ExtendSim Through the Years

Graphical user interface (GUI) for model building

GUI integrated with a simulation programming language for custom development

Includes libraries of blocks (modeling components) for template-based simulation

Blocks are pre-compiled and open source

Interactive during model run

Extensive list of simulation-specific and general purpose functions

Compiled programming language with message handlers

Added discrete event capability Extend 1.1

Import/export data using menu commands

Additional support for batch and Monte Carlo simulations

Bi-directional flow of data at connectors

Copy and paste blocks and model segments onto the worksheet

Autoscaling of plots

Global variables and ability to pass arrays through connectors

Hierarchical model building - unlimited layers of submodels

Notebook for documentation and centralized input/output

Cloning (functional duplicates) of dialog items onto worksheet or Notebook

Customizable 2D animation of block icons

Messaging architecture for discrete event blocks

Controls (sliders, switches, and meters) for interactive modeling

Global functions and processes so blocks can communicate without connections

Sensitivity analysis

Customizable reports and trace files

Dynamic interface to Microsoft Excel

Create, open, and edit text (ASCII) files

Include files so developers can simplify library maintenance

Windows 3.1, 95, and NT 3.5 compatible version

Throw and Catch blocks - pass discrete event items without connections

New Statistics library: confidence intervals, clearing statistics, random seed control, etc.

Preemptive transactions and reneging queues

New DLL functions

Dynamic data exchange (DDE) for Windows and AppleEvents for Macintosh

Native support for the Power Macintosh

Long file names for Windows 95

Tool tips for tools, blocks, and block dialog items

New Popup Menu dialog item for block developers

Activity based costing

Tabbed dialogs and dynamic data tables

Global and local time units

Hot-link to Microsoft Excel and other apps

Popup lists of animation objects for discrete event items

Resource pools

Import AutoCad v12 files

Direct linking to distribution fitting programs

Support for 2.5D animation, with Proof Animation

Scripting to programmatically place, connect, and move blocks

Global arrays and scriptable wizards for developers

Enhanced Find capability

Right mouse button support

Arrow keys to move blocks on worksheet

Improved dialogs in Queue blocks

Line number displayed in ModL code editor

Color coded comments in ModL code editor

Optimizer - open source

Shift block for scheduled shutdowns

New Help system and electronic documentation

SDI Industry Flow library for rate-based modeling

SDI Industry database for data management

Drag and drop support for ActiveX controls, OLE Automation

ODBC support

Interactive source code debugger and over 100 new functions

Explorer-type model Navigator

Zoom /expand control button

Run multiple models simultaneously

Save intermediate results

Multiple icon views

Hide/show block connectors

Object rotation and colored borders

Code completion and colorization

Override functions and message handlers

Linked lists

Watchpoints in source code debugger

Product extensively remodeled; product name changed to "ExtendSim"

Added 3D animation with over 100 pre-built 3D objects, plus sounds, shadows, and trails

Next generation intergrated, graphical, relational databases for managing data

Dynamic data links (DDL) between block dialogs and ExtendSim database tables or global arrays

Next generation Item, Value, and Rate libraries replace Discrete Event, BPR, MFG, Generic, and Flow libraries

Scalable blocks, connectors, and tables

Unified interface for data source managment using Read/Write blocks

More extensive statistical reports, plus mouse over connectors to view input or output values during run

Unlimited number of inputs/outputs for equation blocks

Calendar dates and times

String and database attributes

Enhanced data table interface for input/output (column tags)

Use of LP technology to provide global oversite for calculations in discrete rate modeling

#IFDEF and #IFNDEF statements for conditional compilation

Watch points on arrays; debugger jump

Scenario Manager

One of the more notable features added to ExtendSim 8 was the Scenario Manager. It gives the MOST COMPLETE understanding of how a model reacts to different factors. Explore projected outcomes as the Scenario Manager varies model inputs. Results change as the input changes; thus, run multiple experiments with the same model.

Essentially, the ExtendSim Scenario Manager keeps track of multiple what-if models, all based on the same model. It does this by assigning a named scenario to each combination of variables you choose to examine. For example, create best-, worst-, and typical-case assumptions for input values. Then recall each of these scenarios to see how the model behaves under different conditions. For comparative analysis, recall scenarios in combination, such as best-case sales and worst-case costs.

Advanced Resource Management

The addition of Advanced Resource Management (ARM) in ExtendSim provided an integrated system for organizing resources, distinguishing between them, and allocating them throughout a model. ARM provides a convenient and straightforward way to define complex resource requirements for items and a flexible set of rules for how resources get allocated to them. Plus, it provides automated methods for quickly changing resource information and generating statistical reports.

The ExtendSim ARM system's organization and allocation architecture is fueled by an ExtendSim database that represents, manages, and tracks the states and properties of resources, pools, groups, and allocation and release rules. Six blocks on the ExtendSim roster form the ExtendSim Advanced Resource Management team. At the heart of the ARM is the Resource Manager providing a convenient dialog-based interface.

Equation capabilities were enhanced in ExtendSim 8

The Equation Editor was added to most equation-based blocks as a separate, scrollable window to view, enter, and edit equations.

Equation-based blocks got their own debugging tools so you could now set breakpoints and conditions for equations, step through lines of code, and examine values of variables.

When a set of commands (definitions, assignments, or functions) have multiple uses, the added ability for equation-based block to call include files simplified model maintenance. These include files allow functions and message handlers to be overwritten and compilation to be conditional.

Sophisticated tools to search database tables for the best record appeared in ExtendSim 8 with the introduction of the Query Equation and Query Equation(I) blocks. These blocks have proven to be indispensable when a database holds information that is required for making decisions in a model.

Other new blocks introduced in ExtendSim 8

Block Info
Reports information about the block connected to its input connector.

DBStatistics
Calculates a set of basic statistics for all of the records in a database field.

Event Monitor
Displays the event calendar in discrete event models, revealing the event times for all event posting blocks.

Link Alert
Registers a section of a database so that the block receives a message when data in the linked database changes.

Model Interface
Creates an interface for controlling a model.

Memory Usage
Calculates the amount of memory required for each block, global array, or database table in the model. It is helpful in locating where memory is being used in large models.

MYOB DB Dialogs
Shows how to develop ExtendSim database popup menus.

Slider
Provides a flexible slider for models. It can be cloned to the worksheet or Notebook, be linked to a database, and more.

Time-saving Shift-Click was added in 8 to open a dialog in which you may choose which block or feature should get a given variable. Shift-Click an appropriate dialog item to add variables to the Find, Optimizer, Scenario Manager, and Statistics blocks as well as for Sensitivity Analysis and in custom block development.

Plus many user-requested functions, system variables, and message handlers.

New Statistics (DB) Report
Statistics (DB) report contains final values for output parameters. Statistical data from each simulation run is stored in an ExtendSim database, organized by block type so that there is one table per type of block. Blocks included in the report can be all blocks in the model or a user-defined subset of the blocks. Report tables can be exported to external databases or Excel when the simulation is complete. Of course, ExtendSim’s existing text-based reports have been maintained, but the new Statistics (DB) report provides better organization, presentation, and accessibility of model results. This sample report shows resource usage in a healthcare model.
ADO Database Support (Windows only)
Communicate with the most commonly used external databases. ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) provides built-in import and export support for Microsoft Access, SQL Server, and MySQL. ADO sends an entire table of information at one time, providing high-speed data interchange. ADO is faster and easier to use than ODBC and it does not require defining a data source name (DSN) before accessing data. It automatically configures the ExtendSim database when importing and the external database when exporting. Plus mirrors fields and records between the source and its destination. For example, here is the dialog of the Data Import/Export block configured for ADO Import from a SQLServer database into an ExtendSim database. The ADO interface is designed so that the modeler can access an ADO database by adding a Data Import/Export block to the model and selecting the internal and external data sources.
Flow Attributes
Enhancing ExtendSim’s unique discrete-rate technology, flow attributes track the properties of the type of product that is modeled as a continuous "flow" in a discrete event environment. Examples of flow include bulk material such as grain or ore, liquids and gases, and product in a high-speed production line. A flow attribute is a quality or characteristic of flow that stays with it as it moves through the model, such as type, product, color, and so forth. Flow attributes provide information about the flow and allow you to organize quantities or volumes of flow into layers. The entire set of attribute values assigned to a particular layer is what distinguishes it from other layers. In other words, all the units of flow in a layer possess the same set of flow attribute values. Flow attribute usage includes: The flow held in a Tank can be organized into individual, distinct layers. This allows you to control where incoming flow is deposited and which type of outgoing flow next exits. Flow can be routed through the Merge and Diverge blocks based on flow attribute values. Attributes are assigned to the flow by the model builder. They become linked to sections of flow that pass through the blocks, according to settings in the blocks’ dialogs. The flow held in a Tank can be organized into individual, distinct layers. This allows you to control where incoming flow is deposited and which type of outgoing flow next exits.
Excel Add-In
The ExtendSim DB Add-In for Excel works with database text files to transfer data between an ExtendSim database and Microsoft Excel. Excel has become the ubiquitous repository for simulation data and is often used for ad-hoc analysis. However, because of performance and scalability issues, Excel is a less-than-ideal database. To bridge the gap between Excel as a data repository and the ExtendSim database, we created an Excel Add-In that allowed exported ExtendSim database text files to be imported into Excel for editing, then exported back to ExtendSim. ExtendSim 9 contains an entirely new version of the Add-In that supports most of the construction and editing features available in ExtendSim. This means that you can completely specify a new ExtendSim database in Excel, including parent/child relationships, cell randomization, named distributions, and more. Afterwards, export the database for use in ExtendSim models. In addition, the new Add-In leverages the latest Excel features such as ribbon interface, XML-based file format, and 1 million rows/16,000 columns. Plus, database consistency checking is now faster and has expanded capabilities.
Item Logging
Track items and their states as they move through a simulation. In addition to the existing ExtendSim trace features, the Item Log Manager (ILM) block supports customized data collection and report configuration from within ExtendSim by doing two things: During the simulation run, the ILM block directs other blocks in the model to collect data on items as they pass through. These “remote” data collecting blocks include History, Activity, Queue, Queue Equation, and Resource Item. Each of these blocks can be remotely instructed to collect specific item property information for the ILM through its “Data Collection” tab. Once the remote blocks have collected the data, the ILM packages it into a report. You can control which types of data are included in the report and the order in which the data appears. This is done on the ILM block's “Configure Log” tab. Once the run is complete, any number of reports can be generated from the data that has been collected in the remote blocks. These reports can be generated after each run either automatically or manually. Item loggingAny number of ILM blocks can be used in any one model with each ILM block responsible for generating its own report. The ILM also supports generating reports across multiple runs. This screenshot is an example log of aircraft operations, showing the individual plane ID’s and their corresponding entry and exit times through various points in the model.
Templates Library
Speed up model building by using pre-built templates for common modeling situations. These templates are actually submodels within hierarchical blocks - constructs created in ExtendSim by combining just a few blocks together. ExtendSim’s Templates library blocks are similar to standard blocks in that they contain an icon, help, blocks, and animation that can be used directly by the modeler. However, they contain the combined functionality of many blocks. As with any ExtendSim block, simply drag a block from the Templates library into the model and change the parameters to reflect a specific modeling situation. Template library blocks include: Activity (cycle-based shutdown) Activity (load / unload) Create (arrivals vary by time) Queue (batch all items) Queue (dump contents) Queue (hold until quantity reached) Queue (random renege)
Smart Connections
Intelligent connection line control better automates the modeling process when moving blocks around. Imagine That has developed a series of features collectively called “smart connections” that allow the modeler to quickly and easily modify models by moving blocks into strategic positions. Bump to Connect   When a block from the Item or Rate library is placed in the model and its input connector is placed on an output connector of the same type, ExtendSim will automatically connect the blocks, spaces them evenly, and aligns the connectors. Auto Insert   Drop a block onto an existing connection line so either the block's input or the output connector is on that connection line. Smart connections will increase the spacing between the existing blocks and insert the new block inline between two existing blocks. Connection Routing   If a block is moved, ExtendSim will reroute the connection lines so they will not cross over the icon of the block.
Other New Blocks
Get(R) and Set(R)
Both the Get(R) and Set(R) blocks support the Rate library's new flow attributes feature. The Set(R) block is for setting value or string flow attributes. The Get(R) block displays either multiple flow attributes from one location or one flow attribute from multiple locations.
Meter
Provides more flexibility and features than the Meter control (Model>Controls>Meter). For example, the color and pattern of the indicator change when the current value has reached specified high and low values. Use the Meter block as a progress bar or to animate a hierarchical block.
Other New Features Added in ExtendSim 9
Equation-based blocks
New input and output variables in equation-based blocks. Options added in equation-based blocks that provide more control as to when the equation executes.
Data import
New options for importing a named range of data from Excel.
Interval statistics
Record the mean, variance, confidence interval, and standard deviation at specific intervals during the simulation using interval statistics.
Quantile statistics
Can now be calculated within ExtendSim.
Multi-component failure modeling
New options are available for multi-component failure modeling.
Functions & message handlers
There are a number of new functions and message handlers.

 

UI and Block Enhancements

String Attributes

If a change is made to the value of a string attribute, all the blocks that were referencing the old attribute value will now reference the new value.

If the index for the value of a string attribute changes (the order of the values for the string attribute change), all the blocks that were referencing that value will be alerted to the change in location.

Changes to string attribute values defined in the database are now error checked at the beginning of the run. This provides more freedom to manipulate databases without having to worry about losing critical pieces of information.

A new string attribute interface in the Executive block allows modelers to make global changes to string values that are referenced in other blocks in the model.

Speed Improvements

Models with blocks that don’t have Simulate messages execute faster in ExtendSim 9.

Linked list optimization speeds up the performance of Item library queues and the blocks in the Rate library.

Other Application Enhancements

ExtendSim Database

Automatically resizes itself based on the number of rows in the imported data.

Variable names

The upper limit of the variable name length for static and local variables has been increased from 63 to 127 characters.

Data tables

Double-clicking the upper left cell of a data table linked to a database goes directly to the database view of that table.

Block Profile

Reports results even if the simulation ends prematurely.

Shift capabilities

ExtendSim’s shift capabilities are enhanced and interfaced with additional blocks.

All ExtendSim blocks

Have been enhanced so that fewer blocks are required to build many models.

E3D

Mount nodes on custom 3D objects have been increased from 8 to 20.

Enhancements to Equation-Based Blocks

Additional input and output variables in most blocks.

New checkboxes in the Options tab control the execution of the equation.

Equation blocks now support static variables that have been declared in include files.

Query Equation (AT and Suite only) has new input variables.

Value Library Enhancements

Data Import Export

• Incorporates the new ADO capability.

• New option to import named range from Excel spreadsheet.

• Database field names can be exported to Excel.

• When importing from Excel, the number of rows in the database automatically adjust.

Mean & Variance

• Collects interval statistics for a specified time period. At the end of the period it reports the calculated statistics, clears the statistics, and begins a new reporting period.

• Has quantiles so you can see what proportion of the observations fell within an interval.

Item Library Enhancements

Residence blocks - Activity, Queue, Queue Equation, and Workstation

Added variable item input connectors to each block to allow the merging of multiple item streams. This functionality works the same as the Select Item In block’s Merge option.

Activity

• Two new value inputs:

• PC (Processing Cost) allows users to target different processing costs on different items.

• CPI (Cost Per Item) attaches a unique CPI to each item.

• One new value output:

• TE (Total Items Exited)

• If preempting with items, attributes on the preempting item can be transferred to the preempted item.

Executive

Added variable connectors for events.

Gate

Now allows the Shift block to control its behavior.

History

• Provides more control over data collection in ExtendSim 9, plus has new options for handling data storage in multi-run scenarios.

• A checkbox on the Options tab causes data to be stored in a database table at the end of each run.

Query Equation (I) AT and Suite only

Added targeted querying and two new input variables.

Queue Equation

Gained new input and output variables.

Queue Matching

New “recipe” building and batching capabilities added.

Read (I) and Write (I)

These blocks have new options for querying where to read and write data.

Scenario Manager AT and Suite only

Supports the optimal design of experiments (DOE) method for Minitab 16, a statistical software product from Minitab Inc.

Shift

Allows modelers to display a symbol on block icons if a specific Shift block is used.

Shutdown

• Separate and independent polices can be specified for both Shift and connector-based scheduled shutdowns.

• Off-shift downs (OFD) connector reports the number of shutdowns due to off shifting.

• Accumulated off-shift downtime (OST) connector reports the amount of time the block has been down due to off shifting.

• The “multiple components” option has new capabilities:

• The matching feature allows one master failure table to represent multiple failure points in a model.

• Summary failure data for each component.

• Component state and dependency/independency options.

• Block state versus component state reports.

Transport

Now has an option to prevent items from passing each other when traveling through the block.

Rate Library Enhancements

Flow Attributes

• Characteristics of the flow such as type, product, color, and so forth can be associated with each specified volume of flow.

• Two types of flow attributes are supported: layer and string layer.

Contents tab

Each Rate block that holds/provides flow has a Contents tab showing the attribute values of its flow by volume.

Interchange

Now includes a matrix for converting item attributes into flow attributes and vice versa.

Tank

Provides multiple options for defining how the incoming and outgoing flow should be layered.

New Functions, Message Handlers, & Global Variables 

In addition to the functions listed below, include files are useful when creating custom blocks. To see a block’s include file, open the block’s structure. Then give the menu command Develop > Open Include Files.
New ModL Functions
blockRect clearUndo DBAddressGetAllIndexes DBDatabaseOpenViewerToTab DBDatabaseTabChangeName DBDatabaseTabDelete DBDataGetCurrentSeed DBDataSetCurrentSeed DBFieldExists DBRecordExists dialogRefresh EquationCompileSetStaticArray fileChoose INetFileImportText INetOpenURL lastSetDialogVariableString whoInvoked WinSetForegroundWindow
New Message Handlers and Global Variables
ModifyRunParameter BlockReceive5-9 SysGlobal20-29 SysGlobalInt30-59
ADO (ActiveX Data Object) Functions
These functions are used to communicate between ExtendSim and external databases. They are not part of the ExtendSim application but instead are located in the “ADO_DBFunctions v9.h” include file.
ADO_Setup ADO_Close ADO_OpenConnection ADO_GetNumTables ADO_GetTables ADO_GetTableColumns ADO_SetTableColumns ADO_AddRecords ADO_SQLServerGetServers ADO_SQLSserverGetDatabases ADO_CreateTable ADO_GetFields ADO_GetNumRows ADO_GetNumFields ADO_ExecuteNonQuery ADO_ExecuteQuery ConvertADODataType ConvertExtendSimDataType DB_FieldGetTypeString ADO_CheckCompatableFieldType

Smart Blocks

Right-click on the output connector of an Item or Rate library block and this feature will pop up a list of suggested blocks to connect to.

Uses ExtendSim scripting functionality and an adaptive learning algorithm to seamlessly generate and continuously update the list of suggested blocks based on how you model.

New blocks

History(R) Rate library

Records a history of rate values over time.

Model Compare Utilities library

Compares model results before and after running a model.

Enhanced blocks

Real Timer Utilities library

Analyze model performance using the block profiling capability added to the Real Timer block.

Data Import Export Value library

Wild Card feature for table and worksheet names in the Data Import Export block.

Automated test environment

Simplifies the process of comparing simulation results between two ExtendSim releases – it identifies any differences between models that were saved in a previous release and those same models run in the new release.

Compares simulation results before and after making changes to a model.

If there is no Results tab, the entire dialog is used.

Improved Smart Connections

Bump to Connect, automatically connects a new block to an existing block and spaces them apart.

Auto Insert inserts a new block between two existing blocks and automatically increases the spacing between them.

Enable/disable Smart Connections using an option in the Edit > Options > Model tab.

Improved Auto Route Connection Lines

Intelligent connection line control anticipates how you want the connections between Item and Rate connectors to behave when you move blocks.

Enable/disable Auto Route Connection Liness using an option in the Edit > Options > Model tab.

New/changed options in the Edit > Options > Model tab

Auto Route Connection Lines

Smart Connections (Bump to Connect and Auto Insert)

Both options only apply to Item and Flow connectors (Item and Rate library blocks)

Improved Advanced Resource Management (ARM)

If an allocated resource goes off shift, and the item it's allocated to is in the Activity, you now have the option to either shut the item down or renege it.

New and changed functions and message handlers

Message handler

• OldFileUpdate -- Sent if the file version is older than the application version

Functions

• ProfileBlockGet -- Returns the block profile results for a specified block

• GetRunParameter -- Similar to GetRunParameterLong except returns a real rather than an integer

• ConArrayGetNthCon2 -- Same as ConArrayGetNthCon except it has an additional argument to specify the connector on a different block.

• GetBlockTypePosition -- Two new values for Type: 5 (embedded object) and 6 (blockControl)

File format change

Due to architectural changes in ExtendSim 9.1, files created and saved in 9.1 are not backwards compatible so are not readable by ExtendSim 9.0.

Improved performance and precision

Data Specs Value library

Modified so it tightly restricts conditions under which an entire database or table can be registered, decreasing runtimes.

Executive Item library

A new method for reusing deleted item indexes enhances performance for discrete event models.

Read(I), Resource item, Set, Write(I) Item library

Improved runtimes by increasing performance.

Interchange Rate library

Enhanced precision.

Value library

Data Specs, Equation, Read, and Write

Added right-click ability to automatically add a named connection.

Equation

If equation debugging has been turned on, a red box shows up on the inside of an equation's icon.

Mean & Variance

Added first value as the initial value for time weighted statistics.

Write

Significantly modified and improved exporting to text files.

Item library

History

Checkbox saves memory by disabling the recording of information during a simulation run.

Queue Matching

Transfers ARM resources from inbound items to non-preserved batched items.

Transport

The “Do Not Pass” option is now available when the delay is set, not just when speed or speed and distance is selected.

Rate library

Diverge & Merge

Two new options to maintain outflow attribute values - when inflow effective rate is 0 and when all attribute values are Blank.

History(R)

Checkbox saves memory by disabling the recording of information during a simulation run.

Valve

Added a shutdown option, utilization statistics, and pie chart animation option. Plus information when the quantity and goal quantity had last been calculated and option to ignore a new goal under specific conditions.

Advanced Resource Management (ARM) Enhancements

Non-Preserved Batching

Advanced resources attached to items entering a batching block (Batch and Queue Matching) are now transferred to the batched item. Note: This only applies to non-preserved batching.

Non-Preserved Unbatching

Advanced resources attached to an item entering the Unbatch or Query Equation(I) block are now shared equally across all of the unbatched or “spawned” items. These shared resources have a “shared count”. As the cloned items holding shared resources go through release blocks, the resources’ shared counts are decremented.

Non-Redundant Resource Allocation

If ARM resources are already attached to an item as it enters an ARM queue in the Queue and Queue Equation blocks, those attached resources are now used to help satisfy the new allocation requirement wherever possible.

Exclude Resource Release Options

The Resource Release block now has the option to exclude certain resources from release based on that resources’ ability to satisfy one or more specified requirements. This is a way to retain resources on an item that will be used to satisfy some future downstream allocation requirement.

New item property "ARM Resource Order ID" in Get, History, and Item Log Manager blocks (Item library).

New input variable "AR Order ID" added to equation-based blocks reads an item's advanced resource order ID.

New system property "_AR Order ID". The value of this property is the record index in the Resource Orders table.

Plotter library

Plotter, Discrete Event

Added a checkbox that saves memory by disabling the recording of information during a run.

Utilities library

Model Compare

Added “Ignore blank values in original model” checkbox.

Pause Sim

Resume option can also initiate a model run. New button runs the model if it is not running, pauses if it is running, and resumes if paused.

Real Timer

Snapshot option creates a profile each time the block receives a message.

New function & Message handler

DLLMakeProcInstanceLibrary

Includes the library name so the user can specify in which library to look for the routine.

BlockSelect message handler.

Quality and Stability Improvements

In addition to adding new features in the 9.2 release, we improved its quality and stability.