Comparison of discrete event simulation tools in an academic environment

被引:5
|
作者
Jadric, Mario [1 ]
Cukusic, Maja [1 ]
Bralic, Antonia [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Split, Fac Econ, Cvite Fiskov 5, Split 21000, Croatia
关键词
discrete event simulation; tool evaluation; ExtendSim; Arena;
D O I
10.17535/crorr.2014.0008
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
A new research model for simulation software evaluation is proposed consisting of three main categories of criteria: modeling and simulation capabilities of the explored tools, and tools' input/output analysis possibilities, all with respective subcriteria. Using the presented model, two discrete event simulation tools are evaluated in detail using the task-centred scenario. Both tools (Arena and ExtendSim) were used for teaching discrete event simulation in preceding academic years. With the aim to inspect their effectiveness and to help us determine which tool is more suitable for students i.e. academic purposes, we used a simple simulation model of entities competing for limited resources. The main goal was to measure subjective (primarily attitude) and objective indicators while using the tools when the same simulation scenario is given. The subjects were first year students of Master studies in Information Management at the Faculty of Economics in Split taking a course in Business Process Simulations (BPS). In a controlled environment - in a computer lab, two groups of students were given detailed, step-by-step instructions for building models using both tools - first using ExtendSim then Arena or vice versa. Subjective indicators (students' attitudes) were collected using an online survey completed immediately upon building each model. Subjective indicators primarily include students' personal estimations of Arena and ExtendSim capabilities/features for model building, model simulation and result analysis. Objective indicators were measured using specialised software that logs information on user's behavior while performing a particular task on their computer such as distance crossed by mouse during model building, the number of mouse clicks, usage of the mouse wheel and speed achieved. The results indicate that ExtendSim is well preferred comparing to Arena with regards to subjective indicators while the objective indicators are better for Arena. Objectively, students completed the given scenario faster and with fewer movements in Arena, but they still prefer ExtendSim and perceive it as a better tool considering the characteristics and functionalities.
引用
收藏
页码:203 / 219
页数:17
相关论文
共 50 条
  • [1] Discrete event simulation in the NEURON environment
    Hines, ML
    Carnevale, NT
    [J]. COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE: TRENDS IN RESEARCH 2004, 2004, : 1117 - 1122
  • [2] A graphical discrete event simulation environment
    Au, G
    Paul, RJ
    [J]. INFOR, 1997, 35 (02) : 121 - 137
  • [3] Discrete event simulation in the NEURON environment
    Hines, ML
    Carnevale, NT
    [J]. NEUROCOMPUTING, 2004, 58 : 1117 - 1122
  • [4] DISTRIBUTED DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION IN AN INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT
    GEISER, A
    BURKHALTER, D
    RIMVALL, M
    [J]. DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION, 1989, 1989, 21 : 126 - 130
  • [5] Discrete event simulation implemented in a virtual environment
    Kelsick, J
    Vance, JM
    Buhr, L
    Moller, C
    [J]. JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN, 2003, 125 (03) : 428 - 433
  • [6] Simulation of human performance in a discrete event environment
    Kozine, I.
    [J]. Safety and Reliability for Managing Risk, Vols 1-3, 2006, : 355 - 362
  • [7] CONCURRENT DISCRETE EVENT-DRIVEN SIMULATION TOOLS
    PHILLIPS, CI
    CUTHBERT, LG
    [J]. IEEE JOURNAL ON SELECTED AREAS IN COMMUNICATIONS, 1991, 9 (03) : 477 - 485
  • [8] DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION SOFTWARE TOOLS FOR THE SIMULATION OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
    KOCHHAR, AK
    MA, XP
    [J]. SIMULATION APPLIED TO MANUFACTURING ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING, 1989, : 13 - 18
  • [9] ACCELERATED TIME DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION IN A DISTRIBUTED ENVIRONMENT
    COOK, DA
    POOCH, UW
    [J]. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMS SCIENCE, 1993, 24 (03) : 451 - 478
  • [10] Performance prediction tools for parallel discrete-event simulation
    Lim, CC
    Low, YH
    Gan, BP
    Jain, S
    Cai, WT
    Hsu, WJ
    Huang, SY
    [J]. THIRTEENTH WORKSHOP ON PARALLEL AND DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION - PROCEEDINGS, 1999, : 148 - 155