time, travel distance, and other statistics as objects progress from process to process |
| 10.0 | Jun. 2011 | SIMCAD ONLINE: With Simcad Pro Elite, users have access to Simcad Online, providing the ability to display the simulation model remotely via web interface 3D Visualization now includes ANIMATED 3D Objects Process and connection timing supporting rates on an object, weight and volume basis for continuous flow modeling Improved shift definition interface, including the ability to define holiday schedules SimTrack now allows timing merge Model Image/Visual Push to Web Interface/Dashboard - User Defined Interval Improved Process Timing definition Process Routing can now be determined at various times during the sequence - critical for animated 3D objects Improved Results Process update interval definition Improved control over object disassembly Improved user access to simulation date and time values Schedule in report/spreadsheet format is now automatically generated |
| 9.0 | 2008 | New Interface to simplify model building steps and provide a simplified interface for basic vs. advanced modeling Improved dynamic environment to allow for the addition of processes during the simulation run Excel Import/Export Wizard Scenario editor designed to simplify scenario analysis Wizard tool to enable the addition of model constraints and parameters quickly Improved 3D environment with added support for more file formats including SolidWorks 3D files Rollback feature that keeps track of your changes and stores model revision Resource schedule generator that provides the location and time spent per resource in a Gantt chart format Model tree – Displays the tree version of the model including all the process and connection line properties Advanced Conveyor controls Visio integration Process detail view with external document linking/connectivity Enhanced displays for onscreen KPIs |
| 8.0 | Jul. 2007 | Identify, justify, and prioritize process improvement opportunities Increase efficiency Reduce receiving and put-away time Optimize picking strategies Identify optimal shipping schedules Reduce cross traffic flow, improve safety, and increase efficiency Design an optimized facility layout Increase capacity and throughput without increasing costs Increase project ROI and maximize return on process improvement spending |
| 7.0 | Feb. 2005 | Initial release |