Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating movement of materials within a facility using predefined software objects is disclosed. The method includes storing a plurality of predefined software objects in a computer memory, each of the predefined software objects including one or more discrete event simulator commands and representing a process performed at a facility. The method also includes receiving, by one or more processors, an instruction to simulate movement of a material within a facility, and linking, by the one or more processors, two or more of the predefined software objects together to represent the movement of the material within the facility. The method further includes executing, by the one or more processors, the linked predefined software objects using a discrete event simulator to simulate the movement of the material within the facility.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically communicating updates between a computer-aided-design (CAD) module that generates a representation of the physical structure of a facility and a discrete event simulator (DES) module that simulates processes occurring within the facility is disclosed. The method may include establishing a communication link between the CAD module and the DES module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simulating a facility to achieve one or more business goals is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a processor, one or more input parameters for a discrete event simulator (DES) module for a facility, a plurality of business goals for the facility, and a selection of a goal optimization technique. The method also includes generating, by the processor, a DES output that simulates processes occurring within the facility based on the one or more input parameters and simultaneously achieves the business goals in accordance with the selected goal optimization technique.