About the need for distributed simulation technology for the resolution of real-world manufacturing and logistics problems

Distributed simulation has undergone several cycles of ups and downs in recent years. Although successful in the military domain, it appears that the idea of applying distributed simulation in other fields for modeling and analysis of large-scale, heterogeneous systems such as communication networks or supply chains has still not taken off until today. Is this because of inherent limitations or lack of applicability as such? Or is it because of additional research issues that are yet to be resolved to make distributed simulation applicable? In this paper, the problem is discussed specifically with regard to the application of distributed simulation for design, operation and performance enhancement of manufacturing and logistics systems.